Interview with Paddy Wallace: Gerry Thornleyon the long and grinding road that eventually led to Paddy Wallace starting at number 10 in an Ireland shirt tomorrow
Paddy Wallace has told the story before but it's worth repeating. Last November he took a step back in order to take two forward by reverting to his natural position of outhalf with Ballymena. One particularly dark day soon after helped him see the light.
He and Paul Shields were driving back from a heavy defeat away to Shannon. He had four stitches in his head and a perforated eardrum. Shields had hurt his knee ligaments. They looked at each other and wondered where it had all gone wrong.
Ireland's outhalf in the 1998 Under-19 World Cup triumph resolved, there and then, to change his diet, his training regime with Phil Morrow at Ulster, and he made a conscious effort to improve everything in his game.
He was given further sustenance by a friend sending him a newspaper interview with Jerry Flannery, in which Ireland's international rookie of the year spoke of his days with Shannon and Connacht as an invaluable stepping stone to where Wallace wanted to go, to play for Ireland.
The hand of fate has dealt Wallace a fickle hand. An Ulster schools player, he always had both the genes and the skills to stand out in his generation. He played outhalf for three years on the Campbell College team, playing alongside his older brother Rory, an inside centre, in the first year, although he experienced three losing Ulster Schools' Cup quarter-finals.
Rory followed the example of his father, Paul (who also played for Ballymena and London Irish), by playing for Trinity, but Paddy, and indeed the third brother, Neil, broke the family tradition by going to UCD when he combined rugby there with a degree at the Business and Marketing College.
In his first year at UCD, Paddy duly played against Rory, in his last year at Trinity, in the annual colours match, watched by their father.
"That was a fun day for the family," recalls Wallace, his grin indicating he has the bragging rights forever more from the brothers' only competitive meeting.
A try-scoring outhalf in Ireland's 18-0 win over the hosts France in a rain-sodden final in Toulouse to the Under-19 World Cup in 1998, alas his bad luck started almost immediately as he suffered the first of two broken legs the following year. Behind both David Humphreys and Niall Malone in the Ulster pecking order of outhalves anyway, Wallace saw out his three years with UCD and was then offered a contract with his native province under Alan Solomons' new regime.
He was converted almost immediately into a fullback when Bryn Cunningham was injured. "I played a lot of rugby at fullback, which I suppose stunted my growth as an outhalf a wee bit, you know the old utility player tag I was labelled with, which is not what I wanted, but then again I was glad of the game time."
If he has been a victim of his versatility, the rewards of a belated first cap would have come sooner but for a cruelly-timed run of injuries. In 2002, Wallace was picked on the Ireland squad for the trip to Russia for the World Cup qualifier, was dropped the same week by Ulster, but came on as a replacement for Cunningham the following Saturday away to Swansea only to suffer a broken leg and withdraw from the Russia trip.
He was also named on the Ireland squad for the 2003 summer tour to Australia, Tonga and Samoa, but broke his toe prior to departure; Mark McHugh won his first cap at fullback in Tonga.
Helped, ironically, by an injury to Johnny Bell, Wallace still made the World Cup squad of 30 but remained unused in all of Ireland's five games and returned, as from more Ireland squad selections than he can remember, uncapped.
Again Wallace was picked on the Ireland squad for the two-Test tour to Japan two summers ago while Ireland's Lions were otherwise engaged. Playing in a warm-up match behind closed doors in Lansdowne Road, Wallace suffered a broken bone in his hand and was again forced to cry off. His replacement, Jeremy Staunton, duly replaced Humphreys in both games.
"I suppose I've been dealt a rough hand," he admits. "It does hit you mentally. It was tough times for a month or so after each of those injuries when you're lying about the house. At least when you're doing rehab you've something to focus on."
His talent never went away, and even when looking somewhat marooned at fullback, you could still see it. But, blessed with a turn of pace, elusiveness, fantastic hands and an ability to play head-up rugby flat on the gain line, fullback never really suited his talents.
Coupled with a game noted for its flair, his beach-blonde dyed hair and star appeal with the younger Ulster fraternity, possibly didn't convey an image of someone who took his rugby seriously enough.
Married to Christina, who is expecting their first child, he admits his priorities have changed now. "I'd certainly like to be seen as an improved rugby player rather than just thought of as 'there's Paddy Wallace with the blond hair', you know."
In conversation with Mark McCall last season, they came to the joint conclusion that fullback was not the position he was going to pursue, and rather than go stale as understudy to Humphreys on the bench, Wallace returned to playing regularly at outhalf with Ballymena.
"It exposed me to regular rugby, albeit at AIL level, which was better than sitting on the bench or holding bags in training."
Like those other misused and disaffected "utility" outhalves, Staunton, Barry Everitt and Andy Dunne, Wallace considered moving, most notably an end-of-season loan deal with a view to a permanent move to Castres last term after McCall gave him free reito look elsewhere.
Castres wouldn't commit to a longer-term deal. "On my way to sign the contract, I got a phone call from my agent saying that "Ulster say no". It was disappointing at the time but when I came back Mark said 'what's done is done, you'll be back in the 22 and covering centre as well' because Kevin Maggs was injured at the time."
He was again helped by another injury to Bell (who is never slow to remind him of this) within five minutes of the next game. Wallace was given an extended run at inside centre toward the end of Ulster's successful Celtic League campaign and has held down the position this season.
"I'm enjoying 12 much more than I enjoyed fullback," he says, unsurprisingly. "When I'm playing fullback I feel more separated from the game. I'm the kind of player, I think, who needs to have hands on the ball, and using players around me with my handling. That doesn't happen at fullback. You're a strike runner or a kick returner, and I didn't enjoy that aspect too much."
Always picking up tips about his kicking technique from Humphreys, playing next to the old maestro has also reinforced for him the importance of being more vocal - not a perceived strength of Wallace's game - and decision-making. He's also been struck by Ronan O'Gara's sheer professionalism during the last month in Camp Ireland, and has worked hard on his kicking with Mark Tainton.
Wallace's rise hasn't exactly been an overnight success story, but he seems better prepared now. It's a big chance, a big pressure game for him, but it's worth recalling that Humphreys played the best rugby of his career in his late 20s and early 30s, and as O'Gara's current form shows, outhalf is the kind of position that requires experience.
It can be a steep learning curve.
"I guess it's the ambition that drives me. It's been a long time coming, but I guess having got the cap against South Africa, that's a weight off my shoulders because everybody wants to play for their country. Having got that monkey off my back, it gives you more of a hunger to take the next level.
"I've got a real taste for this now, I don't want just a couple of caps beside my name. I want to work hard at becoming a much better player. Sunday is going to be a big test for me but one I'm relishing."
15 NORMAN LIGAIRI(Brive Corrèze and Fiji)
Age: 30. Height: 184cm. Weight: 100kg Caps: 40 Fiji and four Pacific Islands.
Makes up a quality back three. Combines the natural sevens instincts with a security that allows him command the last line of defence, although his positional sense will be tested here.
14 LOME FA'ATAU ( Hurricanes and Samoa)
Age: 31. Height: 184cm. Weight: 93kg. Caps: 15 and four.
The top try scorer in this year's Super 14 competition is the biggest threat to Ireland's defence. Denis Hickie will have studied his movements in what is yet another mouthwatering head-to-head battle.
13 SERU RABENI(Leicester and Fiji)
Age: 27. Height: 181cm. Weight: 102kg. Caps: 21 and five.
Geordan Murphy's team-mate will be keen to decapitate the Irish captain. Hugely intimidating force of nature, much like Lote Tuqiri, who failed to make an impression last Sunday.
12 ELVIS SEVEALI'I(Sale and Samoa)
Age: 28. Height: 190cm. Weight: 96kg. Caps: 14 and one.
Another fascinating match up between Shane Horgan and Elvis. Brings a physicality that has made him a crowd favourite at what is currently the best team in the English premiership.
11 KAMELI RATUVOU(Saracens and Fiji)
Age: 24. Height: 183cm. Weight: 93kg. Caps: 11 and two.
Stand-out player on tour thus far with three tries from outside centre. Charged with filling the shoes of Rupeni Caucaunibuca, he will not miss an opportunity to run directly at Luke Fitzgerald.
10 TUSI PISI(Crusaders and Samoa)
Age: 24. Height: 183cm. Weight: 91kg. Caps: Zero and two.
Recently signed up as Dan Carter's understudy at the Crusaders, and the fact he is yet to tog out for Samoa makes him a potential All Black. The kicking game required to survive the Lansdowne winter experience will test his credentials to the full. On a dry day he can rip apart any back line.
9 MOSES RAULUNI(Saracens and Fiji)
Age: 31. Height: 176cm. Weight: 92kg. Caps: 34 and five.
Quality player, with the natural Fijian impulse to run from everywhere but also brings a physicality that will test the Irish pillars around the ruck.
1 JUSTIN VA'A(Glasgow and Samoa)
Age: 28. Height: 185cm. Weight: 127kg. Caps: Nine and one.
Samoan international actually hails from Wainuiomata, outside Wellington, which is rugby league territory and also the home of Tana Umaga. Has the ability to play on either side of the scrum.
2 ALEKI LUTUI(Worcester and Tonga)
Age: 28. Height: 189cm. Weight 114kg. Caps: Five and three.
Explosive hooker with Super 14 experience but also making his first start on tour, probably as a result of the poor lineout return against Wales and Scotland.
3 TEVITA TAUMOEPEAU(Worcester and Tonga)
Age: 31. Height: 184cm. Weight: 117kg. Caps: 35 and three.
The only ever -present in the front row on tour. His familiarity with the scrummaging techniques of clubmate Lutui should ensure Bryan Young's inexperience will be targeted.
4 SIMON RAIWALUI(Saracens and Fiji, Captain)
Age: 32. Height: 201cm. Weight: 123kg. Caps: 43 and two.
Vastly experienced lock who recently came out of international retirement. Would be familiar with Paul O'Connell from European Cup encounters.
5 DANIEL LEO(Wasps and Samoa)
Age: 24. Height: 198cm. Weight: 110kg. Caps: 12 and two.
The ideal foil to the hulking Raiwalui. His athleticism sees him occasionally play in the back row for Wasps. Will be keen to show off a decent sidestep if afforded the opportunity.
6 MA'AMA MOLITIKA(IBM, Japan, and Tonga)
Age: 30. Height: 196cm. Weight: 106kg. Caps: 28 and zero.
This rugby wanderer has had spells in Scotland, England and Wales before moving to the Japanese league. Replacing the suspended Viliami Vaki, he brings a similarly uncompromising style to proceedings. Peter Stringer and Paddy Wallace will top the target list for some Tongan-style hits.
7 NILI LATU(Chiefs and Tonga)
Age: 24. Height: 185cm. Weight: 99kg. Caps: six and two.
Another ever-present on tour. His tackle count (body count?) is the primary feature of his game. Having just broken into the Chiefs Super 14 team is on a similarly upward curve to Stephen Ferris.
8 HALE T-POLE(Highlanders and Tonga)
Age: 27. Height: 193cm. Weight: 100kg. Cap: 1.
T-Pole excelled when the Lions laboured past Southland on last year's tour of New Zealand, scoring a memorable try. Brings a wealth of Super 14 experience to this historic occasion.
- Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY
