RUGBY ANALYST:The summer tour will give the international coaches a chance to run a proper rule over the up-and-coming prospects
SOMETHING STRUCK me while watching Michael Noonan on Frontline this week. Here was a Limerick man, a famous politician, articulating the heartbreaking struggle his family have endured over the years. It struck me because another famous Limerick man has had his struggle recently. Of course, although it has forced him to cry off from the trip to New Zealand and Australia, it was for an infinitely more minor issue: a groin injury.
Regardless, it caused me to wonder how our fair isle would react if Lions and Munster captain Paul O’Connell, all 6ft 6in and 17½st of him, missed the Irish tour Down Under having been diagnosed with dementia? Surely it would force us all to reassess the position in which families such as the Noonans find themselves and their constant struggle. I’m sure the system that is focusing on O’Connell’s groin would quickly pour all its resources into solutions and support for dementia.
But, of course, he is not old and the system is unlikely to have to deal with such an eventuality.
Of course, the worrying thing for O’Connell is not his age but the talent coming through each year that will eventually usurp him in Munster and Ireland. Much of that talent is on display tomorrow (6.10pm kick-off, Irish) in Argentina when the Ireland Under-20s take on their French counterparts. Most clubs in Ireland recognise the value of their Under-21 structure, but, truth be told, all the focus is on the senior side. This is a mistake, as the best way to ensure a culture continues is to blend both groups. The young talent can learn from the wizened old heads. But, crucially, the senior coaches can mould the future before it arrives.
This will be seen over the coming months at international level in New Zealand and Australia, but in particular tonight in Thomond Park: four uncapped players in a helter skelter match against world-class opposition. What gameplan they’ll bring in the famous Baba’s jersey is anyone’s guess. How much sleep they’ll have had is also an unknown, as tradition dictates.
The two real dangerous fixtures this tour will be tonight and the Maoris in two weeks: tonight for its unpredictability which can prove embarrassing, and in a fortnight for its physicality.
The senior international coaches get precious time with their players but over the years a bond of trust develops. The value of tonight is the first major step in that relationship for the four new boys. I always remember that Michael Jordan put-down to Kobe Bryant when they first met on court: “You’ve seen me on TV, now you see me for real”.
This tour will be invaluable for the coaches in gaining an understanding of the fringe players. Statistics will tell them a lot, height, body fat, speed, power, etc, but the strength of mind is where they will be watching.
If tonight’s game is tight (one-point spread from the bookies), will the new boys have the mindset to squeeze out a victory? And how will they react to the physicality of the Maoris?
How do the IRFU ensure a flow of players to the top? For years it was the club’s role, going out into the junior clubs enticing talent into the big time. Shannon and Garryowen are past masters. But now it is the role of the academy where the provinces maintain control. It is clear the provinces have woken up to the value of the academy system as the best way to influence the future.
With so much change in Leinster, the academy represents the best opportunity to continue the culture within the province. According to its website, to qualify for the Leinster Academy a player must have the potential to play senior international rugby and be willing to undertake and complete the programme.
Colin McEntee as Leinster Academy manager, Under-20 coach and Leinster A coach and Irish Under-20 assistant coach, has an enormous opportunity to shape the future.
The Under-20 squad in Argentina contains eight players who have gained Magners League experience, including four from Leinster which indicates the value of the academy. Tomorrow’s starting tighthead, Stewart Maguire, weighs in at 130kg and can bench press 175kg, which has only been surpassed in the Leinster squad by World Cup winner CJ van der Linde.
Behind him will be Donnacha O’Callaghan’s mini-me and fellow Corkonian Dave O’Callaghan. No relation, just good friends.
The backrow is seriously impressive. Captain Rhys Ruddock, at blindside, who weighs in at 112kg, is extremely hard-working and ambitious, and leads by his actions and from the front.
In the middle is Paddy Butler, aka the Baby Leamy, both from Cashel and with somewhat similar styles. He is an excellent footballer, runs intelligent lines, is a good ball-carrier and strong lineout operator.
On openside is Dominic Ryan, an excellent specimen, very athletic and technically excellent over the ball.
The back three are equally exciting. On one wing is Tiernan O’Halloran, a Galway minor footballer for two years and son of Aidan O’Halloran, an All-Ireland winner with Offaly in 1982.
At fullback is Andrew Conway, who will forever be the one to watch from his time in Blackrock school. He is a fantastic counter-attacker, with pace and evasion skills.
On the other wing is Simon Zebo, the son of a sprinter(check out legend Len Dineen’s description of Zebo’s schools cup try on YouTube (watch?v=y_nyYHCZ99w).
Inside them is Nevin Spence from Ulster, another to play Magners League. He is a big, strong, centre who runs intelligent lines with conviction. And he has plenty of experience, this being his second World Cup. All well worth a watch.
It is a challenging tournament, with five games in 17 days. There is no way our young players could stand up to this exposure without the academy system which, with 26 players in Argentina all in great condition and with a real hunger, is a testament to all the managers: McEntee of Leinster, Ian Sherwin of Munster, Gary Longwell of Ulster and Nigel Carolan of Connacht. Whatever about tonight, an Irish win over France tomorrow.
PS: Another shot across the bow of Irish rugby is the arrival in Toulon next season of one George Smith. He has over 120 caps for the ACT Brumbies and is the world’s most capped loose forward, with 110 Aussie caps. But he is just 29. Why is he heading across the world to Toulon? This is a question many of our elite players will be asking. Elite players are going to leave, so heavy investment (if there’s any money) in the academy system is a must.
