Monday, November 10, 2008
FOR Declan Kidney and his new management team, Saturday at Thomond Park was a good day on all fronts. The comprehensive nature of this win by a re-energised Irish team offers a glimpse of the possibilities for the future.
New Zealand’s impressive 32-6 win against what looked on paper to be a Scottish team with serious intent also meant that Ireland lost no ground in terms of World Cup seeding which will be so important when this current Irish squad head for New Zealand in three years time.
Inevitably, thoughts of Namibia and Georgia sprung to mind watching the Canadians stand strong and proud for their national anthem but it was clear from the outset that a repeat of the nightmares in Bordeaux was never on the cards. This Canadian side were totally underpowered for the demands of international rugby and offered minimal resistance. To have any chance they had to start well. When Keith Earls did his Roy of the Rovers impersonation with a try less than three minutes into his international debut the writing was already on the wall.
Only once before can I recall an Irish coach making mass substitutions of the scale Kidney made after 55 minutes with a block of five changes in one swoop. In 1997 Ireland were over 30 points down against second division New Zealand side Bay of Plenty when Brian Ashton hauled four players off the field after only 20 minutes on that infamous Development tour. How times have changed. On this occasion all those introduced at a time when Ireland led 38-0 knew that openings for a starting position for the All Blacks game next Saturday were at a premium.
From the new management’s perspective, they will be delighted to have this first game out of the way but realistic enough to know that as a contest it was only marginally better than a training run. Kidney and his coaches have now been in place for several months and have worked assiduously away from the glare of the media and the general public. All their planning and preparation will be measured by what happens on the field over the next two weeks.
Kidney knows the magnitude of what lies immediately ahead. Graham Henry’s Tri Nations champion side offer a test of Ireland’s international credentials from the other side of the spectrum. In terms of the basic skills, Canada were severely exposed in weather conditions alien to many of their players. In those horrific conditions in Limerick the skill set of Ireland’s back three of Earls, Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe were spectacular, their fielding and kicking masterful.
Overall Ireland looked confident, structured and organised and despite the swirling wind and rain looked to keep the ball in hand as much as possible. Even from the sideline it was clear for all to see that the infectious enthusiasm of youth spread through the team. Brian O’Driscoll surveyed his pupils and recognised that there is serious talent being fast tracked. He is relishing the challenge of accelerating their development. Likewise when Shane Horgan was introduced in the second-half he too identified that something special was required from him to ensure his starting place next Saturday. As he has always done since the outset of his career in an Irish jersey he delivered with some sublime moments.
New forwards coach Gert Smal has also reason to be satisfied with his charges up front. Ireland’s set piece was dominant throughout with Tony Buckley justifying his selection at tight head. The only surprise was the decision to withdraw him for John Hayes at half time. However when reintroduced for the last quarter at loose head for an "injured" Marcus Horan, it had all the hallmarks of a pre planned decision.
The line out too was productive offering good variation without ever getting over complicated. Stephen Ferris was another to impress with a display that will make it very difficult for Kidney to omit him from next weeks starting back row. With Jamie Heaslip, who once again had a very industrious afternoon, and David Wallace sure to start against New Zealand, Ferris seized his opportunity and made a bigger impact than Shane Jennings. On a number of occasions he was Ireland’s go-to man in the line out and his ball carrying was first class. Most interesting though was the decision of the management to play him in the second row for the last twenty five minutes when Alan Quinlan was introduced for Paul O’Connell. It was presumed that Quinlan would be used in that role. In means that Ferris may now offer a range of options off the bench at the very least. It was also instructive to see Earls and Luke Fitzgerald form the midfield partnership for the last quarter as Kidney took the opportunity to try out all his options.
While Saturday represented a changing of the guard in many respects with so many of the younger brigade creating such a favourable impression, it was impossible to ignore the solidity and direction that Ronan O’Gara brings to the operation at out half. His decision-making was flawless as he ran the show. On top of that he delivered perfect return of six from six from placed balls in the most difficult of conditions. His battle with Dan Carter next Saturday would fill Croke Park alone.
On the back of that impressive performance in Murryfield, New Zealand arrive in Dublin fully expecting another serious challenge from an Irish side that has asked serious questions of them in all their recent encounters without ever closing the deal. Last June in the Cake Tin in Wellington, Ireland once again came close to compounding Henry’s World Cup nightmare with a first ever win. He hasn’t forgotten and rested up to nine first choice players in Edinburgh to be ready for what he sees as a pivotal game on their tour. They will be very hard to beat.
Of even more significance for Munster with the 30th anniversary game against the tourists on the horizon is that the core of the All Black side that accounted for the Scots will be on duty in Thomond Park. Under those circumstances Tony McGahan will be one of the most interested observers when Kidney announces his team for Saturday’s test at lunch time tomorrow as he discovers who he will be left with for that long awaited reunion.
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