Tuesday, February 9, 2010 Previous editions
Monday, November 30, 2009
JERRY FLANNERY admits one of his lowest points in 2009 may have been the key to Ireland’s unbeaten run through the autumn series.
In early May, Flannery and his Munster colleagues were pummelled by Leinster in a Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park en route to their European title win in Murrayfield. Flannery believes that the success of Michael Cheika’s side had a huge part to play in the national squad’s mindset these past few weeks.
"For the Irish team to prosper, the provincial teams have to do well.
"As much and all as it hurt when Leinster beat us it was very good that they went on to win the Heineken Cup because that winning mentality is spreading through the players and it has manifested itself in the Irish squad."
Flannery dismissed suggestions that Ireland’s victory was somehow devalued against a South African side limping to the end of a gruelling 2009 campaign.
"From our point of view, these guys are world champions. Today was the highest benchmark we could measure ourselves against. We wanted to test ourselves to find out how we were progressing as a team and this was a big lift for us. We could have lost all our games in 2009 and it would not have lessened the desire to get a crack at the world champions."
Flannery singled out the contribution of former Springboks forwards coach Gert Smal as critical in Saturday’s victory.
Flannery revealed: "He did a lot of work in the build-up and in particular gave us a good insight into the mentality of the South African players and a glimpse of the type of mental strength they employ to get them where they are.
Flannery continued: "This victory was probably an example of how far we have come. Of great personal satisfaction is that we have moved on after winning a Grand Slam and haven’t slipped back.
"I was fearful that things might drop off, but the management, players and everyone associated with the team are driven from within the squad. We are still nowhere near world beaters or anything, but we have progressed and it would have taken from the Grand Slam if we had blown up this autumn."
Yet, Flannery conceded that the scum was an area on which Ireland would have to work and improve.
"Our scrum has a long way to go; it let us down on a few occasions. BJ Botha must be up there amongst the best and when he went off the tide turned a bit for us."
Flannery’s concentration now switches back to Munster and to Magners League and Heineken Cup action.
"We have three crucial games these next few weeks against Ospreys in the Magners League and against Perpignan twice in the Heineken Cup. These will be defining games and we can think of nothing else from now up to Christmas. We can park this achievement and look forward to coming back again for the Six Nations, but there is work to be done in the meantime.
"We had all our high fives Saturday and we have to switch back to provincial mode from now on."
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