Monday, March 22, 2010
IRISH hooker Rory Best views Saturday’s defeat to Scotland as one of the most chastening lessons of his rugby career.
The Triple Crown dream in tatters, Best bravely faced up to the fact that his below-par display contributed to Ireland’s sad farewell to Croke Park.
The 39-times capped Ulster hooker admitted his failure to find the target at line-out time had been a crucial part of Ireland’s downfall.
Ireland coughed up possession at six line-outs and Best was also called back for two crooked throws. On a day when Ireland’s inability to hold on to possession elsewhere cost them dearly, the inefficiency at the line-out was costly.
The 27-year-old admitted: "If you can’t win line-outs towards their line (in attacking positions) you’re bound to struggle. It was particularly disappointing, especially because of the back division we had available to us. It’s something I’m going to have to take on the chin and live with.
"We pride ourselves in our line-out and it fell well short of the standards we have set ourselves.
"A lot of the blame will fall on me and that’s something I will have to deal with. On Monday it will be back to work for me to show with Ulster that it was a one-off, a blip, and that I can put it behind me."
Ireland’s error count racked up elsewhere and Best said he couldn’t believe how a team that finished clinically against England and Wales could make so many mistakes.
"We got some great scores this season based on very good handling and perfect delivery but for whatever reason the ball didn’t seem to go to hand when we needed it to. I don’t wish to take away from Scotland because in many respects you make your own luck, but we certainly made it hard for ourselves," he said.
"Obviously, the mood in the dressing room wasn’t good; we’re gutted because we’re a very competitive squad and pride ourselves in winning and in performing. We didn’t perform and we’re not happy about that.’’
But Best doesn’t believe this is the end of the road for Ireland and he’s confident the experience can be put to good use as preparation for the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.
"Right now we’re on a low after losing to a Scottish team that (effectively) beat us off the park but I think we must reflect on the fine line between winning and losing in this championship. Take Scotland for instance; they lost to Wales in a couple of minutes of a game they had almost wrapped up, while one drop goal or penalty against England might have had them coming to Dublin to challenge for the Triple Crown instead of trying to avoid the wooden spoon.
"We can use the experience of playing in a hugely competitive tournament as a good base for when we go on tour, although of course we would prefer not to have to wait so long for another opportunity to put things right."
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