Maggs is happy to let O’Driscoll take the limelight

KEVIN MAGGS does not expect to be the centre of attention during Ireland’s World Cup campaign — and that is the just the way he likes it.

The strong-running Bath threequarter is a perfect foil for the sublimely-talented Brian O’Driscoll, who inevitably grabs most of the limelight.

“I actually prefer it that way,” revealed the 29-year-old Maggs. “I don’t like speaking to the press. I’d much rather concentrate on my own game and on doing well for Ireland.

“Brian is an outstanding player and he deserves the limelight that he gets. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest that he gets all the attention.”

If his co-centre, famously described as “Waltzing O’Driscoll” on the Lions tour to Australia two years ago, is the Rolls Royce of threequarters, then Maggs is the four-wheel drive.

It is a wonderful contrast which has served Ireland well, the fleet-footed artist lining up alongside the crash-ball demolition expert and Maggs believes both men benefit from each other’s game.

“It’s brilliant to play alongside him,” he said. “He’s one of the best centres in the world, if not the best.

“It’s been good for both of us. We’ve learned from each other over the last few years. He expects certain things from me, like I expect them from him. I think we work quite well together.”

Unlike O’Driscoll, however, Maggs has some unfinished business when Ireland take on Argentina in the crucial pool A match in Adelaide on October 26.

He was in the Irish team which suffered the agony of extra-time defeat by the Pumas in the quarter-final qualifying game in Lens four years ago. Maggs, who has won 53 caps, played down the revenge theory, however, preferring to look at the bigger picture.

“They are all big games and Argentina is one of the games we have to do well in,” he said. “We’ve played them a couple of times since the defeat in Lens.

“I’m pretty confident that we’ll do well. Our goal is to get out of the group and I think we’ll certainly do that.

“After the last one, I didn’t know if I was going to be involved this time. It’s unbelievable and I just can’t wait to get out there.”

Meanwhile, Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham says his side are prepared for Argentina to use “dirty tactics” in their opening World Cup encounter. Australia defeated the Pumas almost a year ago in a bad-tempered affair in Buenos Aires and Larkham is expecting a similar match.

“I think they’re very competitive so they’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Larkham said.

“If that means playing dirty, then I’m sure they’ll resort to those tactics.” However, Larkham said his side would not respond to any unfair tactics in kind.

“Typically, Argentina are a very physical side,” he said. “They like to dominate through the forwards and do whatever they can do to psychologically get over their opposition, so we’re expecting another fiery game but we’re certainly not going to take a backward step.” Wallabies forwards Jeremy Paul, Matt Cockbain and Toutai Kefu made accusations of unfair play, including eye-gouging, against the Pumas last year. Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot responded by accusing the Wallabies of unfair tactics.

Pumas goal-kicking fly-half Gonzalo Quesada said that Argentina were a superior team to the Pumas side that reached the quarter-finals four years ago but were relying on Australia playing poorly to beat them.

“I don’t think we’ll have many chances against them but Australia may feel the pressure of being hosts and defending champions,” he said.

“Maybe, just maybe, with a little luck that will count against them.”