He who pays the piper calls the tune...

I HAVE been asked on more than one occasion over the past fortnight why Ireland would undertake such a hectic schedule at the end of a long hard season.

The reason is simple. International rugby is the paymaster and funds the game at all levels in all rugby playing nations.

In many cases, the tour schedule has been negotiated years in advance, oblivious of the demands on any specific group of players in any one season. Twice a year, in June and November, teams trek to the opposite side of the world at the completion of their domestic season. If you want the presence of New Zealand, South Africa or Australia to boost the coffers with full houses in Lansdowne Road, then you must be prepared to reciprocate. Last weekend, all four home countries faced southern hemisphere opposition and were systematically defeated.

In terms of performance, both Ireland and Wales have most to be pleased with despite the result. The body language of the Irish players on the final whistle, showed just how much defeat meant to them. Having performed magnificently in most aspects, they knew that this was a game they could well have won. It is not often that one can say that with justification when facing the All Blacks on home soil.

This was an incredible game in many respects given that, despite limited possession and territory, Ireland led by 16 points to 8 at the break. When one factors in the concession of tries after a minute of the first half and 3 minutes of the second, due primarily to a lack of concentration, it is easy to see why the players were so shattered at the end.

The most encouraging aspect was the manner in which Ireland continuously asked searing questions of the New Zealand defence, highlighted by two outstanding tries from Brian O’Driscoll and Andrew Trimble. O’Driscoll in particular, was back to his best and it must have been a source of particular satisfaction to him that the New Zealand public could finally experience at first hand what a quality international player he is.

The Irish forwards, despite the absence of Malcolm O’Kelly and Simon Easterby, continued to show what a formidable unit they are, particularly at lineout and at the breakdown. The scrum however was vulnerable throughout the game.

In this respect it was encouraging to note another positive performance from Australian import Tom Court when playing for the Ireland A side against the New Zealand Maori.

On his Irish representative debut against the USA the previous week, Court looked impressive against questionable opposition. On this occasion the 6’3”, 18 stone tight head performed admirably against a Maori front row containing former All Blacks Joe McDonnell and Decon Manu. Court, a trialist for the Australian Olympic shot putt, is comparatively new to rugby. The only question mark that remains is in a country so bereft of scrummaging talent as Australia, how the Queensland Reds have allowed him leave for Ulster?

With so many tried and trusted performers with Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad, any opportunity for new challengers is almost exclusively confined to Michael Bradley’s ‘A’ squad who now face England in the plate final in Canada next weekend.

Their performance in defeat at the weekend once again highlighted the quality of Jamie Heaslip. The bigger the opposition, the better he seems to perform.

Others to impress over the two games played to date include Connacht hooker John Fogarty, Leinster-bound Trevor Hogan and reserve Leinster three quarter Kieran Lewis. Given the quality that Leinster possess behind the scrum, Lewis generally finds himself surplus to requirements when Michael Cheika picks their strongest combination. With Hogan and Stephen Keogh Dublin-bound due to the lack of opportunities available to them because of the quality of the Munster forwards, it seems crazy that Lewis has rejected overtures to challenge for a place in the Munster squad.

In New Zealand, the coaches of the respective Super 14 franchises regularly sit down with the national management to see how best resources can be used to maximise the playing opportunities for all players. This is something that has been spoken about for a long time in this country.

Of more immediate concern to O’Sullivan will be the challenge of facing the All Blacks once again in Auckland on Saturday. No doubt New Zealand will be better second time around for having played together for the first time in seven months.

The New Zealand management have also made changes to address the deficiencies that surfaced last weekend by starting Jerome Kaino and Troy Flavell. Both made a difference when introduced to bolster the pack in the second half. They have also abandoned the experiment of fielding two open side wing forwards.

Behind the scrum Ma’a Nonu has paid the price for a poor defensive performance and Casey Lualala, who many fancied to start the last day, renews his Crusaders midfield partnership with Aaron Mauger. Graham Henry has also resisted the temptation to draft in front liners such as Dan Carter, Jerry Collins and Rico Gear.

Predictably, O’Sullivan has once again named an unchanged team. While you can understand his logic, it must be frustrating for Anthony Foley, Jeremy Staunton, Alan Quinlan and others not to have sampled any action.

This Irish team is now better placed than any of its predecessors to sustain the quality challenge they produced last weekend into the second test. I have no doubt that New Zealand will be better this time around. The question that remains is whether Ireland can surpass that level of improvement and close the deal on this occasion.