Duffy’s the only real winner
For some, the efforts of the last two weeks will bear fruit when Eddie O’Sullivan announces the World Cup squad on the week commencing August 12. However, there will also be casualties — especially in the wake of Saturday’s poor performance.
While O’Sullivan will be disappointed, even annoyed to have lost a series 2-0 in the demanding environment that one faces in this country, at least the journey will have helped him to make up his mind on the final composition of the squad. One suspects that a number of the younger charges will have to wait four more years to live their World Cup dream.
The biggest winner over the course of the two weeks looks like Gavin Duffy who has come from nowhere to stake a claim.
Despite playing in an unfamiliar inside centre role on Saturday, Duffy along with Geordan Murphy was Ireland’s best back. The fact that he has now played in three different positions, centre, wing and full back in his six caps will also stand to him.
The biggest concern coming on this trip was how the Irish pack would cope without any of the established front five forwards. It will provide some consolation for forwards coach Niall O Donovan that Ireland coped so well in the set piece.
The scrum, in particular, stood up to everything the Pumas had to offer — Bryan Young, Simon Best, Frankie Sheahan and Jerry Flannery can take credit for that. Spare a thought however for Peter Bracken who not only was the only player in the 30-man squad not to receive game time but has now gone on two successive tours (New Zealand and Australia last season) in search of that elusive first game in an Ireland shirt. Contrast that with the fortunes of Tony Buckley who returns to Munster with two caps and looks a potentially a long-term successor to John Hayes for province and country.
Behind the scrum, Ireland’s performances deteriorated as the games progressed. The gamble of fielding so many inexperienced players together at half back and in the three quarters was cruelly exposed by a well-marshalled Argentine defence. The six backs from Nos 9 to 14 had a sparse 10 caps between them and the pressure told. The handling was poor and the number of unforced errors was too high for this level of rugby. In the first half alone Ireland wasted at least three try scoring opportunities when overlaps were ignored and wrong options taken.
Referee Kelvin Deaker was also generous to the home side when failing to brandish any yellow card for persistent infringement within five metres of their own line. Incredibly Ireland held possession for up to 12 minutes in the Puma’s 22-metre zone at the beginning of the second half and failed to score.
Simon Best would surely have been better served opting for line out mauls from penalties close in, as opposed to scrums as the Irish were excellent out of touch once more. When this incessant pressure concluded with Jeremy Staunton missing a relatively simple penalty, it tore the heart out of the Irish challenge.
The pity here is that this was an ordinary Argentine team who deserve much credit given that they had six home-based amateurs in their line up. Coach Marcelo Loffreda has favoured Saturday’s No 10 Frederico Todeschini in the key out half role in a number of internationals with Felipe Contepomi at inside centre. One only hopes that he continues with that option when the sides meet again in the World Cup. Contepomi is a far superior pivot. Time and again Todeschini was caught in possession and it says everything about Ireland’s performance that they were unable to take advantage.
At least Eddie O’Sullivan now knows where he stands in terms of his final selection for France. All the front row slots should now be decided. In the second row Malcolm O’Kelly will be included, Mick O’Driscoll’s greater experience and knowledge of the French system may see him pip Trevor Hogan and Leo Cullen.
The back row remains contentious but Jamie Heaslip and Neil Best look assured of inclusion. Despite failing to shine after a long season with Leicester, Shane Jennings will oust Keith Gleeson if O’Sullivan wants an out and out No 7 as back-up to David Wallace.
Alan Quinlan could be the one to lose out. That would be cruel as he has so much to offer. If O’Sullivan sees no requirement for another open side then Quinlan may get the final place.
Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace will provide half back cover for Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer. Reddan had a torrid time on Saturday but his pace will cause problems for all opposition once he receives quicker ball.
With Ireland’s regular back five left at home the remaining positions will go to Geordan Murphy, Andrew Trimble and, on the assumption that Brian Carney may have left his challenge too late, Gavin Duffy. The returning Connacht man has been the real winner from this expedition.
While we can comfort ourselves that Ireland’s entire starting team are at home, we must remember that Argentina had thirteen players alone in the match day squads of the four French championship semi-finalists last weekend. That in itself is a fair indication of the challenge that lies ahead next September.
Assuming the Irish management will opt for 17 forwards and 13 backs, O’Sullivan’s World Cup squad today would probably read:
Forwards: M. Horan, J. Hayes, S. Best, B. Young, J. Flannery, R. Best, F. Sheahan, P. O’Connell, D. O’Callaghan, M O’Kelly, M. O’Driscoll, S. Easterby, D. Wallace, D. Leamy, N. Best, J Heaslip, S Jennings or A. Quinlan.
Backs: P. Stringer, E. Reddan, I. Boss, R O’Gara, P. Wallace, B. O’Driscoll, G. D’Arcy, A. Trimble, S. Horgan, D. Hickie, G. Murphy, G. Dempsey, G. Duffy.
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