Kidney left with ‘nice’ selection headache

KEITH EARLS had an inter-national rugby debut to die foron the hallowed ground of Thomond Park when he scored Ireland’s opening try against Canada with his first touch of the ball.

But, as Earls reflects on a most accomplished start to what many believe will be a long and successful representative career, there are no guarantees the 21-year-old will be named in the side to meet New Zealand at Croke Park on Saturday.

Earls shared the satisfaction of a 55-0 victory over Canada with fellow youngsters Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald, who also contributed handsomely to a comprehensive victory, but the return of a seasoned veteran, Shane Horgan, has complicated the selection process.

Coach Declan Kidney acknowledged the contribution of the youngsters but admitted their versatility would make him something of a selection headache.

“It’s going to be harder, although that’s a nice place to be. If you have more competition, and there is competition from outside the 22 on duty against Canada, then it makes for better training and better preparation for this week’s match,” he said.

Inevitably, the supporters, and particularly Munster fans, will be backing Earls to keep his place, but Kidney happily complicated matters for himself when he made so many changes in the third quarter on Saturday’.

He moved Earls to centre as partner to Fitzgerald, switched Kearney to full back and Tommy Bowe to the left wing to accommodate Horgan on the right.

Within seconds, Horgan, who was under severe pressure to perform, made an impact and a statement that he’s far from being a spent force.

Experience will be crucial against New Zealand and when experience is matched by the form and enthusiasm as displayed by the hard running Horgan, it can lead only to one thing — selection.

The straight-forward solution for Kidney might be to select Fitzgerald alongside the captain Brian O’Driscoll again. That would leave the coach to look at either Earls or Kearney in a battle for the number 15 jersey, unless he harks back to the experienced Girvan Dempsey.

Having taken a step forward, it can only be guessed that Kidney will try to retain one or more of the youngsters. Kearney, because he gained valuable experience in the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia and because of his glowing second half display at full back, might justify selection by a short head from Earls.

Then again, it has been suggested by former Irish international and Munster hero against the 1978 All Blacks, Moss Finn, that Earls and Fitzgerald will battle it out for a place on the wing, a possibility were Kidney to move Bowe into the centre.

Finn thinks it would be a brave but positive mood to have the strong running and confrontational Bowe to face the physical New Zealand midfielders.

“Bowe has impressed in the centre for the Ospreys and he would give the All Blacks a lot to think about there.

“He had a great game against Canada and did a lot of damage when coming through the centre of the field. Moving him to centre would free up a wing position.

“I feel it would be more appropriate to either select Fitzgerald or Earls on the wing. I think Kearney deserves to shade it at full back,” he said.

Meanwhile, Finn raised a selection question about the back row as well. He believes Kidney must, on this occasion, go with older and wiser heads.

He was impressed with Saturday’s man-of-the-match Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip, but figures the experience of Alan Quinlan and David Wallace cannot be ignored this week.

“I’d stick with Shane Jennings at open side to combat Richie McCaw, but I would definitely pick Quinlan and Wallace for the physicality and tactical knowledge they would bring.

“It could well be Ireland ‘s best-ever chance of beating the All Blacks and they’ve got to use every option at their disposal. Ferris is just a little short on experience and, while Heaslip is really top quality when he has the ball in hand, the ability of the Munster guys when playing without the ball could be crucial.

“Quinlan, for instance, will get in their faces; he will slow them down and he will be destructive. He and Wallace are strong and they’re confrontational, just the type of players the New Zealanders won’t relish playing against,” he said.