Wallace ready for Aussie face-off
Wallace is a little accident prone. ! In a career that has known its fair share of ups and downs since he first came to prominence as a member of Ireland’s U19 World Cup winning team in 1998, he has had to endure an unbelievable number of injury setbacks. He has broken both legs, been treated for a perforated ear drum and badly torn knee ligaments while a broken hand prevented him from winning a first cap on the tour of Japan in 2005.
However, it’s for the number of knocks he has taken to his head and face over the past year or so that has had Wallace wondering at one stage whether he “should wear a mask or a cycle helmet next time I go on the pitch”. Certainly, the blood-soaked bandage he sported for much of the 2009 Grand Slam campaign lives in the mind.
“I must have had close to 40 or 50 stitches in the last 16 months and that’s all around the face,” he says. “Most recently, I got four stitches behind the ear against Munster and that opened up again at training this week, so that was another four stitches. I have a good plastic surgeon and it looks like I need one.”
Wallace started in the first three matches of Ireland’s Grand Slam campaign last season and did nicely inside captain Brian O’Driscoll and outside Ronan O’Gara. And yet, it seemed he just went from one knock to another with the result that his game time against France and Italy was reduced to 92 minutes and his stitches tally amounted to 22.
“The channel I’m defending is one of the most physical in rugby and maybe that’s one reason I met so much trouble,” Wallace reckons. “Also, my physical strength was something that needed addressing. I’ve put on weight and the work in the gym has been much better since Ulster improved their facilities. That has helped enormously and makes life easier. I believe I’m getting there and I’m much more confident going into the tackle and don’t worry about defence any more.”
There is every possibility Wallace would have suffered far greater damage at the hands of Irish followers than anything he has endured on the pitch had Stephen Jones kicked the last minute penalty in Cardiff last March that he conceded and which would have cost Ireland their first Grand Slam in 61 years. It’s history now how the ball dropped short and, as he has stated over and over again since, nobody was more relieved than Paddy himself.
“It would have been a life-changing experience and a tragedy for me had that kick gone over. This is the first time I’ve played for Ireland since and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Even if Declan Kidney admitted it was a close call between the Ulster captain and Gordon D’Arcy for the number 12 jersey, most agree Wallace merited the chance. He has played very well for his province, with his tackling and general defensive work particularly impressive.
“Ulster’s improvement has made rugby more enjoyable to play from week to week,” he says. “Winning builds confidence and self belief and Ulster and myself are feeding off that momentum.”
One of the games Wallace remembers with especially happy memories is another clash with the Wallabies in 2008. Australia won 18-12 but Ireland had every chance and played some outstanding rugby. Paddy would dearly like to see a repeat on Sunday.
“That game in Melbourne, it was really fun that day,” he smiles. “We had a real attacking mindset going into it and hopefully on Sunday, you’ll again have two teams wanting to play rugby. It was great to get the Grand Slam but I don’t think we played the kind of rugby we’re capable of. If we can score one more try a game and concede one less and play more attractive rugby, it will make our life easier. When you’re enjoying your rugby, there’s no better feeling.
“Don’t get me wrong. First of all, you want to win the matches … you don’t go out with the mindset of forcing yourself to play attractive rugby for the sake of it. We want to attack off the right areas of the field and the way we’ve been training, I believe we can play more 15-man, hands-on rugby.”
Wallace’s somewhat cherubic facial features assume a faintly amused appearance when he is reminded that he is now the wrong side of 30 while recognising the need to use all the experience he has gained over the years to the benefit of his team-mates.
“Before I knew it, I was turning 30 in August,” he says. “That’s a milestone and you suddenly realise that you need to take more of a senior role and help the younger players coming through. I’ve done that as Ulster skipper this season. I have a three year-old and a new-born baby last month. That makes you realise that rugby is not the be-all-and-end-all while providing motivation to stay in these squads and provide for your family. I’ve been blessed with a boy and a girl and it gives you perspective on life as well as rugby.”
Let’s hope he meets them after Sunday’s game without any further blemishes on that smiling countenance.
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