Man for all seasons Kidney key to autumn success
“Declan (Kidney) is a walking, talking example of how to manage oneself because he is very secure in the team he has built around him. Everyone knows who’s the boss.
“Ask me about front-row forward play – I haven’t a clue what goes on there, and some front rows don’t. Maybe Declan is the same but he’ll hire the best guy to do that job and then he’ll let him get on with his job.
“And while he’s ultimately responsible, he’s also comfortable enough to have the scrum coach get the credit when the scrum is doing its job.
“It takes a very secure person to bring in senior people who’ll challenge you, people who are head coaches in their own right.”
RTÉ pundit O’Shea is looking forward to seeing how Ireland line up in this month’s games.
“There’s an expectation there now, and it’ll be interesting to see some of the combinations – Eoin Reddan coming in at scrum-half, Keith Earls maybe playing in midfield, Cian Healy coming into contention.
“For the Australia and South Africa games I don’t think we have anything to fear. I think the way Ireland will go about their business in those games will be very typically Declan Kidney.
“Ireland will say they’re underdogs, praise the Aussies to the hilt and say Robbie Deans is the greatest coach ever, but they’ll be disappointed if they lose because they’ll be expected to win. And the players will expect to win.”
O’Shea expects the clash with South Africa to be a tighter game.
“They’re world champions and the best team in the world at the moment . They play a limited game but they’re very hard to stop. That’ll be a tougher game.
“Pieter De Villiers likes his sound-bites, but they’ve got a really good coaching team underneath him – I know Gary Gold from my days at London Irish and Dick Muir is another outstanding coach.
“Like England in 2003, they have leaders all over the pitch – John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie Du Preez.”
The former London Irish man is enjoying his time as a pundit with Messrs Hook, Pope and McGurk.
“I love it,” says O’Shea.
“It’s a privilege to see the games and, as my family are quick to point out, I talk the way I would at home.
“I’d like to think I bring a slightly more recent approach about professionalism and player preparation, and maybe a bit more balance.
“Not too much balance, though! When I was playing George called me a rhinoceros on dope, as I’m quick to remind him; I haven’t been immune to his tongue-lashings!”
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