Ruddock earns surprise call-up to Kidney’s depleted squad

DECLAN KIDNEY last night plucked a rookie back row all the way from Argentina after suspension and injury depleted a squad still dazed from Saturday’s dispiriting defeat to the All Blacks in New Plymouth.

Hours after Jamie Heaslip was hit with a five-weeks ban for his moment of madness when he twice kneed Richie McCaw in the head, Leinster back row Rhys Ruddock was the surprising call up to the panel.

With confirmation also coming that John Muldoon is out for an extended period – he will undergo surgery on his nasty arm break in Auckland today – and Mick O’Driscoll in danger of joining him on the plane home with back spasms, Kidney had to act.

Ruddock, a son of former Wales head coach Mike, had an impressive season, making his breakthrough for Leinster in the Magners League and had been playing for Ireland U20s at the World Cup in Argentina.

However in calling up the youngster, Kidney eschewed the opportunity to bring in a proven power package like Northampton’s Neil Best or in Alan Quinlan’s case, a veteran of these tours who would surely have given the squad a lift with his presence.

Kidney said: “We are disappointed to be losing John following his injury, I felt any replacement should be one that would benefit from the experience. There were other options in terms of back row replacements, but rather than bring in somebody who we were already aware of, we felt Rhys would be a different option. He has performed very well for the U20’s and with Leinster when he has had the chance to play this season. This will be a good chance for him to gain experience and we have every confidence in him.”

Heaslip, opted to plead guilty to the charge of striking and after his impeccable disciplinary record was taken into account was hit with a five-week ban from rugby. He will be joined on the plane home by the wounded Connacht skipper. One surprising outcome was that the ban will run right away rather than be held over until next season.

“The judicial officer came in with a medium level ruling and also took into account that Jamie’s attitude was contrite and he owned up to it at the tribunal,” said Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton.

“Jamie is very upset that the tour is over for him now and he feels he has let down his team-mates. In fact, he apologised to the rest of the squad immediately after the game.”

The sickening injury to Muldoon coupled with O’Driscoll’s complaint brought to over 15 the number of players that have been deprived Kidney but he refused to hide behind those unprecedented numbers as an excuse for the chaotic defeat to the All Blacks at the Yarrow Stadium. “They are the facts but we wouldn’t feed into those, if we stay strong and not wilt under this, then we’ll get something out of it,” said Kidney.

“We had a front row (against the All Blacks) that last year played in the Churchill Cup final, by hook or by crook, they played – our scrum wasn’t too bad. It’s not just down to front row, that’s down to second row too.”

Both Jerry Flannery and Shane Horgan have given the squad another much-needed boost with both ready to join in training today. Kidney looks certain to name a changed side for Friday’s clash with the Maori here in an effort to keep his front liners fresh for the challenge posed by Australia in Brisbane the following weekend.

‘We’ve other guys who’ll want a game, they will want a chance to put their hands up so, asking a fella to travel halfway around the world and not give him a game is a bit unfair,” he said.