Why talking heads got criticism of Fitzgerald all wrong

AS a professional rugby player, one of the best bits of advice you get is not to heed the media. It’s usually one of the older, battle-hardened players who passes on this wisdom down to the more naive, young guns. But they never listen.

An international rugby career usually begins with sparks of romance between player and the pundits. The journalists love a fresh new face. Initial reports are full of love and optimism. However, as the relationship develops, it can sour with the pundit turning on his former fancy and publicly castigating him. The player gets burned. And he stops reading the newspapers.

Luke Fitzgerald has been a darling of the media in Ireland throughout his glittering career. Every time he touches the ball, there is an air of anticipation. There is a sense something exciting is about to happen. It usually does.

Unfortunately though, even Fitzgerald could not escape the ire of RTÉ’s rugby panel on Saturday. He was supposedly at fault for Luke McLean’s heart-stopping try. The panellists stated that he was incorrect to fly in on Gonzalo Garcia, when Brian O’Driscoll was supposedly pushing him out.

It is a worry that one of Ireland’s best backs is being accused of defensive errors in the week that they face the attacking prowess of France. Fitzgerald himself obviously hasn’t heeded the media advice passed down by his more experienced colleagues. He listened to the pundits’ analysis of his defensive performance and took umbrage. He has even taken a public swipe at the commentators who have labelled him the culprit in the defensive lapse. Let’s hope his confidence is intact when he faces Maxime Medard tomorrow.

Fitzgerald is right to feel aggrieved with the media. Defensive structures have changed and adapted since the youngest members of RTÉ television’s panel retired from the game. There is a perception out there that the correct defensive system only allows you to drift. However, this notion is antiquated.

When rugby union converted to professionalism, the game saw an influx of rugby league converts who brought new philosophies and ideas with them.

Defence was always paramount in league. Tackle technique and adaptable defensive systems were introduced across. Mike Ford, England’s current defensive coach, revamped Ireland’s system both internationally and at provincial level. He organised a defensive structure that up until that point in time had just been an informal agreement between players.

Defenders, in particular positions close to the ruck, were assigned specific roles. A language was created so there would be no confusion in defence. Clear calls were drilled into the players. ‘Turf’ replaced ‘up’ and ‘wedge’ replaced ‘out’. Ford also believed that you have to defend your try-line hard. If you sit back and play soft, the opposition will inevitably score. That philosophy is still in place today.

The Italian try wasn’t the fault of an incorrect call by Luke Fitzgerald. In fact the try was as a result of an earlier surge of pressure by big Italian players who hammered into the weary Irish forwards. The Irish pack weren’t able to get around the corner to the open-side fast enough to support their backs. As a result O’Gara and D’Arcy got sucked into the tight stuff and O’Driscoll and Reddan ended up at pillar and post.

By the time the ball got into Italian substitute Garcia’s hands, Fitzgerald was faced with a three-on-one and tried to shut the door on the Italian attack. If he smashed Garcia ‘man and ball’ he would have been a try-saver. Unfortunately he was a fraction late and the offload got to McLean.

Tomorrow, Fitzgerald will face a far more formidable attack. The French showed real flair against Scotland last weekend, while their most threatening attacking strength is their ability to counter-attack off loose kicks and turnover ball.

Without a doubt, French attackers will be one-on-one with Ireland’s full-back at the Aviva. How will the recent criticism affect Luke Fitzgerald? It would be smart to disregard the pundits. He said himself that the people who really count, Les Kiss and Declan Kidney, told him he made the right decision. He should probably stop reading the papers too.