Ruddock’s long wait nearly over
Ireland yesterday trained at the second division soccer ground where today’s test will be staged in less than glamorous surroundings as this busy two-week tour wraps up.
Over in New Zealand the Ireland U20s will continue their push for glory at the Junior World Cup and in Romania the next layer of senior players are participating in the Tbilisi Cup.
One man linking all three is Rhys Ruddock who today will win his third cap just hours before his father Mike coaches the U20s against England, and having skippered Ireland to success in the Tbilisi Cup last year he is keeping an eye on happenings there.
And then, of course, Argentina holds a special place for the flanker. Four years ago he captained the U20s there but was plucked from the country when an injury crisis developed in Australia and he was handed his first cap at just 19.
Hard to believe then that he only got his second cap against Italy in the Six Nations and today starts his first game for Ireland in four years. Why has it taken so long?
“I suppose it depends how you look at it,” he said. “It was an amazing experience and really thoroughly enjoyed the experience with the U20s and to be captain was a massive honour so although it was cut short, really enjoyed the last day in Argentina and to get to go and travel with the senior team at 19 was an amazing experience.
“It was one I’ll always remember and I suppose if you’d said four years between first and second cap, it doesn’t sound great but I’d take it any day because I gained some really valuable experience,” he added.
“Throughout I was kind of aware that it was a bit of a freak selection because there was so many injuries around the place and I kind of skipped up in the pecking order if you like, so I had to be realistic as well. Yeah, it’s been a long time coming but I’ve enjoyed the road to making my second cap and hopefully making my third.
Former Ireland captain Michael Bradley expects Argentina to produce a huge effort in a bid to take a big scalp today.
Bradley, now assistant coach with Georgia, experienced that first-hand last summer as his side was beaten by the Pumas in San Juan.
The former Connacht and Edinburgh coach, in his second spell with Georgia, said the Pumas know victory over the Irish would be a huge scalp.
Georgia were beaten 29-18 by the Pumas last summer but he expects Ireland will have too much firepower. “Argentina always feel they have a chance against Ireland and are under a bit of pressure to produce a home win,” he said. “A win over the Six Nations champions would be an enormous boost.”
The win by Argentina last summer was their only victory in 11 home matches, so they will be making a huge effort in Tucuman today to claim the win.
“The key is to get behind that first line of defence. The opportunities really open up then. But they will make it difficult for Ireland,” added Bradley.
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