O’Callaghan: We must maintain standard

Munster and Irish lock Donncha O’Callaghan believes that having beaten one of the tournament favourites, the challenge for Ireland is to keep that level of performance for their remaining games.

Facing a Russian side ranked 17 places below Australia next Sunday, it would be understandable if Ireland struggled to muster the same motivation they boasted last weekend, but O’Callaghan insists the squad are just as hungry.

“We worked really hard last week with the coaches both on and off the pitch to get things right,” he told IrishRugby.ie.

“The work ethic was always very high over the last couple of months, but it was about making sure we did that work justice by delivering it on the pitch.

“I think we managed to do that, but the challenge is now to keep the standards of our preparations up this week to reach the Russia game in as good a shape as possible.

“We don’t know what the coaches have in mind for selection (for the Russia game), but there is such a good vibe at the moment, with lads busting a gut on the training field wanting to be involved, I don’t think anybody will want to be left out for the Russia game.

“There was an incredible buzz around the lads when we were setting off from Auckland to come down here (Taupo).

“You sort of expect that after a good win, but something we have all been chatting about is that we need to remain focused on the job at hand.

“Our goal has always been to qualify from our pool and just because we had a big win on Saturday night, it guarantees us nothing.

“We have two games left against two teams who will challenge us physically across the park, so we want to get ourselves right for that.”

Declan Kidney’s squads now have an eight-day turnaround to get over any knocks and get back into match mentality compared to the six-day gap between USA and Australian Tests, and the second row admits the extra day’s rest makes a difference.

“With a bit of a longer turnaround this week then we had for the Australia game, it’s great to be able to have that extra day to let the bumps and bruises settle before we hit the training pitch again. Some guys might head out for a look around Taupo.

“The area sounds a little bit like Queenstown, with some really good outdoor activities to help the lads relax.

“Others might be happy to hang around the hotel, so it’s good to have that flexibility and the down days have been great whether we do something together as a group or do our own thing.”

After the match in Auckland, Brian O’Driscoll made reference to the deafening Irish support in the stadium and O’Callaghan agrees it was a major boost.

“The amount of green in the stadium was incredible on Saturday night in Eden Park, just as it was in New Plymouth.

“Even the days before the games, the numbers of expatriates and travelling Irish as well as local people, shops and bars that we saw supporting Ireland was great.

“It has all added to create incredible atmospheres and hopefully we can get similar support in Rotorua this weekend.”