Ireland ready to enjoy recovery time with families before Scottish challenge
Ireland's Bundee Aki celebrates with his youngest child Ailbhe Lasela Ali'itasi Aki in Paris. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ireland will prioritise rest and recovery following their epic World Cup win over pool rivals South Africa as they head into a short mid-tournament break this week.
The Six Nations Grand Slam winners and world number one-ranked team edged a thrilling, intensely physical battle with the defending champions at Stade de France on Saturday night, their 13-8 victory allowing Andy Farrell’s side to take a firm grip on Pool B.
Yet Ireland still need to confirm qualification for the quarter-finals with at least a point in their final match in the group against Scotland, back in Paris on October 7, and before they break camp to spend a few days with their families in France, assistant coach John Fogarty on Sunday stressed the importance proper recovery after such a demanding but hugely significant tussle with the Springboks.
“It was the first time we played South Africa in a World Cup, so we’re delighted with getting the result. It’s such small margins,” Fogarty said. “The game, it’s incredibly tight when you play a team of that quality; a great squad, very well coached, and the margins are so tight.
“We’re very proud of the result, we’re very proud of the performance, but we’re very, very aware that that’s a pool game, we’ve got Scotland next and we’ve got big tests on the horizon.
“So, we’re delighted at the moment where we are. Recovery now becomes the most important thing for us. We can get so much gains from that game if we properly recover, so I think that’s the focus right now, to make sure we understand that what we’ve done well but make sure we understand that we freshen up now.
“We’ve got a few days with family which is so important. I can’t wait to see my wife and kids. I’m sick of looking at the boys at this stage. But I think that’s the most important thing right now. Take the positives from the game, we’ll certainly look at things we need to improve on but we need to get the recovery in now because Scotland are going to be coming.”
Fogarty praised Ireland’s defensive effort to restrict South Africa to just one try from Cheslin Kolbe and withstand the 2019 champions’ late comeback that followed Jack Crowley’s 77th minute penalty. Having conceded a penalty shortly after the fly-half replacement’s successful kick, Ireland had to face a Springbok lineout on their five-metre line and when their powerhouse pack, refreshed by seven forwards off the bench, went to their maul, the successful Irish turnover ended the match with the clock in the red.
"The lads pride themselves on their defence, Simon (Easterby, defence coach) does a huge amount of work with the guys,” Fogarty said of the overall defensive effort.
"They'd a good plan in place, but carrying it out against such a physical side was always going to be the test. They hit very well, we showed huge energy to get off the ground, be in position where we needed to be to be together for each other.
"The lads feel they can bring an Irish edge to defence, that type of mentality where we're getting off the ground, getting into position, where we're in front of the South Africans every time is important for us.
"That's certainly an area we focused on coming into the game and we're very pleased at the end of it."
Scrum coach Fogarty also heaped praise on his pack for overcoming a tough start at the set-piece to finish the match on top in that department.
“I was very proud of the lads. It was a tough game. Like the game itself there were such small margins and there were times when we felt in control and there were times when we were under pressure.
“We had a good plan and I thought the height that we scrummaged off, we were very connected. We were dealing with that weight.
“But just before half time you see a movement left and the scrum creaked a little bit. I think half-time there was a reset of mentality and going back understanding the plan. The lads were excellent in how they did that, because the second half in particularly was a little bit up and down, you’re dealing with some bodies off the bench, you’re dealing with more weight, so there were moments when we were obviously under pressure but when the players were able to be composed and take a moment, taking the breaks we we could and reconnecting with each other and going back at that them.
“That is the most pleasing part, the ability to stay composed when there were really under serious pressure. Sometimes in a game, that can build and is racing in your mind but the lads stayed clear in their heads of what the plan was. And we managed to fight back in that second half. That’s the most pleasing part.”
Ireland’s focus will now turn towards their final pool match against Six Nations rivals Scotland, who were set to play Tonga on Sunday afternoon in just their second game of the tournament following an opening-weekend 18-3 defeat to the South Africans. But not before that well-earned break.
"We didn't talk too much about the next game. We took the time, families are over at the moment, there are wives and kids around, it's nice to be able to relax with them a little bit and also enjoy each other's company.
"But we're very clear on Scotland, they've improved year on year and they play today, they'll play Romania next week and they'll be looking to get a win.
"Looking at their forwards and at them across the pitch, it's always a challenge to play against them. They're a little bit unpredictable in their back line but they've got a gnarly pack, so for us I know we'll take our break now but we'll get to that next week, we'll start planning and preparing for Scotland.
"But right now I think it's about recovery and rest.”
Ireland have trained for the last few days with a full complement of 33 players following Jack Conan’s return to the fold following a six-week absence due to a foot injury while hooker Dan Sheehan came through his first minutes at the World Cup having made his tournament debut off the bench on Saturday night.
"Jack had a brilliant week, both boys had a brilliant week and took part in training. All going well those guys are going to take part in full training when they come back.
"We've been very, very lucky with the health of the squad and the return of those players to full training has been brilliant, they're obviously as returning players being managed but right now we look like we'll be training with a full deck when we return to training, which is great.”
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