Paul O’Connell not daunted by size of challenge as Ireland turn inwards for Springboks showdown

“It’s a massive challenge for us to be away from home and down here, but our boys are looking forward to it," said O'Connell.

NOT DAUNTED: Ireland Forwards coach Paul O’Connell in training. Pic Credit: Dan Sheridan, Inpho.

Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell was unsurprised by the team Rassie Erasmus chose for their thunderous showdown at Loftus Versfeld, but steered the focus internally.

The mantra coming from the Ireland camp has been about focusing on themselves, while obviously, not completely ignoring the opposition.

The good news is that all 35 players in the touring party are training and available for selection. That will provide some interesting debates for the coaches, especially as they know what they’re up against now after Rassie Erasmus named his team earlier in the day.

O’Connell, who toured South Africa several times, most famously as captain of the 2009 British & Irish Lions, understands the challenge that awaits the team more than most. It’s something he has been emphasising to the younger members of the squad throughout the week.

“Yeah, certainly at the moment (touring South Africa) is a challenge. They are world champions, they have good continuity in their playing group, they know what they stand for, and I’d say there is a lot of confidence in their group at the moment.

“It’s a massive challenge for us to be away from home and down here, but our boys are looking forward to it.

“I got a quick glance at their team (the Boks picked 20 players from last year’s successful Rugby World Cup campaign). A big thing for any team that is successful is that kind of continuity.

“You look at any of the club sides that have been successful in recent times, they have continuity of coaching, continuity of players, continuity of leadership. They are in a strong position and it is an excellent side that they have named.”

That was about it as far as discussion about the world champions went. Although last year’s clash at Stade de France, which Ireland won 13-8 was touched on. Specifically the problems Ireland had at the lineout early in the match.

“They are an excellent set piece side, they are an excellent lineout side, they always have been,” O’Connell, who knows a thing or two about the lineout, said.

“They caught us out at the start of the game in the World Cup. It was pretty frustrating and disappointing, but I was delighted with how the players managed their way through it.

"Two of their lineout operators, Mostert and Etzebeth, are two of the best in the business. Etzebeth is very good at the front of the lineout. Mostert generally covers everything at the back of the lineout.

“We have been a little bit specific about them, but it has been mainly about doing our stuff a little bit better across the board. The boys enjoy doing that, we enjoy focusing on ourselves.

“I think you have to focus on what the opposition are going to do, but by and large we focus on ourselves a little bit more than we did back in my playing days. I certainly enjoy it as a coach as well.” 

 One factor in the past was that Ireland were usually fatigued at the end of a long season if they toured in June/July. But with South Africa’s inclusion in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions, they no longer have that advantage.

South Africa’s inclusion in the URC has also largely demystified touring the Republic for Irish players, all factors that will be to Ireland’s benefit, even if only marginally.

“South African teams have been a brilliant addition in terms of….they play differently,” O’Connell said. “They all play differently but they all have that certain South African identity as well, especially around set piece, maul and scrum.

“That it has been really good for our players. They have learned to deal with that challenge, to have to train and prepare for it every week. They bring a certain amount of that intelligence into our camp when we come together.

“We are lucky in terms of how we manage the players. It’s probably been a long year, but the players have gotten plenty of time off in the year, weeks where you are not training, you are not playing, so you don’t have the mental pressure that comes with a game.

“Players tend to be on different journeys, some were out of things a little bit earlier, got a little bit of time, that mental and physical break, some guys pick up an injury during the year and they get their break there.”