RUGBY:Whatever its incarnation, it is crucial the interprovincial series is maintained and that as full a deck as possible is played, writes LIAM TOLAND
I WAS struck by Paul Galvin’s documentary Galvinised aired last Tuesday. First, because I’m not sure what he wanted to achieve from it. And second, because at my best, fittest and most honed, whether as a partially starved Army cadet or as a professional rugby player, never did I come close to the body on display from this “amateur”. He has been an extraordinary footballer who through his constant movement both off and on the ball can teach us much.
However, what struck me the most was his “bouncebackability”, or his ability to recover from adversity, already planning his next assault on next year’s Sam Maguire.
As we step across the threshold this evening into 2011 I’m struck by the leadership our so-called errant sports stars display in their undying and focused hunger for success when all around them is crumbling. Be it their fault or someone else’s. Are there lessons the Irish people can take from their example?
Galvin appears a deep and at times uncomfortable soul who recognises who he is and has bounced back and excelled in his chosen field.
Paul O’Connell has suffered hugely from his injuries and now faces more weeks on the sidelines through ill-discipline. This will focus his mind but he will again bounce back stronger in all aspects, especially mentally.
He’s not alone, as Jerry Flannery and Rory Best look like returning tomorrow.
The world is very much changed in Kevin McLaughlin’s absence. Injury at times can be a godsend, but in McLaughlin’s case not only has world rugby changed so too has the pecking order. When Rocky Elsom departed, Leinster plumped for McLaughlin, but with injury along came Seán O’Brien, and to him you can add Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan. O’Brien has had a barnstorming few weeks which will force Declan Kidney into establishing a use for him. I mean, how best to utilise O’Brien at international level without upsetting the delicate balance of “our” style.
Leinster are playing a very different game to Ireland and O’Brien is fundamental to Leinster’s attack.
But that does not make for an immediate transformation to the national side. Why? For some seasons Keith Gleeson was crucial to Leinster’s evolvement. This brought him international rewards very quickly but he soon lost out to the very different openside David Wallace. That said, O’Brien can play the Wallace way but is still behind in the Gleeson way. Finding a balance between the bash and offload is O’Brien’s most important lesson to hone before the Six Nations and World Cup.
Yes, the game has moved on enormously since McLaughlin’s last Leinster start. It has moved on light-years since my last Leinster start. But in that time it hasn’t moved away from the core physicality that’s required. To hear an Ulster coach admitting to being “bullied” at home is extraordinary. I remember my first visit to Ravenhill in the blue jersey of Leinster. I was playing against Irish international Andy Ward, who took my full attention just to keep some degree of control over him. I always remember the swathes of white jerseys that hunted for every square inch of the ball. They were brilliant in the breakdown, particularly the counter-ruck (a phrase not yet in vogue). The unified competition was fierce, and although they lost at home they were rarely bullied.
Ulster should not be too panicked by their defeat to Leinster. With the blues in that mood many would have fallen. That said, I am worried about their lack of oomph in contact and their balance around the ball. The swathes of white jerseys need to up their physicality tomorrow in Thomond Park.
My real worry is for their outhalf. Niall O’Connor started in Ravenhill last week, but as the phases unfolded he moved farther and farther from the ball. By the fifth phase he had moved out of camera shot completely. When he did receive the ball he was invariably deep in the pocket.
Ulster need their number 10 to be in control and boss the affair. Although a fine kicker from hand, against Leinster O’Connor failed to grab the game by the scruff.
If O’Connor is to continue he must take a leaf out of Ian Humphries’ book and create go-forward through clever tactical kicking and interplay on the gain line. If Ulster are to break out of their Heineken Cup pool their 10 has to lead the way.
Despite the 12-point gap between them (Ulster have a game in hand) and an away fixture for Ulster, I think this is a real opportunity for the men in white to focus on the physical, with more control at 10 which could upset the ever-depleting resources in Munster. The time might now have arrived for Brian McLaughlin to start Paul Marshall at nine and Springbok Ruan Pienaar at 10. Add in Rory Best to BJ Botha and it’ll make for a very interesting evening in the scrums.
The pace and balance of the Ulster backrow is much compromised with Stephen Ferris’ absence, and, although a powerful carrier, Pedrie Wannenburg doesn’t have the explosive pace of Ferris. For an insight into Ulster’s training regime, check out their virtual training on ulsterrugby.com/news/449.
The interpro series has ebbed and flowed with the evolvement of professional rugby. It is crucial they are maintained and that as full a deck as possible is played. When I started out, the interpro was a weekend away (festivities), a shop window and the only real barometer for assessment. Tomorrow, for example, World Cup winner and top-class tighthead BJ Botha will tog out in Thomond Park. Alongside him will be a very reasonable front five. It’s a real pity big unit Dan Tuohy is out. The Munster scrum is once again going to be tested and, with it, reputations.
Of all the bouncebackable players we’ve experienced in past years surely Alan Quinlan deserves most credit. Again he will be tested and, at 36, his elbow will take a tad longer to heal. But “he’ll be back”.
My wish for 2011; it’s time for us all to bounce back!
