A Tour Wasted..

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UAFC Editor
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A Tour Wasted..

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[tag=image]http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/arc ... 56813b.jpg[/tag][tag=content]Our man Neil has a final look back at Ireland's unhappy tour

Ireland 0- New Zealand 60

“And I looked, and behold, a Pale Horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.…” Revelation 6:8

“Those who do not remember the past, are condemned to repeat it..” Santayana

Ireland suffered collective amnesia with respect to the lessons of the first and second test; and the harsh reality of a New Zealand winter revealed that Ireland’s current position, as compared to NZ, is closer to that suggested by the first test, than by the second. The magnitude of swing in performance from both sides displayed the current gulf in class, strength in depth and tactical appreciation.

A strange series in term of expected performance levels; Ireland were outclassed and outgunned in the first test, when they were expected to be most competitive, nearly pulled off an unexpected but deserved win in face of NZ complacency in the second, then reverted to the predictable script in the third, as abysmal as New Zealand were imperious and ruthless.

Crucially, NZ learned a harsh lesson in nearly losing a test to Ireland, whereas Ireland, as ever, ignored the lessons from both tests, and were ritually eviscerated by an AB side and public demanding retribution and blood sacrifice. They duly delivered, and the AB gods were sated. Indeed, such was the NZ public rancour that their performance demanded something akin to Spartan law: “ Come back with your shield or on it..” They came back with their shields intact.

More overtly powerful at the breakdown and tackle than both first and second test, despite a raft of new pretenders, NZ blew Ireland away with textbook aggression, body position, explosive off loading and tackling that belied Irelands previous competitiveness and neutered the previously effective SOB and McLaughlin. With Heaslip replaced by a game, but out-gunned POM, the die was cast, and the game was all but over after 20 painful minutes.

With both sides shorn of considerable experience and talent, it was NZ, predictably, who made light of so many new faces; no bubble wrap and gentle introductions for NZ’s new tyros, in sharp contrast to an Irish system that means that the likes of Donncha Ryan et al are mid 20s or older before any serious international exposure. In NZ, you either take your chance, or you’re history - there’s plenty willing to take your place.

Relentlessly, NZ turned over or slowed down and sealed off Ireland’s ruck ball to such an extent that Murray’s service became slow-motion, with Ireland back-pedalling at almost every contact point.
POM, for all his promise, is no Carter or Heaslip, and out of position against the World Champions is a harsh and painful killing field. A bulkier, fired up Henry would have been a sound call, given the ease with which Ireland’s back row was removed from breakdown contact. Ireland needed a “pain in the Brennan” at ruck time, but he was left to bench.

It would be churlish to suggest that 80-0 would have flattered the ABs, and the fact they didn’t reach that mark is a minor miracle, and down to some profligacy by NZ, rather than any significant rally or resistance from Ireland. At almost a point a minute from a blistering opening salvo and intent to banish the spectre of an Irish victory in the second test, a Pale Horse did indeed hove into view for Ireland.

Of the match itself, this time Ireland were merely competitive at scrum and lineout; Woodcock had done his homework on Ross, and, scrummaging for the most part illegally by not binding correctly, (binding to lower jersey,) and driving in and up at an almost 45° angle in on his opposition tight head. Unfortunately, for such a self-styled scrummaging student, Ross seemed incapable of either dealing with Woodcock’s illegality, or draw Pointe’s attention to it via fair means or foul. In tandem with his immobility around the pitch, an earlier introduction of an eager and capable Fitzpatrick would’ve been a sound investment for the future. Ditto, Cronin starting for Rory, who has given his all on this tour. Rory now looks mentally and physically shattered by the toll taken from both this series and the HEC final.

On the one occasion “renowned” scrummaging referee Poite policed Woodcocks’ side, Ireland managed to drive NZ back 5 metres. But this was small potatoes. NZ don’t readily allow sides to exploit any perceived points of weakness, but counter by aggressively attacking off their many points of strength. Thus, any scrummaging advantage was neutered, as the game was played and won elsewhere.

Lineout time was by and large sound, Tuohy and Ryan efficient, without hegemony, a couple for Rory brain-farts excepted, one of which lead directly to a NZ try. Such is the difference in stark relief - Ireland huff and puff with more than 52% possession, yet still enjoy a 60 point trouncing.

As an aside, Ireland still do not aggressively attack opposition lineout ball, a tactic they would do well to learn off their U-20 tyros. Putting at least one jumper up on opposition ball outside of their own 22m line would at least signify intent... NZ were given a relatively easy ride as a result, and a means of easy ball to build their assaults.

SOB was soundly negated by the AB rucking pods who simply blasted him and his compatriots out of the contact zone, and into anonymity. Ryan, and, to a lesser degree, Tuohy, gamely took the ball up to the NZ phalanx without significant penetration, as a result of receiving slow, static ball, at point of contact with front foot NZ tackling (bordering on off-side, as ever.) Both were often smashed backwards on or before the gain line, or simply turned over by superior strength of NZ numbers.

In microcosm, Ireland’s deficiencies exposed; physically and tactically inferior, handling skills forced rather than innate under pressure.

Ireland’s first up tackling was as flimsy as a Victorian Poets’ lace hanky- clothes lining, flapping, passive, waiting for the inevitable 2 or 3 on 1, or embarrassing bounce or brush off; Earls and McFadden done for pace and power by a taunting Gear.

BOD, Paddy Wallace (who at least had mitigating circumstances,) Murray, Kearney et al were equally culpable, tackling at a level more fitting of AIL.

There were few positives from this test or the series.

Paddy Wallace was given his head on a plate by Declan Kidney, (and to some degree, a scapegoat similar to Tom Court at Twickenham) which in no way camouflaged the lack of tactical attention to detail and nous displayed by the Irish management and players. His test career is now irretrievably broken through no fault of his own. Ironically, he didn’t want to let down the Irish jersey.

As it transpired, this tour was neither a serious attempt to win a series or even test in NZ, nor an opportunity to at least give those seen as successors the opportunity to stake their claim in the fiercest of all furnaces. This must be the greatest condemnation of the Irish management and how it brings players through.

Cave, Marshall, McCarthy, Duffy et al must be thoroughly demotivated by approximately 10 min game time between them, all to Cave, in the desperate trouncing of the first test, when any hope was forlorn.

In retrospect, the closeness of the second test was probably the worst possible result for these fringe players; ridiculous optimism of a first test win against a side that traditionally gets better as it plays together meant that there was no serious chance of Irish fans seeing what any of the above could do.
Likewise, Zebo, Henry and Fitzpatrick were relegated to bit part roles, despite evidence that they were at least competitive, in form, hungry and not out of their depth.

The net result: 3-0 whitewash, two serious drubbings, the final test embarrassing for professional players, the bulk of which have dominated Europe for two or more years, and not much learned, other than the gulf is as wide as it was in the amateur era.

Craig Gilroy’s exclusion now seems an unexpected positive from this debacle, both for his own credibility, and Ulster.

Whilst D’Arcy’s demise has been widely discussed, it may also be time for Ireland to contemplate life without BOD, enforced, rather than allowed to drift off into the sunset, with the keys to the IRFU, a la ROG. His continued presence is no longer cause for inspiration, and Ireland need to contemplate a future needing to come to pass now. New combinations are being stymied by the need to accommodate, to the detriment of Earls, Cave, McFadden et al. BOD has been abject, the tour self-serving to his need for completion, redemption and removal of tarnish from personal history. The truth seemed to dawn at the painful conclusion of the third test. BOD must no longer be beyond reproach, but back in the selection mix again, based on form.

The time may have come for a scorched earth policy to remove those remaining by virtue of past glories rather than present or future contribution. Cleanse and refresh as England and Wales have done, and NZ, Australia and SA continually do.

This process should start with Kidney, and his core team. There are few coaches in international rugby that can ship a record defeat and a series whitewash, in tandem with 2 poor consecutive seasons, and a stagnant world cup campaign, and remain in the role. Kidney seems to be the exception. One can only assume he has negatives of some of the decision makers at the IRFU...

His loyalty to his ailing warhorses is admirable but frustrating- O’Callaghan is long past his best, not even first choice for Munster. McCarthy was an option scandalously underused. Ditto D’Arcy and ROG.

Kidney has also shown himself tactically inept by, amongst other examples, ignoring the pairing of HEC winning half backs, and persisting with Murray. Murray has a future with Ireland, but must be selected on a “horses for courses” basis. He also has work to do with his speed of service if Sexton’s ability is to be fully realised.

Ultimately, this example highlights the lack of clear thought of how Ireland play to a modern game plan. Fresh thinking is needed, along with an injection of fresh blood, and perhaps a few fallow years in rebuilding. England and Wales have both done it, and progress has been made.

There is the real risk that the dressing room and squad will fragment, and lost, if not already.

The recent performance of the U20s is in stark contrast; the raw materials are there, with the correct tactics and management, a small pool of talent can be made to go a long way. Are we going to lose this generation as well? Ruddock at least seems to have a clear vision of how he wants the team to play. He also plays form. It will be interesting to see the ratio of SA, French and English U20s come through to senior level from this tournament, in comparison to Irelands, and how soon. Ireland’s development programmes beyond U20 level seem to stall in the transition to senior level, with the Wolfhounds criminally underused.

Kidney seems to be taking this current Irish squad and set-up into a cul-de-sac, and the threat of extincting Ireland as a top tier nation. Maybe he should reflect on the fate of the auk. Ironically, every attempt to evolve seems hampered by an atavistic about turn at first sign of failure, rather than persisting and allowing the squad to grow wherever its’ direction and talent takes it.

Contrast with New Zealand, a country of similar size population wise, but one that makes the most of a limited pool, in contrast to England, France, SA etc. and certainly Ireland. Every AB jersey and position is fought for - few players are sacrosanct. By way of current example, Cruden has grasped his chance in the 10 shirt in Carters enforced absence, Kane has announced himself as a serious option in the absence of Read and Kaino.. New Zealand renew with a Darwinian survival of the fittest ethos, whilst Ireland persist with ROG, D’Arcy, Wallace and O’Callaghan...

Of the few positives from the tour, Ryan has developed into a test standard lock, whilst players such as SOB, Rory Best, Healey and Sexton acquitted themselves as senior squad players should, and remain the core spine of the squad going forward. O’Mahoney has shown raw potential, but needs to find his true position, as either a six or 8, and fast track under expert tutelage. Fitzpatrick has shown himself to be a viable alternative to Ross, technically adept, and far more mobile. Questions remain about vulnerability to injury, and game time at Ulster behind Afoa.

The Jury’s out on:
  • Keith Earls - fine player, but what’s his best position? Not sure even Earls knows.
  • Zebo - no real opportunity to show his pace, although suspect defence remained untested, largely due to being underused, with McFadden winning out.
  • McLaughlin - fine second test, but blown away with the rest of the Ireland back row in the final test. Huge gulf between Irelands current first choice back rowers, and the rest.
  • Kearney - fine player going forward, and excellent under high ball, but flatters to deceive. Defensively exposed as suspect and passive, did not really replicate his European form. Proclamations from some as best full back in the world seem risible.
  • Cronin - again criminally underused as a foil to Rory, should have started at least one test. Explosive player who needs serious exposure to develop to test standard. Another missed opportunity. Showed up well with limited game time.
  • Trimble and McFadden - contrast of styles- Trimble aggressive in defence, but offers less than McFadden in attack. A perfect wing if they could be merged. Both are not first choice test class wings, Trimble by virtue of loss of form.
  • Murray- brave, good defensively, reasonable box kick, but tactically underdeveloped, and funereal service.
Missed opportunities:
  • Cave, Wilkinson, Marshall, McCarthy, Duffy, etc. What a waste of a summer holiday. Ireland learned absolutely nothing from their inclusion in the squad, and if they have the bottle as long term squad prospects. “Meat” i.e. squad filler...
  • Henry- fired, abrasive and fit, a brief cameo in the final test was poor return for a form player, and another miscalculation from Kidney.
Time to go:
  • D’Arcy, ROG, DOC, Paddy Wallace, Kidney.
Faust’s Witch sums up Kidney’s current IRFU- bolstered position as supreme tactician:
“Gentlemen! Don’t pass me by!
Don’t miss your opportunity! Inspect my wares with careful eye!
I have a great variety, and yet there is nothing on my stall..”
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Snipe Watson
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Re: A Tour Wasted..

Post by Snipe Watson »

A fair summation of what transpired indeed.
The 12 and 13 shirts are a massive problem. I don’t see Kidney or anyone else having the cojones to drop BOD even though his trajectory is clearly down and Cave does present a realistic alternative, even Tommy. At 12 there is nobody stepping up. D’Arcy and Paddy are fading lights, but where is the bright young thing? I don’t see one.
As an aside, Mark Anscombe made the point that in his view Irish 20 year olds are a couple of years behind NZ, SA, English and Welsh. Due the sheer numbers playing age grade rugby in those countries.
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darkside lightside
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Re: A Tour Wasted..

Post by darkside lightside »

Excellent summary Neil, can't find much to quibble with at all..
[The Artist Formerly Known as Caolan]

On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero - Tyler Durden
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Red Top
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Re: A Tour Wasted..

Post by Red Top »

Great, insightful piece Neil. I wish the Bellylaugh would ask you to do some writing for them now and again instead of those planks, Farrelly and Crozier - might even buy it the odd time then
bazzaj

Re: A Tour Wasted..

Post by bazzaj »

Great piece and good that you picked up on Woodcocks illegal binding.
He has made a career out of illegal scrumaging and few officals have ever picked up on it.
POMs selection at 8 over Henry was bordering on insanity as was Wallaces selection to start.
I understood the need to fly him out as cover but parachuting a player straight in the team who has never looked comfortable at that level was puzzling to say the least.
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Deckard
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Re: A Tour Wasted..

Post by Deckard »

wow, Santayana, Faust, I'm going to have to up my game :D

good piece..
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