If Ireland keeps it simple and stays organised, the Championship is still there to be won, writes Keego…
What a difference a week makes!
After a really good performance against the reigning grand slam and 6 nations champions, we came unglued in a big way against England. We played with vigour, intensity, guile, testicular fortitude and inventiveness against Wales and deserved the win, against England; we were short in the game plan department.
Before we get into it, I do not think we were as good as people thought we were after the Wales match. I also do not think we are as bad as people think after the England loss. There was backlash on twitter and Facebook to everything from Heaslip should have the captaincy taken off him, to getting Ferris in there ASAP.
Firstly, the backlash against Heaslip is unfair. He had a bad game. It is always worse when the captain has a bad game. He still tackled like a demon all day. Everyone has a bad game. We are all mortal. I think the issue was that the senior players appeared to not be able to think on their feet, they couldn’t change the plan to counter what England where doing. Blaming injuries and weather is also stupid. Every team at every level has to deal with this on a regular basis. If the players struggled because of rain and injuries, then we really have to worry. It definitely was not that.
You can’t fault the effort from the lads last Sunday. They tried as hard as they could all day. The game plan was worrying. The fact that there was only one game plan was worrying. When the Seapoint thirsty thirds (a J4 team) take the field, they have more than 1 idea/plan. And if they show up to water logged pitch the plan can change again. Ireland appeared to stubbornly want to stick to the slick passing game plan we had going in the first half against Wales. If the sun was out, or if it was dry, this would be perfect. But it wasn’t. Everyone in the stadium and watching on TV knew it was a day to not have the ball, a day to stick it up your jumper or down your shorts. England where great at that. They didn’t want the ball at any point. They are a simple team, but amazingly well organized.
The things we were worried about before the match where things we won. We won the set piece battle. The scrum stood up to a big tough England front row. They where scrimmaging to a high standard all game, getting the hit in all but 2 scrums. After a couple of dodgy opening lineout’s we managed to gain superiority in this area too. Our maul was immaculate. We assumed that our backs would be able to do the business but they never got a chance. We broke through the English line once, thanks to a cheeky Drico pass to earls. Earls had a positive game on the left wing; it was great to see him in his best position. So it is far from all negative.
The standard of players and leaders is very high in this team. I think the problem is on the sidelines. Our coach is a great coach, but looks like a spent force. Lets be honest, the team that took the field against Argentina was NOT the team Kidney would pick given the chance. Injuries forced him to change his mind. It worked out for him, and in fairness he stuck to it against Wales. But it was a fluke! The positive out of this fluke is that the team has changed and is playing better. Rory Best has been our…..ahem best player in the last three games. He has been awesome!
We need to have more than one plan of attack, in any sport there is no team that goes out with one idea. I watched the English match with my Da and the commentary was far better than anything on the screen. For the last 10 minutes he was screaming, at the team to kick over a very flat English defensive line. He could see it, I could see it, and everyone in the stadium could see it. But the players and coaching staff could not. This is worrying.
Before I finish this week’s disjointed rant. If you boo’d the players or the English fans at any stage during the match then you should never go to another rugby match again. You are not a fan and you do not deserve to be there. I couldn’t get a ticket; I really wanted to be there. When I read about booing it really annoyed me. There is meant to be good natured banter in the stands, that is always great fun, but if you boo a team a supporters for singing their songs instead of trying to sing louder then you really should be a football fan instead of a rugby fan.
The championship is not over yet. If Wales turn over England then there are 3 teams still in it. We need to learn from our mistakes, be more organized and go beat the Scots. With injuries, suspensions and weariness we need to count on the simple things and be more organized.
As usual feel free to comment/abuse/discuss with me on twitter @nkeegan. Or feel free to roll over to www.thedailyclothesline.com for more ….
Until next week.
Keego (@nkeegan): Blogger, former professional wrestler, sometime attempted rugby player (@TheThirsty3rds), professional procrastinator and attempted musician with a fondness for long walks on the bar, tea and the couch. Opinionated Leinster fan and constant gardener.
