Taking STOCK
Ulster star seeking to rediscover youthful spark again
THOSE carefree days of 2018 seem like a long time ago for Jacob Stockdale now. Only 21 at the time when the Ulster man burst onto the Test scene. He was pretty much Irel and’s s ecret weapon throughout that all- conquering campaign. There was that record-breaking Six Nations – scoring seven tries in six games – before the match-winning chip-and-chase against the All Blacks in November.
Instinctive, deadly and fearless, Stockdale played the game with a smile on his face. Reality struck the following season, however. The secret was out and he found himself targeted by the opposition, with and without the ball. Soon, his defence was coming under scrutiny, especially after that disappointing World Cup in Japan.
This year has proven challenging as well. There were calls for Stockdale – set to win his 29th cap against Italy on Saturday – to be cut from Andy Farrell’s squad
“I’m happy to play wherever they put me”
“At full-back, the backfield is your priority”
entirely after a particular poor outing against Toulouse in September. Cheslin Kolbe has given many teams a torrid time and Stockdale was the latest to be turned inside out by the electric Springbok wing.
A recent surge in form in Ulster’s most recent Pro14 games was timely for Stockdale, who is looking to rediscover that youthful experience which defined his breakout season. Perhaps Caleb Clarke’s performance for the All Blacks last weekend could serve as some inspiration?
Clarke is the latest freakishly powerful New Zealand wing – following in the footsteps of Julian Savea and Joe Rokocoko. Only 21, he carved it up on his first start for the men in black last Sunday. His highlights reel from that game is well worth a watch.
‘More than anything, it’s exciting to see somebody who kind of simplifies the game down to a certain extent,’ said Stockdale.
‘He’s the guy who just says, “right, well I’m just bigger, faster and stronger than a lot of people on this pitch”, and you look at that line break he made from the Australian kick down the middle of the pitch.
‘He just goes at – I think it was Nic White wasn’t it? – then just busts the tackle and makes a 50metre break. It’s very simple stuff when you have the physical capabilities that he has.
‘It’s pretty refreshing to just see somebody play the game in the way they want to play it.’
What Farrell would give for Stockdale to show some of that form: breaking tackles and causing havoc again. His most recent display against the Ospreys at full-back was promising in that regard.
‘I think my game is coming along really nicely to be honest,’ he said.
‘Those last two games in the Pro14 were really big for me personally, just to get two big performances under my belt before I came in here (Ireland camp). And to be honest before that I felt l i ke I was putting i n decent performances.
‘Obviously the Toulouse game was probably a bit of a blip. It was really disappointing for me personally and for us as a team in Ulster but these things are going to happen.
‘You are going to have games where you don’t perform as well as you would like to. It’s about learning from those things.
‘I’m happy with where I’m sitting right now and I’m just looking forward to potentially getting to play a bit of rugby in the next few weeks.’
In Jordan Larmour’s injuryenforced absence, he looks set to line up at full-back this weekend. The big question is whether that is his position, going forward?
‘ I’ve no idea to be honest,’ Stockdale observed.
‘I’ve been asked this question a good few times over the last wee while and my answer remains the same.
‘I will be more than happy to play wherever they put me on the team sheet, whether that’s fullback or wing or “there you go, you know what, you’re a second row now”.
‘Actually, I’d maybe draw the line at second row. I’m just happy to get on the pitch if I can and play to the best of my ability on the pitch wherever that is.’
Full-back remains a specialist position, especially at this level. The wing, where Stockdale first made his name, can be more forgiving but as Rob Kearney points out in his book – which is released later this week – there is nowhere to hide in the backfield.
‘I suppose when you move to 15 the backfield becomes largely your priority, you don’t really need to worry about defending the front line unless things go pretty wrong which is obviously just a change in mindset, going f r om wing to f ullback,’ Stockdale explained. ‘I t hink full-back to be honest, what I found over the last few weeks, is that there’s no real opportunity to stop, if that makes sense? You have to be willing to work constantly and having that ability to keep concentrating any time the ball’s in play.’ So, it’s back to the grind f or Stockdale now, but hopefully back to his best as well.