MAC’S MAN TO MAKE A VITAL POINT
IRELAND’S stars might have suffered an adverse reaction in a World Cup year had Joe Schmidt revealed he was joining another set-up after the finals, Rob Kearney believes.
Schmidt’s confirmation eight days ago that he was departing after his squad’s involvement in Japan came with the announcement he is finishing coaching.
Kearney – who has worked with Schmidt for eight years between Leinster and Ireland – does not believe the Kiwi’s exit in 11 months time will damage Ireland’s hopes of success in the Far East.
“It won’t have any impact,” said the veteran fullback,
“he hasn’t taken up another coaching role.
“If anything when it comes to the World
Cup – not that guys don’t try their very hardest – but when they know the coach is leaving the game for the foreseeable future, they really want to dig in and give every little bit.
“If he was going to another team your mindset might just change ever so slightly.”
Kearney and the rest of the Leinster frontliners are returning to action after their Ireland heroics against the All Blacks, with most of them having had a few weeks to recover ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup clash with Bath.
But the IRFU statement that Schmidt would be succeeded by his defence coach
Andy Farrell did not surprise the
Louthman.
“It’s a natural progression for
Andy,” said Kearney.
“They’ve done their business pretty well, they obviously had this contingency plan in the background for the last six months or so. Everything just seems very seamless.”
Kearney insists the players will now feel they have to impress two head coaches.
“When we’re on the training ground you don’t do more because Joe’s watching, then take your foot off when he turns his back,” he reasoned.
“They’re both beside each other at the desk during the day so you can imagine they’re talking about everything. But guys will be a little more mindful that he’s the next boss rather than just another assistant.”
Farrell has improved Ireland’s defence and players like to work under him.
“He’s changed our system dramatically,” Kearney acknowledged. “The great thing about him is he’s just very black and white.
“We’ve got a really good defensive day every Tuesday in the week. We’ve got a really good plan and he makes it very simple in terms of what he expects from guys.
“I always find those are the best coaches to play for when you know exactly what they want.” ROB KEARNEY wants to play on after the World Cup in Japan.
He will be 33 when the finals come around in September and his current contract ends when Ireland’s involvement in Japan runs its course.
It was announced yesterday that the first rounds of the 2019-2020 Champions Cup will take place just a fortnight after the World Cup final and it remains to be seen if Kearney will still be a Leinster player by then.
But the Louthman has confirmed he will be a player somewhere, fitness permitting.
“I wanted to leave it until after November just before I had any thoughts on it,” said the hugely experienced full-back.
“I’ve made the decision now that I’m going to play after the World Cup in some capacity. I’m still no further down the road as to where.
“It wasn’t in doubt but I just didn’t want to put myself under too much pressure.”
IRELAND prop Jack Mcgrath will miss at least two rounds of Champions Cup action for Leinster through injury. The loosehead (inset) has been ruled out for four to six weeks after undergoing surgery on his hip.
West Brom
1
Brentford
1 SUB Lewis Macleod snatched a precious point for Brentford with a dramatic late header to punish West Brom’s poor finishing.
The sorry Bees looked set to slump to a seventh defeat in eight games since Dean Smith quit, leaving
Thomas Frank in charge.
But Jay Rodriguez and Hal Robsonkanu endured a frustrating night for the Championship’s leading scorers with a series of misses.
Rodriguez even wasted an open goal before Harvey Barnes eventually made no mistake for his eighth goal of the season in the 77th minute.
Yet Macleod (above) rescued a point in stoppage time with a header from Emiliano’s cross in front of 500 delighted away fans.
It was hugely frustrating for Albion, who dominated the first half and nearly took a third-minute lead when Barnes got away down the left.
The on-loan Leicester star put over a superb cross and it seemed a certain goal for Rodriguez sliding in at the back post but the striker blazed over from three yards.
The bar came to Brentford’s rescue in the 45th minute when Matt Phillips rattled in a fierce shot from 30 yards.
The Londoners were still alive and kicking though and it took a superb one-handed reaction save from Albion keeper Sam Johnstone to tip Emiliano’s side-foot around the post. anything. You want the players who’ll run towards you rather than away from you.”
Speaking on 2FM’S Game On, Carsley revealed that despite his excellent coaching reputation he had not been approached to work for the FAI.
“I’ve never spoken to anyone from the FAI,” he said. “I didn’t have one phone call off anyone with regards to any jobs.
“It’s not something I’ve chased after. It’s always nice to approached but it’s not something that I’d push.
“Obviously I played for Ireland. At some point I would like to be involved in the coaching but I really love what I’m doing at the minute and I always have done.
“You’d like to think it’s down to the standard of coaching in the Irish league – and all the coaching courses that the FAI put on which means there’s a pathway for coaches in the country.”