LET’S STORM TO VICTORY
Ireland v Samoa Fukuoka, Pool A 11.45am
KEITH EARLS insists Ireland must forget about Typhoon Hagibis and deal with Storm Samoa in Fukuoka today.
Winger Earls (above) will be part of an attack that must go for a bonus point win against the eliminated Pacific Islanders, who have promised to go out with all guns blazing. Ireland have
with all guns blazing. It’s just how we deal with that, how we build into the game and taking our chances.
“Any time you have the ball in hand, you’re assessing your options, seeing what the best thing to do is – run, kick or pass.
“You’re scanning ahead, seeing where the opportunity is. If there’s a half-gap there, go for it. Sometimes you get tackled and sometimes you get through and you make a break.
“Every game is different, it’s just trying to read what the defence is doing and trying to see where you can make your break or try to get over the gainline and create something.”
Larmour was outstanding at fullback in the pool opener against Scotland when everything was rosy in
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the garden for Ireland. But defeat to Japan and a so-so performance against Russia leaves Schmidt’s charges needing a big performance.
And Leinster star Larmour, who wears the No.15 shirt again in Fukuoka today, wants to make his mark.
Ronan O’gara has suggested that he has been picked on merit over Rob
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to deal with that threat while shutting out the continuing controversy over whether the other Pool A game between Japan and Scotland goes ahead in Yokohama tomorrow.
And they must do so while keeping their footing on a newly relaid pitch that is clearly not up to standard, despite World Rugby’s assurances that the surface is playable.
Ireland centre Chris Farrell was caught on camera putting a rugby ball under the surface in one spot.
“I personally just concentrate on my own game,” said Earls (right). “If something happens with the other pool game, I’ll think about it at the time.
“We’re preparing for a massive challenge and I’m sure the Samoans are going to bring their own storm with their physicality.
“The pitch doesn’t look great but actually out there it’s flat and quite firm.
“I’ve been paying no attention to the typhoon or what’s going on but I feel sorry for Italian players like Parisse and Ghiraldini who were playing their last World Cup game and now they don’t get to do it against New Zealand.”
Kearney. Either way, this could be a chance for him to make the jersey his own.
“Any time you get to put on a green jersey, especially a starting one, it’s a huge honour,” Larmour said.
“Rob is probably one of the best in the world at grass-field cover so you can learn a huge amount from him, any time he’s playing or training – even now just trying to pick his brains and see what he thinks of different scenarios.
“He’s been a massive help to my game. Getting to play and train with him is pretty cool.”
Does he feel himself that the last time he got to cut loose was in Chicago?
“It’s hard to say,” Larmour reflected.
“Every game is different, it’s a different challenge every week. It’s just about creating those opportunities and taking them.
“Some games are tighter than others, sometimes the conditions don’t allow for it or the other team is just putting you under so much pressure that you don’t get that bit of space you’re looking for.
“But any time you get to pull on the green jersey you just go out and do your best. You want to be involved in the big games.
“This week I’ve an opportunity to play and it’s about putting your best foot forward.” J Larmour K Earls R Henshaw B Aki J Stockdale J Sexton C Murray C Healy R Best (c) T Furlong I Henderson James Ryan T Beirne J van der Flier CJ Stander