‘Drop it’ Reado
element of luck involved. Nine times out of 10, you would have expected Read to collect his charge-down. But Stockdale’s willingness to back himself again was typical of this young Ireland team. Whether it is James Ryan – sensational again here with 17 carries and 20 tackles in total – or Garry Ringrose, or Josh van der Flier, or Jordan Larmour, they are all fearless. Success is all they have ever known.
Their youthful exuberance, in turn, has given new life to older pros such as Peter O’Mahony, Devin Toner and Cian Healy.
Joe Schmidt deserves huge credit. The Kiwi coach is famed for his micro-management, his obsessive attention to detail. But once he has given his players the framework in which to play, he clearly encourages them to express themselves.
It is hard to think of a player he has not improved.
Small wonder then that for youngsters such as Stockdale the All Blacks do not hold such an aura.
He was not even born when Jonah Lomu was wreaking havoc at the 1995 World Cup.
His personal record against New Zealand, in age group rugby and now at senior level, is played three, won two.
‘‘Part of me can’t believe it,’’ he admitted of his rapid rise. ‘‘It has been an incredible road to where I am at.
‘‘At the same time, it has been an awful lot of hard work. That’s what it takes to progress in international rugby and professional rugby in general.
‘‘It has been a massive yearand-a-half for me. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.’’
‘‘It has been an incredible road to where I am at.’’ Jacob Stockdale