Farrell: We can learn from 2007
DEFENCE COACH: IRELAND ARE READY TO PROVE A POINT
Andy Farrell believes Ireland can take heart from what happened to England back in 2007 as they look to get their bid for Rugby World Cup glory in Japan back on track.
The Irish found themselves on the wrong end of a stunning upset with a 19-12 loss to tournament hosts Japan on Saturday that ignited interest in this World Cup and threw Pool A wide open.
Nevertheless, wins over Russia in Kobe today and Samoa on October 12 could now see Joe Schmidt’s Ireland into a quarterfinal likely to be against either reigning champions New Zealand or South Africa.
Meanwhile defence coach Farrell said there were lessons Ireland could learn from the England team he played for at the 2007 World Cup in France.
England were hammered 36-0 by South Africa in the pool phase only to face the Springboks again in the final.
Mark Cueto, the England wing, had a try controversially disallowed as South Africa won 15-6 but Farrell said the way the Red Rose brigade bounced back from their pool thumping provided Ireland with a template in Japan.
“The Japan defeat is a setback, but it’s also something you can use in the right manner,” Farrell told reporters at the Kobe Misaki Stadium yesterday.
“If you look at the last two World Cups, South Africa losing to Japan, then going on to lose the semifinal 20-18 (to New Zealand).
“Then in 2011 France seemed to be in disarray throughout that competition and there’s a debate on whether they should have won the final (against New Zealand) or not.
“And even in 2007 I was part of the England squad that had a thrashing off South Africa. There was a bit of turmoil in that camp but then we managed to get to the final, and there was some debate about a try that was disallowed.”
Former dual code international Farrell added: “So you can use these things to your advantage. They are not ideal, but if you use them to your advantage then you can grow.
“After a couple of days, we understand the reasons why we lost, we’re in good spirits, back on track – and ready to prove a point.” – AFP