Stockdale relieved to leave Aviva with special feeling

ULSTER’S Jacob Stockdale hasn’t let many games pass him by without getting across the whitewash of late and, in the biggest game of his career, Saturday would prove no different.

The 21-year-old made his Ireland debut against the USA in New Jersey last summer, scoring that day after collecting a fine pass from Keith Earls, but to play in a home Test, against South Africa no less, was a different kettle of fish and the fulfilment of a childhood dream.

Standing in a sold-out Aviva as the anthems blared, the young- ster admitted he had little time to take it all in.

“To be honest I was just trying to keep myself calm and collected,” he said.

“I knew that if I knew what I was doing during the game, I’d be alright, so I was trying to stay focused.

“The first games in New York and Japan were really special, they were really, really good experiences, but nothing compares to that anthem in a packed Aviva Stadium.

“It’s pretty special, isn’t it?” In front of watching parents, sisters and his girlfriend, it certainly was for the former Wallace High stand-out who had more and more influence on the game as it wore on, culminating in a highlight-filled final quarter.

First there was his huge hit on Dillyn Leyds that forced his opposing wing to knock the ball on and give possession back to Ireland, and it was then he finally got a chance to show his considerable pace.

Screaming on to a nice inside pass from Johnny Sexton, the speedster was instrumental in Rhys Ruddock’s try that sealed the game for Ireland, before grabbing his second Test try when he finished off a flowing move in the left corner.

“I mean this was my first game against a Tier 1 nation so I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said.

“But I felt like I grew into the game really well and felt comfortable by the end of it, and yeah, I was enjoying myself when I made that hit to be honest.

“It was good to get my hands on the ball a wee bit and really go hard at them.

“(Scoring) was phenomenal. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.

“It was a bit of relief that I actually scored — it was just a really great feeling.

“If I score I don’t really know what I do after.”

Even with his key involvements in stretching Ireland’s lead in the closing stages, Stockdale knows that it will take more to wholly satisfy the exacting eye of Joe Schmidt.

The head coach is famous for his “work-ons” and, as is par for the course, there were some for his latest charge.

“Joe demands excellence and I think that’s why he’s been so successful.

“For me coming in, it’s tough, but I think it’s a really, really enjoyable challenge and I’m really enjoying it.

“He just said that it was a great win and that we need to go and do the same next week and the week after, he said we did well but we have to keep work-