Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CARBED OPEN BY JOEY
THIS tale of two passes was another important day in the education of Joey Carbery.
The 23-year-old bounced back from gifting a try to Scotland just moments after replacing Johnny Sexton to create the match-winning score for Ireland on Saturday.
Carbery was under a harsh spotlight when he messed up at Murrayfield, firing into the path of a grateful Finn Russell who set up Sam Johnson to cross the line.
Initially rocked by that mistake, he came out firing in the second half and landed the knockout blow with a midfield break and perfect pass for Keith Earls to put the visitors out of sight.
“Any time we get that opportunity for guys like Joey, he’s got to profit from it,” said Joe Schmidt.
The Ireland boss was pleased too that Carbery grew in composure despite his error and with the game in the balance.
“He was a bit ruffled, especially after that intercept,” admitted the Kiwi. “You know what? That is good growth. That’s a good opportunity to say, ‘I’m under pressure here now, the team is under pressure, I’ve got to stay in the game, make good decisions and I’ve still to boss the team well’.”
Carbery may well start against
Italy in a fortnight after Sexton
(inset) failed a head injury test.
And the Munster star said: “If you learn from them and take them the right way, it’s great to make mistakes – though obviously not at the time! Two or three years down the line you might learn from it so much more. “If you’re not making mistakes you’re probably doing the right thing. But, look, mistakes happen.
“It’s how we react to them and then learn and hopefully they don’t happen again. “It’s not great seeing Johnny go down but on a personal level it was great to get the experience.
“To be able to play week in, week out at No.10 in big
games like in the Champions Cup and PRO14, it’s crucial for me and I’m loving every minute.”
The power of positivity got Carbery there in the end, his cunning midfield break and superb long pass to Earls proving the killer act in an absorbing contest.
“The ball felt like it was in the air for an eternity,” smiled Carbery.
“I knew Earlsy was going to be out there so I just chucked it and hoped that he’d get it and he did.
“He’s a great man to stick with the play and follow through so I kind of had an inkling he was going to be there.”
Afterwards, Russell provided an opposing No.10’s view on Carbery’s rise. “The way he plays, it’s exciting,” the Scot said. “He looks to run and have a go, setting guys up or taking it on himself.
“When you play an attacking game, there are going to be mistakes. Everyone does it but it’s how you learn from them and bounce back. Joey’s a different threat – you saw that try he set up. He’s playing really well.”
Meanwhile, Schmidt hopes that if Ireland fail to defend their Six Nations crown he will have at least added extra squad depth ahead of the World Cup.
Referencing the fact he has already won three championships on his watch, he hinted the raft of injuries he has had to contend with could make his options stronger in Japan.
“We’ve done well in the Six Nations in the last five years so if it doesn’t come to pass this year there’s a big thing at the end of the year for us,” said Schmidt.
“Any time we get the opportunity to blend guys in, be forced to make late changes and reconstruct what we do on the pitch, it helps vaccinate us against what happened at the 2015 World Cup.
“While no vaccination is 100%, you’re hoping that inch by inch you can get a little bit more comfortable and confident that people can step in and do a job.”