Conan: Carbery no ordinary Joey
JOEY CARBERY will solve his goal-kicking issues to blossom into a frontline fly-half for Ireland, according to team-mate Jack Conan.
Promising Leinster pivot Carbery’s two missed conversions almost cost Ireland on Saturday as Joe Schmidt’s men edged out a nervy 23-20 win over Fiji in Dublin.
Ian Keatley came off the bench to slot two late penalties to seal the win, as Ireland squeezed home after making 13 changes from the 38-3 win over South Africa.
Carbery suffered a suspected broken arm to cut short a threatening attacking display, and could now be sidelined for two months, but drew high praise from Leinster team-mate Conan.
“He’s a fantastic talent and a great bloke and I know he’ll bounce back better than ever,” said Conan.
“It’s just testament to his quality; that first line break from out of nowhere to set up that first try, that was fantastic. And he’s really one for the future.”
Conan claimed a sharp score to add to tries from Darren Sweetnam and Dave Kearney as Ireland raced into a 17-3 lead in Dublin only to be hauled back by the gritty Fijians.
Ireland managed to ride out Carbery’s two missed conversions, but those struggles from the tee highlighted the main area for improvement for the fast-improving Leinster star.
Conan said: “He’s got a calm head on his shoulders and he’s only 22, so I’d back Joey in every aspect to succeed.
“We see him every day in training, he’s already an absolutely fantastic player and he’s only going to get better.”