REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Series win is another landmark for Ireland
Schmidt won’t settle just for what he has
FROM late August, the rugby season will resume and it won’t pause until the World Cup is concluded in November 2019. But these coming weeks are precious for players recuperating after a gruelling campaign — the most successful one, by a mile, in the history of Irish rugby.
They can savour a series win in Australia that comes after a Grand Slam, as well as European Cup and Pro14 glory for Leinster.
The tale of the tour was distinguished by some inspiring elements. THE WINNER
Johnny Sexton is a marvel. There are children of Munster who would fight on their backs to defend Ronan O’Gara’s status as Ireland rugby’s pre-eminent No10, but Sexton is central to the most successful side in Irish history.
He has clinched major matches for Ireland so often now that his importance is almost unsettling. There is an assuredness about his presence on the side that radiates far beyond the stands to, one suspects, many of his team-mates.
He did it again in Sydney, winning and kicking the last penalty to insulate Ireland against Australia’s late desperation.
Leinster fans — or coaches — won’t like to hear it, but do not expect to see Sexton on a rugby field again for three months. He has to be kept like a secret in a World Cup year.
THE LEADER
AFTER the stilted presentation of a piece of crystal (the Lansdowne Cup, apparently) to Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony, O’Mahony walked away from the blazers back towards his players.
He was eventually summoned back for a very brief interview, before re-joining his squad. O’Mahony is a players’ man, a captain by actions and not by smoothly negotiating the diplomatic niceties that come with the position. He had a tremendous tour, even if his part in the third Test ended abruptly in injury before half time. He looked devastated afterwards, but he will, in time, understand how successful this trip has been for him. He is, along with CJ Stander, immovable in the Irish back row, but more significant could be his conduct as captain.
O’Mahony was terrific, and Joe Schmidt must think about whether it’s time to give him the position permanently.
THE METRONOME
STANDER has many critics, and off the pitch he smiles through their reservations and nit-picking and occasional mean-spiritedness.
And on it, he plays so well, so consistently, that he makes their unhappiness look ridiculous.
It is easy to see why Schmidt has such a high estimation of him. As a tackler, he is solid; as an attacker, he is predictable, not blessed with good footwork, but so strong and so committed that he always ekes out a metre.
And the general Stander package is hugely impressive: disciplined, reliable, and supremely fit.
There is an understated leadership to him, as well, evident on Saturday when immediately raising concerns about the injury O’Mahony suffered and the nature of Israel Folau’s contact with his team-mate.
He is another certain to start once he is fit.
THE UNDERSTUDY
This is a point related to the case made for Sexton. Joey Carbery didn’t have a great tour. He started in the first Test in Brisbane and did okay, but really no more than that.
To judge him too harshly for that would be unfair, given his relative inexperience at playing in the position, let alone at Test level.
However, that means he has a job of work ahead of him once he arrives at Thomond Park and starts with Munster next season.
Carbery needs to play plenty of matches and he needs to show in them that he can help his country out in the event of injury to Sexton.
It isn’t credible to suppose he could have the impact of the veteran, but he has to inspire Ireland to at least maintain a challenge in those circumstances.
THE MAINSTAY
DEVIN TONER, for a man who stands 6ft 10ins, slips through the conversation about this mighty generation of Irish rugby players, practically unnoticed.
He is not a dynamic athlete like James Ryan. Toner doesn’t have the handling skills of locks like Brodie Retallick, either.
But much like Stander, he shows up. Week after week, in match after match, Toner plays close to the maximum of his ability.
That is a virtue that coaches prize highly, because they need to know their teams are going to be consistent. Picking players like Toner guarantees that.
Injury to Iain Henderson made the second-row combination for Sydney obvious, but Toner should keep his place, once his fitness remains. His height is a big advantage at the lineout, but his general industry complements the more striking interventions by Ryan.
THE SUPPORTING CAST
OUTSIDE of Carbery, Jordan Larmour was perhaps the most high-profile of those players straining to burst in from the fringes to
the centre of Schmidt’s attention.
Those opportunities arose, particularly in the second Test when an early injury to Andrew Conway saw Larmour enter the mix.
He was excellent. His pace and mesmeric footwork are well established, but he supplemented his natural talents with good tackling and discipline. His quality and versatility make him the back-three squad cover.
Conway was dreadfully unlucky after suffering an injury in scoring a try in Melbourne. He is tough, fast and good in the air, though, and will challenge for a starting place next season.
Sean Cronin’s tour took a rotten turn when injuring a hamstring before the final Test, and it is hard to see him playing his way into major contention, seeing as Niall Scannell was excellent, as he was a week earlier.
THE MASTERMIND
SCHMIDT has just overseen the most successful summer tour of any northern hemisphere team.
His status as the greatest coach in Irish rugby history was long ago assured, but there is no sign of him losing his intensity or settling for what he has.
The suggestion from the IRFU performance director, David Nucifora, that Schmidt might stay on after the next World Cup, seemed a product of wishful thinking more than any firm indication there are grounds for optimism.
But even the faintest notion that he might stay on should be vigorously pursued by the Union, because Schmidt is the most important moving part in the Irish team’s machinery.
He isn’t a man given to relaxation, but for a few weeks at least, he should be satisfied with a job terrifically done.