JIBES FROM JONES ARE LAUGHING MATTER FOR VERN
Cotter unfazed by Japan coach’s dig but Scots boss can’t hide his upset at untimely loss of McInally
STICKS and stones from eddie Jones? not likely to put so much as a dent in the hardened armour of Vern Cotter, a man with more seriously painful issues to cope with at the moment.
Appearing genuinely wounded by the personal i njury agony s uffered by f orward stuart Mcinally, ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a bulging neck disc, the famously stern scotland head coach brushed aside his Japan counterpart’s rather blunt declarations in yesterday’s Sportsmail.
Aussie agitator Jones, now in charge of scotland’s first group opponents, believes Cotter has made a mistake by picking only John Hardie as his sole specialist openside flanker in the tournament squad of 31.
Cotter, who has always insisted that other players in the squad can cover the back row if needed, actually laughed — and there is a rarity from stern Vern — as he said: ‘Was that eddie? eddie’s had a crack at just about everybody, hasn’t he?
‘Look, eddie is probably right. in theory. But he doesn’t know Fraser Brown and he doesn’t know Ryan Wilson. i think eddie’s had a crack at everybody. it’s just our turn.’
Asked i f he thought former Australia coach Jones was indulging in mind games, Cotter said: ‘ Aw, gee, i’m not smart enough to get involved in all that. We’ve got a job ahead. We’re focused on that and not worrying about anybody else.
‘i’ve met eddie. We know how good he is and he’ll have his team well prepared. We’ve faced each other in super Rugby, yeah, but that’s a few years ago now.
‘He’s vastly experienced a nd we all have an e normous a mount of respect for eddie and what he’s achieved. We know he’ll have prepared his team well. We’ve done the same and the game will be what it is.’
Cotter was clearly upset by the misfortune suffered by Mcinally, explaining: ‘He had a weight session last week and we thought he’d strained his neck.
‘He didn’t train. He then felt things further down his arm. The doc took him very quickly for an MRi and he then found out that he had a bulging disc.
‘i’m really sorry for stuart. it’s terrible for him. it’s one of those things that does happen in the game. He was at the send- off dinner and then, unfortunately, he can’t come with us. We feel for him.
‘Like everybody, he’s put in a lot of work and he thought he was hopping on a plane down to the World Cup.
‘That’s changed. We just have to move forward, although it’s very, very unfortunate and we all feel desperately for him.’
Kevin Bryce has been called in to replace Mcinally as a hooker but Cotter insisted that the Glasgow forward will — like Mcinally — be a back-up for the back row.
‘it almost had a double impact but we’re lucky that Kevin has played in the loose forwards, as well,’ said the Kiwi coach.
‘He played against Canada on tour last year and came in there, so he’s able — as is Fraser Brown — to cover those positions.
‘Kevin is robust. He’s a very good ball carrier and he’s an aggressive character who likes bringing the physical edge to his game. He’s a big, strong character. And a competitor.’
Within the squad, there is an eagerness to get on with the business of actually playing in a World Cup, Cotter noting that ‘since the France game, there’s been a feeling we’ve been treading water a little bit’.
Players have had days off to spend time with family but, when they get on the flight south to their Gloucester base tomorrow, they will have a full week to wait for that opening fixture.
‘it’s been a great two-and-a-half months, seeing the players find out more about themselves and develop their characters and personalities, develop their rugby skills too,’ said Cotter.
‘i think there is a real focus on starting this World Cup well. We know it starts hard and fast with two games in four days. We’re happy but the key thing now is staying calm, i n control and focused.
‘We’ve got a long week ahead of us waiting for the Japan game, with the World Cup starting before we do. We need to stick to our process.
‘We’ve been practising a lot of different scenarios. We just need to perform. As all coaches have said, we need to work our way to the kick-off and then get through that first 80 minutes.
‘it will be tough and we’ll have to rock and roll with a few punches, but we’re ready.
‘There will a bit more spare time for the players now that we’re not doing so much heavy physical stuff, maybe some time in front of the video.
‘And we’ll be looking at other activities, trying to make sure there isn’t too much time staring at the walls. As everybody knows, it’s about striking a balance. We don’t want to play the game too early, in our heads.
‘i think of Alex Ferguson’s great expression about playing the game, not the occasion. so everything will be focused on kick-off.
‘i’d love to be under way straight away but there’s no point in thinking about it. We have a short turnaround and it’s going to be a challenge.
‘We are focused on what we need to do. The start will be important, the speed of recovery, too.
‘There will be days when we need to put the shotgun on the other shoulder and l earn to shoot left-handed.’
Asked if he planned to inspire players with an emotion-manipulating speech about playing for their families, their communities, their countries and the generations who have gone before, Cotter l ooked quite dismissive as he said: ‘no. i don’t want to weigh the guys down.
‘i want the guys to think about the game. i’ll pick them up when it finishes.’
Eddie has had a crack at almost everybody. It’s just our turn