WITH Ireland’s unlikely exit from the World Cup now finally sinking in, the post mortem must begin. To see where Ireland need to go, we have to look at where they have come from.
As mentioned last week, Ireland, have only won one Grand Slam in the Six Nations era. In fact, they only won one in the Five Nations era too. This of course means that Ireland are nothing but inconsistant. The Irish have lost at least one game a year, (or drawn) every year since the Six Nations began. Is this the kind of form that would lead us to believe we could win a World Cup?
Don’t get me wrong. This is not a ‘stick the boot in’ piece. This is more of a search for answers piece more than anything.
Why, when faced with Wales, France and England, did Irish fans believe that we could go all the way? Did we all just get caught up in the ‘Green Mist’. I for one did.
The pysche of the Irish sporting fan is a book in itself. Ever the optimist pre game, ever the pessimist post game.
It was weird last week to see Ireland as favourites over Wales. It is a cliche, but favourites tags do not suit Ireland and in particular Irish rugby sides. If anything, the tag of favourites hangs like a millstone around our necks, dragging us back to the level of our opposition.
Last weekend’s game showed that Ireland had played way above their level to reach the quarter finals. The defeat of Australia and Italy were carried out in a non traditional Irish manner. The defeat to Wales highlighted the cracks that had been there all along.
When I asked one Irish player, before their departure to to the World Cup, what happens if O’Brien and Ferris are stopped, (as was Ireland’s game plan) he replied, “I don’t know” The lack of a plan B or the lack of an ability to think on their feet as a team was eventually Ireland’s achilles heel.
The style of rugby that Irish players are used to is cup rugby with a huge dependency on kicking. Once the tactical kicking battle was lost, Ireland had no where to go.
The over reliance on the number 10 shirt in Irish rugby sides is holding the nation back. It is half the reason the country is not producing good quality 12’s. If you think I am over reacting, just count back through the Munster 12’s over the years and see how many non Irish players have filled that vital berth.
The lack of a real number seven cost Ireland too. Again, this ‘fetching’ skill is not promoted in Irish rugby. The smaller sized, hard nosed players are often shoved into front rows instead of being encouraged to play further up the numbers.
The most annoying feature of the Irish defeat was the age profile of the Welsh side. Ireland are probably the worst team in World rugby for blooding players. Conor Murray was a bolter in this World Cup. A shock inclusion at the tender age of 22. Will Genia (23), Morgan Parra (22) and Leigh Halfpenny (22) are all seasoned rugby internationals. All given their chance becasue they were good enough.
If Ireland are trying to win the World Cup next time around, they need to start playing playing younger players now. Simple as that. The competition for places was better this time around, but it needs to be even higher. The next time Ireland go to a World Cup, we should not be able to name the team before hand.
Oh and in case you are reading this and thinking, I am being harsh and that rugby is not Ireland’s first sport, then have a look at below. It is the IRB.com list of senior male rugby players in each country in the quarter finals. It might help explain where I am coing from.
Then again, this is only my honest opinion…..
