Fla looks at maybe why Ireland underperformed so badly last week, and tells us about his own battles with New Zealand.
The All Blacks. Three little words that strike fear into the hearts of most normal rugby players. This seems particularly true for Irish rugby players as the All Blacks are a team we have never managed to beat. This in itself has created a barrier that each Irish team must first get through upon taking the field against the All Blacks. Belief is going to be the most important factor if Ireland are to finally defeat the Kiwis.
Unfortunately, last weekend’s performance against Australia wasn’t really the ideal precursor to filling the Irish team with the belief that they can go out this Sunday and do what no other Irish team has done before.
Looking back on the defeat to Australia, it was hard to find any player bar Fergus McFadden who played up to the level expected of them. I don’t for a second buy into the idea that Ireland were intimidated by the Wallabies but there seemed to be a real lack of spark in the Irish play. The Irish players seemed to play within themselves like they were thinking their way through each play rather than playing on instinct and being physical.
For me, one of the most important factors in winning a test game is the ability to get the correct mix of detail and physicality in the game plan. From all I’ve heard, Joe Schmidt is massive on the detail side of the game plan and this is a huge bonus for Ireland. In the past, Irish teams may have lacked a bit on detail so Schmidt’s focus on that is welcome and should pay off very well down the line.
Details, details, details…
The first three days of the week of a test match should be the period where the fine details of each player’s role are rehearsed and memorised. This leaves the Thursday and Friday sessions for concentrating on the physical side of things. The exact positioning, calls and specific lines of running should be second nature by then. Backs can concentrate on running moves at full speed, forwards can trust the technique work done early on in the week in the scrum and can now focus on applying it with maximum intensity.
Successful preparation like this creates a scenario where the players take the field knowing their roles inside out and they can focus on bringing as much physicality as possible to the game. The alternative to this is when players are not 100 per cent on the detail of the game plan. This causes players to spend vital split seconds thinking about whether or not they are running the right lines or if their timing is correct. The result of this distracted thought process leads to a player’s focus on the physical aspect being diminished and at test level rugby anything less than 100 per cent physicality is ruthlessly exposed.
Looking at last weekend, this could well have been a factor in the disappointing performance against the Wallabies. Hopefully, going into this weekend, the benefit of another week’s training will see the Irish side better placed to get that blend of physicality and detail just right in the run up to kick-off.
After last weekend, nobody will have been more disappointed than the players because losing a game and feeling you never really played to your potential is hugely frustrating. That will certainly drive the lads on to have a better showing on Sunday against New Zealand. Our kicking will be better, our breakdown will be better and hopefully the defensive system errors will be resolved too.
That said, the 20-point handicap the bookies have on the game is fair. Like I said at the start, belief is the key and I do hold out hope for a win, but first of all I am looking for a performance. There is always a chance, and this weekend it’s going to be a slim one against the All Blacks.
I played the All Blacks four times in my career, three times over there, once here, and I always loved it. I have an aunt and uncle in New Zealand so I always kept an eye on New Zealand rugby and I was a big fan growing up. Unfortunately I’ve never experienced victory against New Zealand but I’m hopeful that I did earn the respect of the players I played against during my heroic battles with the mighty All Blacks.
BOD and Paul O’Connell on the 2006 New Zealand tour
My first game against the All Blacks was in Hamilton in New Zealand in June 2006. At that stage I was still a relative newcomer to test rugby but I had definitely noticed a change in the mood of the squad in the lead up to the game. Players were more somber and the vibe was slightly down. The night before the game our coach Eddie O’Sullivan pulled me aside in the hotel. I looked good. I was wearing a nice grey Henley tee shirt layered over a simple white tee along with dark slim jeans and cool brown shoes. I was relaxed and ready for the battle the next day but the boss looked rattled.
EO’S-“Fla, I’m shitting it kid!”
This wasn’t like Eddie, he was a cool dude who kept his emotions on ice. We sometimes called him “Iceman”, which I think he liked as it reminded him of the character from the Tom Cruise movie “Top Gun”.
EO’S-“Look Fla, I’m gonna cut to the chase here. Since you’ve come into this team you’ve been the catalyst to turn it from an under-achieving side in the 2005 Autumn internationals into the Triple Crown Champions of 2006. I’ve picked you for this team because apart from being an incredibly well rounded footballer and a fantastic hooker you exude belief like no other man I’ve ever come across.”
Me-“Okay, okay Ed, get your tongue out of my ass already! What’s the real issue here?”
EO’S-“Look, I’m not sure the lads really believe that they can do this tomorrow. I’m looking at Drico’s body language and it’s all wrong. I love the guy but he’s after growing his hair really long and bleaching it blonde whilst going through some sort of weird celebrity phase. I think we need somebody else to lead us tomorrow, somebody we know will intimidate the Kiwis and inspire the lads to victory. Fla, I want you to captain the side tomorrow.”
I thought hard on the prospect of leading my country to a historical victory over the All Blacks, the sweet taste of success and the glory of being the first team to finally beat them. However, I had played with Drico since schoolboys and I believed in him. I wasn’t gonna strip a mate of the Irish captaincy like that to go chasing a big W over the Kiwis. No, I was gonna back my captain because I believed in us.
Me-“Sorry Ed, that ain’t happening buddy. Drico’s my boy and I got his back. We’re gonna do this shit together with him as skipper.”
EO’S-“Okay Fla, then all I can do is admire your principles and respect your decision. Just promise me you’ll give ‘em hell tomorrow mate.”
Me-“No doubt Iceman…”
E’OS-“Oh and Fla…. if for some reason I don’t pick you in the future, you know its probably because I’ve gone mental. Thanks for the chat big man, I’m feeling better already.”
Me-“Anytime boss, now get yourself off to bed and I’ll see you in the morning.”
[Fla’s Note: ‘The Iceman’ may not have actually said any of this]
Unfortunately that game didn’t go to plan and that losing streak continued throughout the rest of my encounters with the Kiwis. The best thing about playing the All Blacks is that carrot of being the first team to beat them. That is a huge motivator. You’re talking instant legend status if you play on the first Irish team to beat the All Blacks. It is the biggest challenge in international rugby, and that’s motivation in itself. I know the chances are slim but if you believe you can do it, then you’ve got yourself a chance.
And if we do beat them on Sunday, no one will give two shits about that wanky performance against Australia.
