Happy in defeat: Gert Smal
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Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal said he's excited about the new talent that is progressing through the ranks in the international setup at the current time.
Smal spoke of "positive energy" in the squad despite the loss to South Africa, with the coach happy with the way the new players stepped up.
"I don't want to be giving excuses from what happened in the course of the week, but let me put it this way, I think these weeks have been the most challenging two weeks, for me specifically, with the Irish team," he told irishrugby.ie.
"A little of the combinations put pressure on us a little bit. If we can get a little more forward momentum, playing in the right places, be aggressive in our ball carriers, get their team-mates to be aggressive in their clear outs, we'll start creating go-forward ball."
Four players made their debut against South Africa last weekend - Richardt Strauss, David Kilcoyne, Michael Bent and Iain Henderson - which made the day extra special for Smal.
"This is a special group. It's a different group to what we have had in the past. They've got a different ambition and they also want to create their own legacy, as they have said themselves," he added.
"With good players coming in and out because of injuries, the excitement and ambition they have to create their own legacy is quite important.
"That's what I'm experiencing at the moment and there's a lot of positive energy around.
"I am very excited by Dave (Kilcoyne). He is still cutting his teeth in the squad I think, but the last two weeks he has been working really hard. He is an exciting little player.
"You know what his nickname is? It's 'Killer'. That's what you experience with him, in the runs, in the practice, the way he does things. He looks like a little killer.
"He is a great little player. We also have Stephen Archer with us now in the squad, they are both exciting little players that we can work with in the future."
Comments
damo says...
@ connaughtabu
1 small point - Murray has proven not to be international standard, Redden has made a number of mistakes in his Irish appearances Marmian is young and fearless but Marshall for sure my starting 9 and one other point SA are ranked 2nd in world and turned up playing like a team who would not beat Fiji Ireland couldnt take advantage, in all honesty if England had of been us and I hate to say it SA would have lost by 30+ points and why ? its because SA were lined up to lose but Dekkie couldn't manage to line up a team with a plan to win!!! Poor manager for years now - Healip is way over rated, Darcy was good 5 years ago and not since I really am amazed Kidney is still in control of picking the team as he is hopeless. For us to win ROG sould have been at 10 the last 3 years and $exy at 12 BOD at 13 !!!!!!!!!!!!! Kidney never did that he added rubbish like Darcy and Earls into those positions.
Posted 21:32 15th November 2012
Ulsterman1999 says...
I don't know where people get the idea that Henderson is going to develp into a future Irish International second row anytime soon. At present Ulster have a very good combination in Muller and Touhy with the very capable Lewis Stevenson on the bench. Henderson isn't going to develop into a second row with Ulster. Ulster need to start thinking about life without Stephen Ferris and Henderson looks like the best candidate.
Posted 18:28 15th November 2012
connaughtabu says...
@damo: Thanks for the memories!
Let's keep our performance against the Boks in perspective - they are ranked No2 in world and Ireland wasn't far off! Admittedly the current No1, the All Blacks, are a step up!
Individually, the Irish players played well against SA, collectively however the Boks were too big and well-organised. Couple of exceptions:
1. Trimble had a poor match
2. Earls and Zebo played out of position
3. Kilcoyne and Bent had little time to integrate into the squad, but both look good.
As pointed out by Spike19, in addition to these new boys, Ireland has a number of others deserving of consideration.
1. Marmion had a super game for Conn against Harleq - he is self-confident with a magic pass off the deck! However, it was only one game!
2. Marshall must be close to a call up - Murray has the advantage of size, however, this year he has made several tactical errors. Reddan has the edge when it comes to passing
3. Touhy really should be included in the squad - "big Donnacha" has done his dash and if we need a big enforcer to come on, then maybe McCarthy is the man until Henderson is ready
4. At hooker I would like to see someone bigger than Cronin, he is just too small and his throw-ins are not up to standard. Maybe Sherry is the man?
5. I hear mention of Archer, yes he had a good game in the Rabo against a Welsh side (at tight head, I think?). However, the previous week he was soundly beaten up by the Italian international who plays for Zebre (from memory he was playing at loosehead on that day). Can he scrum?
6. Old hobbyhorse I know, BUT I would like to see Hagan sent back to Connaught where he could display his talents at tighthead rather than languish as the No3 choice with Leinster (after Ross and Bent). Physically Hagan looks the business. If left in the role as a fill-in at Leinster, others outside the country may coax him away Ireland!
:-))
Posted 11:36 15th November 2012
BiggyFint says...
Tuohy isn't that good and at 30 there's no reason McCarthy can't make a big contribution over the next two years and at the WC. McCarthy's been the best second row in Ireland all year. His performance on Saturday was the rule not the exception. People who bother to watch Connacht play will know this. In the mean time Henderson needs to be brought on. Henderson will be a far better player than Tuohy. I think ideally a Ryan and Henderson combination is the way forward. Ryan running the lineouts and Henderson adding the grunt and ball carrying ability. A concern is that Ryan needs to be playing lock for Munster. They need to sort out there backrow because asking a lad who's played 6 all season to step into the second row and make the calls is a problem Ireland doesn't need.
Posted 10:52 15th November 2012
damo says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s7L7KFO7p8
Hanrahan should be starting at 12 for Ireland, Hendersen not far off and Marmian also should be there ir not Marshall
Posted 23:29 14th November 2012
damo says...
Hey spike good write up, only thing I can comment on is "The fringe players who replaced these titans get full marks for effort but are they the future of Irish rugby? Its difficult to see the likes Henry, McLaughlin, Cave, Earls, McFadden, Touhy and Trimble fronting it against the top tier nations. While all are great provincial players none have stamped their mark at international level. "
Henry played extremely well and if you thought Heaslip was better I have to disagree, Heaslip hasn't played a number 8 role in years he is adistributor at 8??????? I don't think any 8 in the world would be picked for their country when showing fear of going into a tackle for being hurt, Henry would tackle himself if there was nothing else to tackle, Cave is streets better than Darcy or Earls at Centre, Touhy is a dynamic second row in a national side hindered by big Donnacha and his "unseen work" :) only time you see him is when he is giving away penalties!!!!!
Marmian is prob with Marshall the form number 9 in Irish rugby - his display vs Quinns was mighty but Kidney picks Murray and Redden?????? Poor selection there, Finally Conway will be world class but for now needs to step out of provincial rugby and work on putting on 2 stone of muscle and see how he goes then, Earls should do the same but he never had the talent Conway has shown at under 20s and its not too late for Conway, Earls can't pass the ball from left to right at all which is crazy for a "Lion"!!!
O'mahony/Jordi Murphy would be a far better 8 then Heaslip.
Finally Datcy and Dekkie should step aside and let the form players play!!!!
Posted 23:21 14th November 2012
Norm says...
Spike
I hear what you are saying, but really how can we judge the next wave when they struggle to get on the bench let alone a successive run of games to establish themselves Henry, McLaughlin, Cave, Touhy, McFadden of those you mention are good examples.
Take the summer tour, I dont think for a new pairing a test levet Ryan and Tuohy did that bad at all. Now I know McCArthy did well on Saturday but are we really o believe that someone 30+ ( lets throw that point in there regarding the hubris about the 31 year old Richardt Strauss as well) is the answer to our 2 nd row succession planning. Why the hell were Ryan and Tuohy not allowed to continue to foster that partnership?
Spot on re POM, but then his treatment is in keeping with the confusion we have in our back row, we dont have a 7 and whats worse we dont know what to do about it. And yes Ferris, he of no cartilage, is I fear going to have short but illustrious career so why wait til he is crocked to have a stable and regular series of understudies experienced at test level.
What bothers me most about this article is it is another futile attempt to convey a feeling of its all part of a process and actually we are just a couple of finished chances from being world beaters in every game. Nonsense and until Irish rugby's management extract their heads from their collective backsides we will continue to have releases like this telling us its raining whilst they are peeing away our international talent. We have a world class coaching team who seem to be oblivious to the fact that we are crap
Posted 21:05 14th November 2012
BiggyFint says...
My Bad I meant Henshaw in the back line not Henderson. From the sounds of the last post I may be expecting a bit much of the young Ulster man.
Posted 20:51 14th November 2012
BiggyFint says...
@ spike19 few very good points. I agree with all of the players you have mentioned that are not at the level make an impact on the international scene and get frustrated when people with obvious provincial biases are calling for there inclusion in the national side. Good team for the future too. Henderson is a serious prospect given his age and performances so far this season. We badly need someone of his size in the backline who can get over the gain line if plan A isn't working. Which is what were missing at the moment. I see more potential in Zebo at the moment compared to Gilroy and would prefer to see Henderson in the second row. We need a beefy second row that gain lend a bit more weight to the scrum. With his age and height he could develop into a Botha like player hopefully. The youth is there and weve had teams that have consistently delivered under Mike ruddock and Elwood for the last few years. Its just a matter of whether they can get the big game experience at provincial level because at the moment the old dogs are stunting there development.
Posted 20:46 14th November 2012
melkdave says...
@Spike19
I to can see a bright future for Ireland ,if these young players are given a chance,.But seriously Cronin ,instead of Strauss and Heslip at 8 instead of SOB,with C.Henry covering 7
Posted 16:58 14th November 2012
stag says...
spike19: your future team is a poor XV that would beat nobody. Fairly random aswell. Heaslip's in but no Bowe, Earls or Murray. Mike McCarthy's out for Ian Nagle who had one good game against the all blacks 2nds 3 years ago. Risteard O'Strauss is also out after one game for sean cronin no less. poor lad wasted his time learning the anthem.
Posted 16:43 14th November 2012
spike19 says...
For all their effort against the Boks Ireland looked very weak with little if any go forward. Virtually all our strike runners are injured and ageing, I doubt O'Connell and BOD will be around next season and Ferris can't even get a run of games together.
The fringe players who replaced these titans get full marks for effort but are they the future of Irish rugby? Its difficult to see the likes Henry, McLaughlin, Cave, Earls, McFadden, Touhy and Trimble fronting it against the top tier nations. While all are great provincial players none have stamped their mark at international level.
Peter O'Mahony is a great prospect but needs to find his place in the backrow or risk becoming a utility bench option. So what does the future hold? Well there is cause for optimism in the form of the emerging generation.
From Munster Archer, Kilcoyne, Sherry, Nagle, Foley, O'Donnell, Dougall and Butler are bright prospects in the pack while Keatly and Hannrahan are two smooth operators at 10/12. At Leinster Ruddock, Ryan, O'Malley, Conway, D Kearney, Murphy all have what it takes and just need time. Ulster have a wave of talent coming through McAllister, Macklin, Birch, Heaney, Jackson, Gilroy, Farrell and Michael Allen. Connacht have developed players as well with Marmion, McSharry, Griffin, Henshaw and O'Halloran forming a back line bursting with potential.
Future team: Healy, Cronin, Bent, Ryan, Nagle, Henderson, O'Brien, Heaslip, Marshall, Sexton, Zebo, McSharry, Henshaw, Gilroy, Kearney.
Posted 16:06 14th November 2012