CAPTAIN RORY BEST has rejected the notion that Ireland are being bullied, as they look to end a four-game winless streak when they take on Italy in a Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow [KO 1.30pm].
Ireland wait on Conor Murray to arrive for their team photo. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The spirit-crushing World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina late last year has been followed by a draw against Wales and defeats to France and England in the current Six Nations.
Each of those fixtures has seen Ireland come off second best in the ‘streetwise’ stakes, with the opposition often looking savvier and mentally tougher than Joe Schmidt’s side.
However, Best believes that the impression that Ireland are being bullied has been borne out of his side’s shortcomings at the set-piece.
I think that if you take a look at the set-piece, the scrum in the first two games didn’t function the way we wanted,” said Best after Ireland’s captain’s run at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.
“We were better in the scrum in the third game, but the lineout… we didn’t quite nail it in the third game. The perception that we’ve been bullied maybe came from the fact the set-piece hasn’t been where we’d want it in certain aspects.
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“But the way we went after Wales, the way we cleaned rucks and attacked the game – that wasn’t us being bullied, that was us seizing the initiative. Probably in the last two games we’ve perhaps let teams dictate to us a little bit, but that is another part of growing as a group.”
Best knows his throwing needs to be on the money tomorrow. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The winless run has led to criticism of head coach Schmidt, with some a very small minority even suggesting that the Kiwi’s job might be in danger.
Again, Best dismissed the idea that the authority of Schmidt and his coaching team has faded in any way and instead underlined the intent he and his teammates have to earn a victory tomorrow in Dublin.
“As a player group, we don’t feel we need to win the game to assert the authority there,” said Best. “When you’re in this environment you realise how well prepared we are.
I’ve been around a few coaching set-ups with Ulster and Ireland and this is one of the best coaching set-ups I’ve been involved in with any team. Obviously everyone picks stuff apart on results, but we know the preparation we’re getting.
“And we know that at times as players we haven’t delivered on promises that we make to each other during the week. So, from that point of view a result would go a long way to helping everyone in terms of really bedding us into international rugby.
“But in terms of the coaching ticket, it’s always nice to get a win and that’s ultimately what we’re here to do.”
Ireland are certainly strong favourites to notch their first victory of this Six Nations campaign, but Italy will feel that they are meeting the 2014 and 2015 champions at exactly the right time.
Ireland feel Italy will sense opportunity for an upset. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Confidence levels are obviously low and Schmidt’s side are lacking the attacking accuracy that featured in those title-winning years. Sergio Parisse and co. will smell blood and Best knows Ireland have to deal with that mentally.
“They will be thinking this is their big opportunity to get a scalp, and that in itself produces extra pressure on us,” said Best, “but I’m very sure the boys will stand up tomorrow.
“There has been a bit of a steep learning-curve for some players. People are starting to get the idea of what the difference of this group has been in the past.
“Call it the real Ireland, call it whatever you want, but they are the standards we expect to live by and play by, and we haven’t reached them. That’s where we hope to get to tomorrow.”
Captain Rory Best rejects the notion that Ireland are being bullied
CAPTAIN RORY BEST has rejected the notion that Ireland are being bullied, as they look to end a four-game winless streak when they take on Italy in a Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow [KO 1.30pm].
The spirit-crushing World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina late last year has been followed by a draw against Wales and defeats to France and England in the current Six Nations.
Each of those fixtures has seen Ireland come off second best in the ‘streetwise’ stakes, with the opposition often looking savvier and mentally tougher than Joe Schmidt’s side.
However, Best believes that the impression that Ireland are being bullied has been borne out of his side’s shortcomings at the set-piece.
“We were better in the scrum in the third game, but the lineout… we didn’t quite nail it in the third game. The perception that we’ve been bullied maybe came from the fact the set-piece hasn’t been where we’d want it in certain aspects.
“But the way we went after Wales, the way we cleaned rucks and attacked the game – that wasn’t us being bullied, that was us seizing the initiative. Probably in the last two games we’ve perhaps let teams dictate to us a little bit, but that is another part of growing as a group.”
The winless run has led to criticism of head coach Schmidt, with some a very small minority even suggesting that the Kiwi’s job might be in danger.
Again, Best dismissed the idea that the authority of Schmidt and his coaching team has faded in any way and instead underlined the intent he and his teammates have to earn a victory tomorrow in Dublin.
“As a player group, we don’t feel we need to win the game to assert the authority there,” said Best. “When you’re in this environment you realise how well prepared we are.
“And we know that at times as players we haven’t delivered on promises that we make to each other during the week. So, from that point of view a result would go a long way to helping everyone in terms of really bedding us into international rugby.
“But in terms of the coaching ticket, it’s always nice to get a win and that’s ultimately what we’re here to do.”
Ireland are certainly strong favourites to notch their first victory of this Six Nations campaign, but Italy will feel that they are meeting the 2014 and 2015 champions at exactly the right time.
Confidence levels are obviously low and Schmidt’s side are lacking the attacking accuracy that featured in those title-winning years. Sergio Parisse and co. will smell blood and Best knows Ireland have to deal with that mentally.
“They will be thinking this is their big opportunity to get a scalp, and that in itself produces extra pressure on us,” said Best, “but I’m very sure the boys will stand up tomorrow.
“There has been a bit of a steep learning-curve for some players. People are starting to get the idea of what the difference of this group has been in the past.
“Call it the real Ireland, call it whatever you want, but they are the standards we expect to live by and play by, and we haven’t reached them. That’s where we hope to get to tomorrow.”
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6 Nations BULLIED Ireland Joe Schmidt standards Italy Under Pressure