SIMON ZEBO SAYS he would love to be coached by Ronan O’Gara at some point in his career.
O’Gara has been cited as a possible coach for Ireland’s summer tour of North America and Japan, due to the absence of Andy Farrell on Lions duty. And although Zebo hopes to be busy on tour with Farrell, he’d love to be managed by his fellow Corkonian.
“Yeah I’d love to, absolutely, he knows exactly how I tick and how I work and he’d be a great coach to work under,” said Zebo.
“He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, any time that man speaks players are going to listen.
“He’s a very good, successful coach. He’s made the transition [to coaching] really well. He’s won the Top14 as soon as he went in, he’s been in European finals, his CV is very impressive as a player and a coach.”
Ireland will play USA and Japan over the summer and O’Gara is expected to join former Ireland team-mates Girvan Dempsey and Felix Jones on Joe Schmidt’s coaching ticket.
“I’m sure if he goes on any tour with Ireland he’ll have a great impact.
“He has a cool head, he demands a high skill level, perfection, detail, but he has a very cool head on his shoulders and he’s not afraid to try things. I’d imagine as a coach he’d be the same thing. I imagine he’d be very interesting to work under.”
Meanwhile, Zebo has no concerns about Rassie Erasmus’s future at the province, but thinks they are well prepared if he does decide to go.
According to Zebo, Erasmus has spoken with some senior players in the province and given assurances that he is going nowhere, news that has filtered down through the squad.
The Muster director of rugby has two years remaining on his deal with the province, but has been tipped to take control of his native South Africa at the end of this season.
Erasmus has twice dismissed the link as ‘speculation’ and last week said he expected to be in charge at the province, and Zebo says the squad feel assured that he is going nowhere.
“The senior players’ group know what’s going on, I suppose, and things trickle down and filter down,” said Zebo.
“The organisation’s in a good place, we have come on in leaps and bounds as a squad, whether he leaves or stays I don’t think would hinder us as much as is being made out to be.
“He is putting great foundations and things like that but at the same time the players have really bought into it and are driving it on.
“He is a good, straight shooter and if there was something to be said he would have said it. I’m not concerned at all.
We have no issues over speculation and we can’t control it either. We’re not worried at all, whatever talks have gone on, I’m sure something was taken out of context. That’s what happens when you’re in a big job or when you are wanted for a big job.
“We are very much focused on the next couple of weeks we have coming up because they are going to be massive for our season.
“Rassie has left us in no doubt that there’s no need to be worried or anything and that we’re on the right path to achieve what we want to achieve.
“He knows we have heard all this speculation and all these rumours and he has assured us that we have nothing to worry about.”
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1. Gary Breen
2. Gary Breen
3. Gary Breen
4. Gary Breen
5. Gary Breen
6. Gary Breen
7. Gary Breen
8. Gary Breen
9. Gary Breen
10. Gary Breen
11 Gary Breen
There’s only 1 Gary Breen (sing it)
Now that team would have no bother Knocking a few past the Estonians!!
Please let all this Euro 2012 bullsh*t go away quickly.
Come on Estonia.
What about Keith Andrews and Caleb Folan?
That’s some team alright!
What! No Ronnie Whelan, Mark Lawrenson, Packie Bonner or John Aldridge
Should argue that the team was based on consensus, but not outright agreement, between the four co-managers. I had Bonner and Aldo in my eleven!
No Kevin Kilbane? I’m out.
Packie as GK I would argue.
Fact.
Great team – maybe Moran at the back instead of Dunne, but a close call.
Great bench too – Aldridge, Duff, O’Leary, Bonner, Quinn, Whelan, Townsend.
Agreed on Moran, not arguing with Dunne’s contribution but Moran has three major tournaments behind him. Possibly Aldo/Givens instead of Stapo??
Well what about Liam Whelan? Tony Dunne? Noel Cantwell? Johnny Carey? All should be considered except they played before armchair afficianados knew best.
Also it would be easier if you adopted the classic ‘W’ formation when allocating positions viz 1 Goalkeeper, 2 Right Back, 3 Left Back, 4 Right-Half, 5 Centre-Half, 6 Left-Half, 7 Outside Right, 8 Inside Right, 9 Centre Foward 10 Inside Left, 11 Outside Left
Sorry to be so old fashioned!
dead on but very little footage of these lads in action.
As brilliant as Liam Whelan was for United, he only had four caps for Ireland. That’s too little to be considered. Dunne rarely repeated his United form for Ireland.
Well Miguel only four caps yes but that was because he was killed at Munich. He’s was Ireland’s Duncan Edwards
wouldnt have staunton in there, irwin should be at LB. no because i dislike him as a manager, i just dont feel he was that good despite his 100+ caps. kilbane has that many and nobody rates him that highly
better irish RB would be carr, gary kelly or finnan.
john o shea won a stack of medals at united so possibly him at lb if irwin is at rb
Great except for the notable exception of one Gary Doherty
What! No Tony Grealish? The Chuck Norris of Irish football. Remember that 40 yard screamer vs Cyprus.
davie langan 12foot tall when he pulled on the green jersey one of irelands best ever
Forgotten Heroes
GK: Dean Kiely
RB: Gary Kelly
CB: Gary Breen
CB: Phil Babb
LB: Ian Harte
RM: Jason McAteer
CM: Mark Kinsella
LM: Kevin Kilbane
RF: David Connolly
CF: Gary Doherty
LF: Clinton Morrison
Where is steve highway, heart of Mick McCarthy more than the skills,
That’s a great team, no complaints there. Subs bench of Kevin Moran, Ronnie Whelan, John Aldridge, Quinner and Mick McCarthy.
What !
No Gary Waddock ?
No Ashley Grimes ?!!
What about Bernie Slaven ?!!!
Terry Phlean…any games?
Quinny instead of stapleton maybe, Lawrenson for Dunne maybe/maybe not? Duff/Houghton?, Very tight calls, Also it is quite a recent team, giles apart, Did any of the greats of the past get a look in? It is a great team however and would take a bit of beating!
I wouldn’t let Roy Keane near an Irish shirt.
0-0 tonight and 1-1 on Tuesday.
To offer my two (or maybe 11) cents… based exclusively on their performances for Ireland and effect on biggest games
1. Packie Bonner
2. Chris Hughton
3. Denis Irwin
4. Paul McGrath
5. Kevin Moran
6. Roy Keane
7. Ray Houghton
8. John Giles
9. Robbie Keane
10. Niall Quinn
11. Liam Brady
Don’t think much of Keane as a footballer. Great heart yes and Irish through & through!
Can’t argue too much about that selection. Pity no room for Ronnie Whelan. For 32 counties add Jennings,Dougan & Best…..NOW you’re talking World beaters!
. Packie Bonner
. .Steve Finnan Richard Dunne paul McGrath Denis irwin
Damian Duff Roy Keane
Johnny Giles
Liam Brady
Robbie Keane
Niall Quinn
cant forget about this amazing centre back also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoUNrjrRXw8
0-0 tonight, 1-1 Tuesday.
shu-upyatick
No place for Clinton McMorris??!!!!!
Seriously though, great team, I might just make one change…Duff for Houghton!