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Ireland out-half Joey Carbery. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

'Getting back into rugby has been a lot harder than getting over the injury'

Joey Carbery is hoping to kick on after a strong showing off the bench against New Zealand.

LAST UPDATE | 18 Nov 2021

BACK IN 2016 Joey Carbery was Irish rugby’s boy wonder, and the milestones were coming thick and fast. That season Carbery earned his first Pro12 start and first Champions Cup appearance before making his Ireland debut against New Zealand in Chicago, just as he turned 21.

The future looked bright, but we all know what happened next. Opportunities were limited at Leinster, so Carbery swapped Dublin for Limerick. Then the injuries arrived.

In the five years since that Chicago game, Carbery has started just eight games for Ireland. That should become nine this weekend, with the Munster out-half in line to start at 10 for Sunday’s clash with Argentina, fresh from playing an important role off the bench in another famous win against the All Blacks.

Last Saturday, his three high-pressure penalties saw Ireland over the line. In those moments, it felt like he had never been away.

“It was great for me, great for my confidence,” Carbery says.

“I think getting back into rugby has been a lot harder than getting over the injury, to be honest, because you’re out for so long. If you don’t do something you get a bit rusty, and I’ve felt like it has taken me a while to get back into it.

“You can do as much video as you want and watch training, but until you actually do it and get back out there, it’s a different ball game. That’s been the hardest thing really, getting back into the swing of things.”

joey-carbery-kicks-a-penalty Carbery kicked three penalties against New Zealand last weekend. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

Carbery, who turned 26 on 1 November, says confidence was never an issue as he worked his way back from a succession of injury issues. That much was evident when he nailed a booming 50-metre kick at the Aviva last week.

However, he knows that he still isn’t quite at the level he wants to be.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be totally there,” he explains.

“I can always improve on something, but getting consistent game-time and getting back into the rhythm of everything, it obviously takes a while.

“I wasn’t too sure how long it would take and I suppose it’s still taking its time. Just being patient with that, being out for long, getting back playing games then after the summer break getting back into it again.

“These things take time. To be honest, I am loving it, loving being injury-free.

“I definitely think I’m stronger for it. There were a few tough times but I’m delighted to be on the other side of it now. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fit and I’m just really loving things at the moment.”

He’s also loving Ireland new-found attacking verve, where forwards and backs can combine neatly and the role of first receiver is shared to a greater degree. 

“It’s great. I love how our backs are capable of stepping up. You see Garry (Ringrose), James (Lowe), they are well able to step into first receiver if the 10 isn’t there.

“It just makes my job a lot easier. Having that continuity and players around you who understand it makes a huge difference.

“(And) As a 10 anyway, it makes my job easier having forwards who are dynamic and getting go-forward. It’s credit to the boys, they are really carrying that at the moment.” 

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 18th 2021, 9:06 AM

    2 serious lumps of BS journalism in this.
    1 Opportunitys were not limited at leinster he was in the 23 for all big games and was asked to play 15 as Rob Kearney was injured most of that season.
    2 injuries didnt start when he moved to munster, he’d missed a good bit of rugby injured at leinster including a broken arm.
    He was down to play a run at 10 when he broke his arm.
    He moved under pressure/influence from joe S who needed a 10 to cover Sexton as madigan had moved overseas, Blayendael was injured and keatley wasnt good enough.
    The IRFU also sacked jackson and tried to move joey to ulster to appease Ulster and get another 10 playing rugby.
    Joey didnt want to move but with the PROMISE of a world cup he decided Munster would be the better option.

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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Nov 18th 2021, 12:04 PM

    @Chris Mc: bit of an overreaction to a 2 sentence summation, in an article mostly about about a player returning to the fold after an extended absence.
    Also given that 10 was his preferred position and he was going to be the 3rd choice going forward at Leinster, it’s fair to say that his opportunities were limited. Ross Byrne is an established senior player now, but his opportunities are still be being limited by being second choice to Sexton.
    And yes he had some injuries before his move, but considering he has had a number of very serious injuries that have ruled him out for the majority of the last 2/3 years, it’s fair to say injuries been an issue.
    A bit harsh on author for what is a brief and fair summary in an intro paragraph

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 18th 2021, 1:15 PM

    @Johnny 5: who sayd he was behind ross? Joey was in european squads that ross was left out of. 12 weeks out i believe with a broken arm is long enough for a player in his first or second season.
    The point is this fits into the rubish that joey got injured because of IRFU /joe s mismanagement. He always had a high injury profile.
    The author is a journalist and as such should not write stuff that simply is not accurate.

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    Mute Stephen O'Sullivan
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    Nov 18th 2021, 9:15 AM

    Go for it Joey. Impeccable place kicking last Saturday

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    Mute Michael Uzice
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    Nov 18th 2021, 2:09 PM

    Hope he has a great game on Sunday and gets a good run of provincial over the next couple of months before the 6 nations .
    We need someone that is right up there with sexton . Hope he’s the man to do that .

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