Sean Farrell reports from Guildford
DARREN CAVE FLAT out isn’t buying the sudden scathing criticism being leveled at the man keeping him out of Ireland’s number 13 jersey.
Not making breaks and running across field were among the black marks against the Kiwi-born back, according TV3 pundit Matt Williams.
As the man who was working closest with Payne during the 44 – 10 win over Romania, Cave is a long way removed from joining the chorus led by his former Ulster coach.
“I actually thought the Canada game was potentially Jared’s best game in green,” Cave said when he was corralled for media duties in the squad’s new Surrey base today.
“I haven’t seen fully what was said about him but I’ve seen a few things. And it’s just opinion at the end of the day, it’s not really based on fact.
“I heard about him apparently kicking the ball away too much, but I think he kicked the ball twice and both times it was penalty advantage, and both times we went back for the penalty.
So we’ll deal with facts not opinions.
“I really enjoyed playing alongside him when I was named at 12 and he was named at 13 beside me, I knew I’d feel very comfortable in there.”
Opinions are still required somewhere along the line though. You can’t pick a team on facts and stats alone. So here’s Cave’s view on the man who arrived to Ulster to be a fullback but has latterly forced the natural 13 to think more about 12.
“He’s an incredible communicator. And a lot of his qualities you can almost see the way he’s been brought up, everything he does is so simple.
“I think he sees space really well, he makes really good, strong decisions on the ball and he’s a good communicator so he’s really good to defend with. And at the end of the day you want to play with guys who make your job easier, and the amount of information he gives you, I think he’s done very well for Ireland over the past while.
“And if anything I suppose I’d be a bit jealous that I haven’t got as many games as he has over the last year and done as well as he has.”
Criticism from the pundit box? Cave would be annoyed if he was the target, but would surely bite Matt Williams’ hand off for some barbs if it meant he was in Payne’s position.
“The first I heard (of it) was after Tommy had done media yesterday, because Tommy and I had actually had a chat last week about how much we were both looking forward to playing beside (Payne).
“In fairness to Jared I’d be surprised if he’s paid much attention to it, but if it was me I would probably be pretty annoyed.
“It can be frustrating when guys are just throwing out opinions which aren’t based on facts of what actually happened in the game. Then, suddenly, that becomes everyone else’s opinion, guys who’ve had a couple of beers and watched the game.
“Then after a week it’s the perception of half the nation and it’s just completely false.
“At the end of the day it can be frustrating at times but Jared will do the right thing, he’ll keep his head down, he’ll keep working hard and he’ll keep playing well for Ireland.”
Jared Payne more than any player in the irish set up does the simple things well. Utter nonsense that due to 3 poor kicks numpties in the media get the daggers out. Hasn’t put a foot wrong since he’s been an Ireland player
Check out BOD’s comments on the last Off The Ball, republished in the Indo: he reckons that Payne is the key man in making the Irish back line work. I reckon he knows what he is talking about.
https://www.newstalk.com/reader/47.305.363/56177/blog_list/
I’d rather the Irish media did not follow what the British media do with their English players when they make a few mistakes. Support and encouragement is needed especially since most of our players have been pretty solid since the start of RWC.
Jared’s consistency is the reason Joe has picked him regularly. However for the sake of taking the negative media off him and having him fresh for France. Hope that Cave and Earls are picked in the midfield against Italy. It appeared to work well against Wales.
Indeed Stephen, it’s a sad indictment of certain pundits and media outlets to attack a player who has mostly been playing very well because of a couple of poor kicks.
Well said Cave, their does seem to be a slight anti-Jarred Payne sentiment after the last two matches because of some minor mistakes. He is a solid player – no point of trying to match him up against the likes BOD for his creativity because he’s a once in a lifetime player. I do think Cave is more of a natural 13 but Payne plays a solid game defensively which obviously fits into Joe’s plans and we’ve yet to see what he has planned for the tougher games.
I would love to see Murray Kinsella do an analysis piece for the 42 on what Payne has done well in each game so far. Might at least force Williams to back his staunch opinions up with facts.
I’d wager it was TV3 suits telling him to make some controversial remarks to get some attention on their panel. It had all the hallmarks of pre-planned criticism from Williams and the ferocity of his remarks didn’t fit at all within the context of the game.
I really hope Payne has a huge game against Italy. We don’t need any players doubting themselves for the bigger games against France and further on.
It’s only Matt Williams.
He was the worst coach ever for Scotland and didn’t nothing in Ireland either.
He hasn’t got a clue!
Payne is a fine player and is far too intelligent a player for someone like Williams to see his quality.
At least it gives The Zebomesiter a break.
Everyone towing the party line here I see.Fact is Payne has been below par against Canada & Romania.Theres no point in denying it.
I hope Henshaw gets the 13 shirt V Italy.
Well said Oran good steady player is Payne and he won’t be bothered with some old washed up Aussie coach talking shite , I much prefer to listen to one of our own past greats given his opinion