Murray Kinsella reports from St. George’s Park
IT’S LESS THAN a year since Jared Payne was handed Ireland’s 13 shirt, but the Ulsterman is an established member of Joe Schmidt’s first-choice XV.
A hamstring injury to Robbie Henshaw deprived Payne of the opportunity to link up with the Connacht man in midfield once again for Ireland’s World Cup-opening win over Canada on Saturday.
There will be temptation for Joe Schmidt to give that partnership a run out against Romania this weekend at Wembley, as Henshaw is expected to be fit after a return to running on the training pitch at St. George’s Park yesterday.
Payne was “pleased enough” with his own first start at a World Cup last weekend, saying that his performance was patchy and that his kick directly into DTH van der Merwe’s hands for Canada’s try “wasn’t one of my finer moments.”
The failure to kick ahead early enough after Johnny Sexton’s ambitious cross-field kick in Ireland’s own 22 in the first half was another frustration, but Payne was happy with his defence and “a few good moments in attack.”
In recent weeks, we’ve seen Ireland manufacture situations that give Payne a little more time on the ball. That relates to the opposition’s defence of course, and certainly a passive, weak Canadian one, but the impression is that the Kiwi native is increasingly being looked at as a playmaker rather than a man who simply runs the hard lines.
“I just think I’m getting more settled in the team, sort of picking up where I can add something here and there possible,” says Payne.
“I’m trying to bring that to the game and I’m just getting more confident week by week. Hopefully I can add a bit more of that to the game.”
Tana Umaga, the “silky” Regan King and occasional centre Christian Cullen were the midfielders Payne admired when he was growing up, while he also recalls a number of battles with Richard Kahui as they came through the ranks in Waikato, New Zealand.
Of the current crop of Kiwi centres, Payne appreciates Conrad Smith the most.
“He’s incredibly intelligent with what he does on the field. Some of what he does probably goes unnoticed by some people, but he’s very good,” says Payne.
“He’s definitely someone like myself who’s not the biggest bosher, so you maybe take a few elements from his game and what he does, to improve your own game.
His organisation in defence in particular and in attack he makes the right decision more often than not, and he just seems to be one of those players in the right place at the right time.”
Those habits are increasingly Payne’s too, from his perceptive line off Ian Madigan for a try against Canada, to his hugely impressive defensive work over the last 10 months, particularly when Ireland are forced to drift hard across the pitch.
The 13 channel is “one area where you’ve got to be on your toes,” says Payne, and the signs there for Ireland are increasingly positive.
Payne says Henshaw was “moving around well enough” at Ireland training yesterday, and the prospect of his return is an exciting one for players and supporters alike. Asked if the Connacht man can drive towards the level the likes of Smith play at, Payne said:
“He’s got a great passing game, very good feet and he’s big and abrasive too. In a few more years he’s going to be one of the standout centres in world rugby.”
Obviously there was some pretty big boots to fill for people in the midfield with D’Arce and Drico going, so we got thrown in there but handled it reasonably well.
“Also, with Lukey (Fitzgerald) performing well now and Darren (Cave) performing well as well, I think there’s a bit of depth there. It’s a positive for us as a team.”
Would be giving Cave and Fitz a run out against Romania with Henshaw off the bench just to ease him back in.
Payne is a class act. His defence is rock solid. He’s also (sort of) playing out of position. I’d like to see him at 15 versus Romania.
Spot me Bren !
he, along with players like heaslip are the ultimate moneyball kinda players. particular key attributes that they posses slot seemlessly into what is required for the team. all sense of selfishness and ego is given up. you don’t see their efforts in the game but if you look at their stats they contribute hugely to the overall cause. he and henshaw were placed together initially because of how solid they are defensively, which arguably was bod and darcy’s greatest contribution in later years, and the thing that most needed reproducing.
Just read D’Arcy’s article in the IT. http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/gordon-d-arcy-surviving-at-centre-not-easy-just-ask-jesse-kriel-1.2362159
“I also think Payne has become the second most important player in Ireland’s backline, possibly even the team. A fullback by nature, he has become a reliable Test centre and that’s down to fundamental skills”
Not impressed by Payne so far. Maybe he does alot of unseen stuff defensively (though not much evidence against Eng recently) but for me he doesn’t offer enough from attacking perspective. Dont understand why he almost seems untouchable as 1st choice 13. I’d prefer any of Madigan, Fitz or Earls starting with Henshaw.
Well he scored a shi’ite load of points for me on Fantasy Rugger and must have been penalised for the kick/turnover .. Second centre is a seriously difficult position to play and he’s doing fine , you may not appreciate the hard work , tackles etc that he’s putting in but I betcha Joe and Les Kiss do ..
97 meters (second to Rob Kearney)
14 tackles, none missed (second to Ian Henderson)
Ex All Black Justin Marshall describes Irish centre partnership as “lack lustre” and sayd they “do not challenge”. Put it this way… Name one of the contenders to win the tournament that would swap their centre partnerships for ours. Not one. Henshaw has time but Payne will never be world class whatever stats say.
Cameras in the gym ????? Wtf