364 DAYS AGO, Leinster’s players came in to the dressing room after a narrow victory away to Treviso and couldn’t help but be sucked in by the drama unfolding back home.
Jimmy Gopperth had kicked a late penalty to give the eastern province a 20 – 21 victory, but the seismic news filtering through was that Ireland were on the verge of history against New Zealand.
“We came in off the pitch and there was a minute to go and we were winning,” says Noel Reid,”one of the lads was on the phone to their dad…”
Well, you all know what happened from there on in. Ryan Crotty sneaked through the defence into the corner and Aaron Cruden got two swings at the conversion to turn a draw into a win.
“It was a weird one,” Reid this week said of the experience.
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This year, the Leinster players found out the result of Ireland’s flirtation with Deja Vu yesterday. So today there’ll be no journeys to the edge of the seat, no shock news and no distractions, says the young playmaker:
“Obviously it’s a massive game for those lads, but we’ve a job to do on Sunday, we’ll be focused on that.”
Having taken some time off to ‘clear the head’, and re-joined the squad as they knuckled down into a conditioning week, Reid starts today’s trip to Treviso [KO 14.30] fresh. He’ll form the centre of the Champions’ impressive international window back-line: inside him, Jimmy Gopperth. Outside him, Luke Fitzgerald.
Having experienced heads and big names such as that alongside you must help to ease the pain of missing out on involvement with Ireland. Especially for Reid who only won his first cap during the summer.
“I don’t find it too difficult,” the 24-year-old shrugs.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“I’m just concentrating on my own stuff. I don’t really feel I should be there at the moment. I haven’t really played enough to be involved [owing to an ankle injury in week one]. So I’m just looking to get as much game time as possible and try to get into the team for the big games and see how it goes from there.”
The first step towards big games are always these humble fixtures played in the shadow of the marquee internationals. Reid feels the reduced numbers in the ranks have helped bring the squad together and, just maybe, they can achieve in blurring the lines of the depth chart just a little.
“When the internationals go away, we regroup and set our own goals. It’s a good opportunity for us and young guys to be playing, get a run of games to give Matt a couple of headaches when the big games come around.
“I’ll hopefully get another 80 minutes under my belt, had a bit of a slow start with the injury. Trying to get a bit of form back and match fitness – a bit of continuity.”
While Ireland steered clear of Deja vu, history repeated will do just fine for Leinster.
Overshadowing international Tests no distraction for Reid and Leinster this year
364 DAYS AGO, Leinster’s players came in to the dressing room after a narrow victory away to Treviso and couldn’t help but be sucked in by the drama unfolding back home.
Jimmy Gopperth had kicked a late penalty to give the eastern province a 20 – 21 victory, but the seismic news filtering through was that Ireland were on the verge of history against New Zealand.
“We came in off the pitch and there was a minute to go and we were winning,” says Noel Reid,”one of the lads was on the phone to their dad…”
Well, you all know what happened from there on in. Ryan Crotty sneaked through the defence into the corner and Aaron Cruden got two swings at the conversion to turn a draw into a win.
“It was a weird one,” Reid this week said of the experience.
This year, the Leinster players found out the result of Ireland’s flirtation with Deja Vu yesterday. So today there’ll be no journeys to the edge of the seat, no shock news and no distractions, says the young playmaker:
Having taken some time off to ‘clear the head’, and re-joined the squad as they knuckled down into a conditioning week, Reid starts today’s trip to Treviso [KO 14.30] fresh. He’ll form the centre of the Champions’ impressive international window back-line: inside him, Jimmy Gopperth. Outside him, Luke Fitzgerald.
Having experienced heads and big names such as that alongside you must help to ease the pain of missing out on involvement with Ireland. Especially for Reid who only won his first cap during the summer.
“I don’t find it too difficult,” the 24-year-old shrugs.
“I’m just concentrating on my own stuff. I don’t really feel I should be there at the moment. I haven’t really played enough to be involved [owing to an ankle injury in week one]. So I’m just looking to get as much game time as possible and try to get into the team for the big games and see how it goes from there.”
The first step towards big games are always these humble fixtures played in the shadow of the marquee internationals. Reid feels the reduced numbers in the ranks have helped bring the squad together and, just maybe, they can achieve in blurring the lines of the depth chart just a little.
“When the internationals go away, we regroup and set our own goals. It’s a good opportunity for us and young guys to be playing, get a run of games to give Matt a couple of headaches when the big games come around.
“I’ll hopefully get another 80 minutes under my belt, had a bit of a slow start with the injury. Trying to get a bit of form back and match fitness – a bit of continuity.”
While Ireland steered clear of Deja vu, history repeated will do just fine for Leinster.
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