RORY BEST HAS noticed something a little different about his out-half this season.
It’s not that he’s produced skills that he was incapable of before, his face still has a certain child-like quality, he hasn’t kicked goals from tighter angles and it wasn’t even that tackle on Ian Madigan. He’s hit harder, had to, and with more at stake.
Paddy Jackson is carrying more weight, but it’s in the team room, in the huddle or anywhere he opens his mouth.
“When Johnny (Sexton) speaks about a play, it’s: ‘okay, that’s where I’m going,’ y’know? There’s no debate. And that’s what Jacko’s bringing; a level of maturity and authority to his game,” comes the comparison from the Ireland and Ulster captain.
While Ireland’s form out-half was permitted very little on-field experience during two long international windows, he at least didn’t let the time spent in camp go to waste.
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Jackson bends the ear of Franco van der Merwe as they walk off the field.
“That’s probably the biggest difference in Jacko this year. In past years he’s been young, he’s known the plays, but probably just as well as everyone else. This year, he knows every play better than anyone else. He knows where you should go… I don’t know whether he’s learned that from Johnny, but it’s very much a characteristic Johnny had.
“Jacko, I’m sure, being an intelligent guy, an intelligent rugby player, has picked (that) up.”
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Whether such growth will be enough to coax Ireland coach Joe Schmidt into making Jackson a part of his matchday 23 this summer is another story. Madigan won’t have the drain of French rugby to cope with until next season and his struggle to get a hold of Leinster’s number 10 jersey means he continues to forge the utility back status that tilts Schmidt’s preference away from the out-half.
“He’s been fantastic,” says Jackson’s half-back partner Ruan Pienaar.
“His decision-making, his kicking, the way he’s managing to get the back-line going and organised – he’s really made a step up this season. For me as a nine inside him it’s pleasing to see, and forwards love to have a 10 that organises well.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“Unfortunately he’s been kicking at goal really well as well, so I haven’t had a chance,” jokes the Springbok.
“I try to do my basics as well as possible and when I see the fly-half playing well it feels like I’m doing my job as well as possible. For me, I just sometimes try to keep him calm on the pitch and try to give advice where I can. But he’s made a massive step up this season.
He’s one of the leaders in the team and he’s not afraid to speak his mind.”
“Look,” comes the last word from Rory Best: “the guy’s a wonderful natural talent and now he’s bringing this wonderful edge of steel and knowledge with him.”
Friday night will be another chance for Jackson to make sure it’s more than just his provincial team-mates who see in him comparisons with, or even an alternative to, Sexton.
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Jackson showing Sexton-like traits as he takes command of Ulster – Best
RORY BEST HAS noticed something a little different about his out-half this season.
It’s not that he’s produced skills that he was incapable of before, his face still has a certain child-like quality, he hasn’t kicked goals from tighter angles and it wasn’t even that tackle on Ian Madigan. He’s hit harder, had to, and with more at stake.
Paddy Jackson is carrying more weight, but it’s in the team room, in the huddle or anywhere he opens his mouth.
“When Johnny (Sexton) speaks about a play, it’s: ‘okay, that’s where I’m going,’ y’know? There’s no debate. And that’s what Jacko’s bringing; a level of maturity and authority to his game,” comes the comparison from the Ireland and Ulster captain.
While Ireland’s form out-half was permitted very little on-field experience during two long international windows, he at least didn’t let the time spent in camp go to waste.
“That’s probably the biggest difference in Jacko this year. In past years he’s been young, he’s known the plays, but probably just as well as everyone else. This year, he knows every play better than anyone else. He knows where you should go… I don’t know whether he’s learned that from Johnny, but it’s very much a characteristic Johnny had.
“Jacko, I’m sure, being an intelligent guy, an intelligent rugby player, has picked (that) up.”
Whether such growth will be enough to coax Ireland coach Joe Schmidt into making Jackson a part of his matchday 23 this summer is another story. Madigan won’t have the drain of French rugby to cope with until next season and his struggle to get a hold of Leinster’s number 10 jersey means he continues to forge the utility back status that tilts Schmidt’s preference away from the out-half.
“He’s been fantastic,” says Jackson’s half-back partner Ruan Pienaar.
“His decision-making, his kicking, the way he’s managing to get the back-line going and organised – he’s really made a step up this season. For me as a nine inside him it’s pleasing to see, and forwards love to have a 10 that organises well.
“Unfortunately he’s been kicking at goal really well as well, so I haven’t had a chance,” jokes the Springbok.
“I try to do my basics as well as possible and when I see the fly-half playing well it feels like I’m doing my job as well as possible. For me, I just sometimes try to keep him calm on the pitch and try to give advice where I can. But he’s made a massive step up this season.
“Look,” comes the last word from Rory Best: “the guy’s a wonderful natural talent and now he’s bringing this wonderful edge of steel and knowledge with him.”
Friday night will be another chance for Jackson to make sure it’s more than just his provincial team-mates who see in him comparisons with, or even an alternative to, Sexton.
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