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'Get the ball in his hands and make people tackle him': Payne excited by Stockdale threat

The Ulster defence coach has watched the 24-year-old evolve his understanding of a new position over the past year.

ALTHOUGH JACOB STOCKDALE did have a few senior starts as a fullback to his name before last season, his growth as a 15 really gathered pace over the course of the last year.

Even since rugby’s restart in August.

The 24-year-old counts five of his seven appearances for Ulster since the summer as a starting 15. And this Saturday he will make his second start in the space of a week in that position for Ireland.

Stockdale’s ability in the air was already clear from his wing play and that is part of the reason coaches have nudged him to fullback. But his defence coach at Ulster, an international fullback himself in Jared Payne, feels that the most exciting element of  Stockdale’s positional shift is his running threat.

“He got the ball at the back and expressed himself, didn’t he? He had a good crack,” says Payne of Stockdale’s Test bow at 15 against Italy.

“His game’s going on an upward curve. He has a few kinks to iron out, there’s always going to be when you’re playing at the back for a first time at a decent level.”

He was given starts for Ulster as a fullback in 2017, but last December against Harlequins saw Stockdale begin his serious trial runs there. Payne can chart improvement and possibly perception on Stockdale’s behalf since then.

“He’s realised there’s a bit more hard work involved back there. Some of his timing in attack he’s learning and improving on. Some of his positioning in defence he’s improving on.

“It’s a big learning curve for him, he spent a lot of time on the wing. There’s always aspects he can improve on, learn and get better at.

The big thing for Jacob is just getting the ball in his hands, mate, that’s when he’s really gonna hurt (teams) back there.

“There’s always going to be people who need to improve on bits and pieces and tidy things up. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played one game or a hundred.

“His biggest strength is get the ball in his hands, have a crack and make people tackle him. He’s bringing that to the position, which is pleasing to see.”

jared-payne Payne's last match for Ireland was as a fullback in the 2017 win over England. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Perhaps the best example of Stockdale’s counter-attacking threat in the position resulted in a disallowed try for Hugo Keenan in Ireland’s 50-17  win over Italy. The former Sevens star was left to bemoan a chance of debut hat-trick lost, while the Ulster star was frustrated by the decision to strike off his thrilling break.

“I don’t think your man would have been anywhere near me even if he hadn’t run into James Ryan,” says Stockdale.

“That’s something that I was really excited by at (the thought of) playing fullback. Getting a bit more opportunity to run the ball back and in an ideal world create a bit of havoc for the defence on the other side of the ball.

“I was pleased how that went. Can still take it to another level.

“Going into the Six Nations, playing fullback was something I was excited by. I was glad I was able to show (good form) at the weekend, but there’s a lot to be worked on and an opportunity to keep growing in the jersey.”

Payne is speaking from Belfast hours after Stockdale was on Ireland media duty in Dublin, but the Kiwi touches on that same ‘growth’ his successor in the jersey speaks of when he hails his ‘willingness to learn’.

Feeling your way into a position against Italy is one step in the right direction, but taking on France in his second Test start there will require another big leap from the new fullback.

“They’ve scored a number of tries off those contestable kicks and it’s (about) cleaning up the scraps because they make a bit of a mess of it at the back.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for me, going into this week, in dealing with those kicks in the air and their kicking game, and trying to keep it as tidy as possible at the back. Because those are the opportunities they live off.

“We’re going to have to make sure we are switched on the entire time we are on the pitch, because they are masters at creating something out of nothing and scoring tries off the back of plays where you think you, pretty much, have them shut down.”

Ireland will hope that is no longer an exclusively French quality.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:11 PM

    Early days yet but I think there’s a few things that I’ve read in the last few weeks that are really encouraging in terms of the new management. Firstly is the amount of players that have come out and say how enjoyable the training is in camp, something I haven’t heard in the last few years, POM must be the 3rd or 4th player I’ve seen mention it recently. Secondly how the players went straight into individual skills session. I think there was decline in the skill sets of the players over the last few years and it’s only right to address it. Seeing o mahony offload like that was lovely to see. Lastly I think putting faith in form in the likes of keenan and connors and getting repaid for it is the most positive of all.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:26 PM

    @Jim Demps:

    It’s way too early to suggest that the coaching staff have made a big difference and turned around a team in relation to their skill set.

    I remember you and a few others massively hyping the world class new coaches that Munster had just employed and how a certain Australian ex out half would turn around Munster fortunes.

    Well we are still waiting many, many months later to see any difference at all and if anything they are going backwards.

    Only the introduction of the young new blood give cause for optimism

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    Mute Gar Eth
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:30 PM

    Another positive is seeing the benefit of the 7s system on players development. Keenan having the composure to gather the ball at full sprint or keeping it alive by off loading. Really good to see. Looking forward to this weekend!

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    Mute Decko49
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:33 PM

    @Mark Smith: Explain how you think Munster are going backwards under the new coaches?

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:41 PM

    @Decko49:

    Standing still is going backwards

    Lack of improvement is going backwards

    I often wonder why Munster don’t trust their wingers. Earls and Conway are two of the best in Ireland and all they do is kick chase. Give them the ball in hand , one on one and let them do the business.
    Munster play crash ball centres. Their ideal coach would be Garland

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    Mute Decko49
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:50 PM

    @Mark Smith: Standing still is not going backwards. Not improving is not going backwards. Give us a proper explanation Please.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:57 PM

    @Decko49:
    I just did but you failed to understand it.

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:59 PM

    @Mark Smith: I think there is signs of progress in Munster finally. Last season was poor, but youth is being given a chance this season. Credit where credit is due. Most of the starters being played today came through Munsters academy.

    As for Ireland, I think there are positive signs from Farrells brief time as coach. Schmidt was the most successful coach in Ireland ever, but change can be good sometimes. Sometimes different approaches give players a psychological boost when theyve played under the same person for too long. I remember when schmidt 1st became irish coach and the players were over the moon with the change. In kidneys first year they won a grand slam. Eddie gets a lot of flak for staying after Gatland got the boot, but his team was a big improvement on previous generations

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    Mute Decko49
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:07 PM

    @Mark Smith: No I didn’t fail to understand it. You said staying the same is going backwards. That makes no sense whatsoever.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:08 PM

    @Mark Smith: green shoots my friend, players enjoying themselves and playing with confidence is something we were lacking since probably the end of 2018. Like I said, encouraging signs.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:10 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan:

    The young guys in Munster coming through are a breath of fresh air and I hope to see them excel .

    There are only so many times the old stagers can go to the well.

    I would just love to watch them play something other than bish, bosh, bash rugby all the time.
    Mix it up and make the opposition’s defence have to think what is coming

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:19 PM

    @Jim Demps:
    And long may that last but only time and stiffer opposition will truly tell us where we are with that but I suspect a revert to text might be more likely.

    Youth coming through gives everyone a lift of feel good factor, including to a certain degree the players in the jersey as they have to step up.

    The supporters get an even bigger lift I suspect.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:28 PM

    @Decko49:

    Ok, I don’t want to be flippant about it but I will give you another sporting analogy to explain it.

    A horse race where my horse and your horse are neck and neck with the last furlong to go.

    My horse fails to quicken and your horse gets another gear, leaves me behind and your horse goes onto win.

    As such I fail to improve/keep up and get passed by others and lose ground to them.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:41 PM

    @Decko49: how many times did munster put the ball into the hands of either of their wingers in the semi final? Even their centres for that matter.

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    Mute Decko49
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:44 PM

    @Mark Smith: And I will try explain to you again that failing to improve is not going backwards. It’s failing to improve. Going backwards is getting worse. Explain how Munster are worse?

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    Mute Timmy O'Toole
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    Oct 26th 2020, 5:14 PM

    @Mark Smith: Regardless of performances Munster still have a great ability to fascinate non Munster fans. Another non Munster article turned into a Munster discussion. Thanks for your interest Mark

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Oct 26th 2020, 6:10 PM

    @Jim Demps: each and every one of them said the same at the camp before the world Cup. In the history of sport has anyone who was looking to get into a team every said this new coach is no where near as good as the last one? And training is just a load poo.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Oct 26th 2020, 6:12 PM

    @Decko49: well up to two seasons ago they were without question in the top 4 or 5 in Europe and the second best side in the country. In the past 2 seasons ulster are the 2nd best side in Ireland. League and European prove thst.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 6:14 PM

    @Decko49:

    I fear you might be like a horse that you can take to water but can’t make it drink.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2020, 6:15 PM

    @Timmy O’Toole:
    You are quite welcome

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    Mute Tim Magner
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    Oct 26th 2020, 6:34 PM

    @Chris Mc: would you say leinster have regressed aswell? In the hcup they went from champs to beaten finalists to beaten quarter finalists over the same period

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    Mute Decko49
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    Oct 26th 2020, 6:49 PM

    @Mark Smith: I’ve asked you to explain where Munster got worse. You haven’t. So I’m afraid you’re just blowing hot air. And you’re muted

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Oct 26th 2020, 7:04 PM

    @Tim Magner: not really, topped the group stages, seeded no 1. Scored the most tries in the group stages but got beat by a better side on the day. When you Lose only one game in a season you can’t really say regressed.

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    Mute Tim Magner
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    Oct 26th 2020, 7:13 PM

    @Chris Mc: munster v sarries were pretty tight games

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 27th 2020, 12:35 AM

    @Mark Smith: if you’d just held off for a few hours. Also, what’s the time difference in coaching appointments at Munster and Ireland? It’s about three months I reckon, off the back of a world cup.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Oct 27th 2020, 10:34 AM

    @Tim Magner: yes they were. But bigging up one off performances any team can do that. It’s winning big games that count. Munster just haven’t done that in a while.
    So far in the pro 14 the young munster home grown players have really stepped up and at their stage every game is a big game so maybe they will bring that winning mentality back to the club.
    I will say one thing you need new blood in the leadership team. What you had for teh last few seasons just dosent work.

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    Mute Daithí O' Donnabhain
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:31 PM

    The official post RWC report highlighted our skills deficit so that was always going to be targeted, but we’re definitely beginning to reap the rewards. The fact it was immediately addressed & is an ongoing focus shows we’re definitely evolving tactically, which is great to see. The workrate & energy Keenan & Connors brought to the team was huge, adding more of that quality of player will bring us to a higher standard again. Delighted Farrells backing form & quality.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:09 PM

    @Daithí O’ Donnabhain: was the post RWC report published? Haven’t seen it anywhere.

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    Mute Daithí O' Donnabhain
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    Oct 26th 2020, 5:25 PM

    @Jim Demps: don’t think so, but main outcomes were widely reported in the media at the time.

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    Mute Neill Elliott
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    Oct 26th 2020, 3:58 PM

    I remember in Twickenham 2018, everyone praised Furlong for his skills when passing for the Stander try, equally Stockdale in the same match and the AB game. The skills have been there. Over the 18 months, the accuracy hasn’t. Skills come in a package of timing, execution and accuracy. When 1 is off, its assumed we have been de-skilled. Such fine margins to judge on

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    Mute Oran Burns
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:21 PM

    @Neill Elliott: yeah there definitely has been some fantastic individual skills however it was always off set piece rather than improvised.
    Also the game plan under Schmidt was possession and collisions based.
    Off loads were too high risk compared to playing the percentages of getting go forward, rucking and recycling.
    Which meant Ireland often took many phases to go across the field.
    A new heads up approach where players can use their skills rather than being robots is welcome.

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