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2019 Ireland Wrap Up World Cup Schmidt and company will be relatively another boost for Schmidt, particularly
pleased.
given that flexibility may be paramount
11th, Warm Ups With Victory Against lems, knocks to Joey Carbery and Keith amongst a small squad of 31 players.
Ireland avoided serious injury prob-
Schmidt is focusing on at least a semi-
September Wales At The Aviva Schmidt, however, has reported that progressed beyond the quarter-final
Earls being the sum total of the concerns.
final place for Ireland, who have never
Carbery is making steady progress and
stage in any previous World Cup. But
the opening two games, against Scotland
and hosts Japan, will be difficult, reckons
herewasanemotionalfarewellforIrish display. While Wales had a 100 per cent
Earls.
| By Barry Coughlan their line out work and his part in a shaky there is no serious worry concerning the coach.
With what was arguably a first-choice
skipper Rory Best as he played at the return from line outs, Ireland were only
EXAMINER TAvivaStadiumforthelasttimepriorto able to win just over 80 per cent and side, several Irish players performed Schmidt pointed out that not much
In an interview at the weekend,
well, amongst them full back Rob
departureforthe2019WorldCupinJapan.
that’s a worry as they face into the World
more could be done now, that Ireland’s
Cup.
Flanked by his three children on the
Kearney who scored his first internation-
From a time when Ireland’s line out
IRISH pitch after the game, Best was afforded a was seen as a strength, opponents now al try since the last World Cup but he preparations had gone as well as possi-
standing ovation by the appreciative
ble, the Twickenham hiccup aside.
was also on hand to deny Wales a first
“I finish in two months time, it is so
crowd basking in the glory of a second
see the Irish as a bit vulnerable and the
half try.
successive win over Warren Gatland’s absence of Devin Toner from the World Robbie Henshaw had a massive influ- important to me and I can’t let that be
Wales, a victory that propeled them up Cup squad makes it even more so. ence in midfield and he enjoyed a fruitful part of the equation. It is still very much
to top ranked team in the world for the Schmidt and Best will have identified afternoon alongside Bundee Aki. about getting the very best of those 31
very first time. several areas to put some hard graft in It was Johnny Sexton’s comeback men who will be trying to get the best
It is 14 years since Best made his Irish before Ireland’s opening game in Japan game as he recovered from a thumb out of themselves. We are pragmatic
debut against New Zealand and he has on September 22 against Scotland. injury and naturally enough he was a bit enough to know there were a number of
many fond memories, such as the trips to They will, though, be pleased with a rusty although he did settle in well as the things (against Wales) in the first quarter
the stadium on the bus. “I told myself I positive second half display during which game progressed. that we didn’t do very well and that all
wouldn’t get emotional but this place they strangled the life out of Gatland’s Star of the pack yet again was the goes into the melting pot as you are try-
has been unbelievably special for me men who were forced into defensive bustling James Ryan who may be one of ing to make sure that the next recipe is
over many, many years now. The sup- mode for the entire 40 minutes. the men – along with Peter O’Mahony - slightly better.
port we got in this game has summed up The horrible memory of a record waiting to take over as captain from Best “It’s funny but the two opening
the support we’ve had throughout my defeat to England at Twickenham a when the World Cup is done. games are tough. I will (initially) be look-
career.” month ago was a distant memory, albeit But there were others who had big ing at Scotland but we’ve got to look at
Best paid tribute to departing coach one that should not be forgotten. That games too. CJ Stander moved seamlessly Japan (as well) six days later. First up, if
Joe Schmidt, another experiencing life in was a reminder of how poor Ireland can from the middle of the back row to num- we can beat Scotland there’s so much
the Aviva for the last time. “Joe has trans- be when they don’t bring their A game ber six and he caused many problems for riding on that game and they’re such a
formed the game here. I’m privileged to to the table but the second half display in the Welsh with his bustling, action- good side. It’s not just their team, it’s the
have worked with him as a player and this 19-10 victory over Wales was also packed display. team behind the team. I know Gregor
captain. I can’t be grateful enough for indicative that they can also be pretty Stander was another to celebrate on Townsend well and I’ve got massive
everything he has done for me, the team damn good. the pitch afterwards with his one-month respect for him. I think he’s a smart
and the country.” So, from four warm-up games, old daughter Everli and his successful coach and on the back of that they’re
One thing Best won’t be so happy Ireland can boast three victories and the move to the blind side flank position was going to be a huge challenge.” C
about was Ireland’s inability to improve manner of the Twickenham loss aside,
Sean Downes

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