Five Ireland players – Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock and Jack McGrath – broke the 24-tackle count over two games during Autumn Internationals. The choke still works. Photograph: Inpho
Defensive coach says Joe Schmidt’s side are working to build variation in their game
Michael Cheika may not have been as magnanimous as Heyneke Meyer in defeat to Ireland but both the Australia and South Africa head coaches were of a similar mind.
Ireland are a transparent side that play for territory, man up in defence and possess a general at outhalf who rarely misses. In the two matches Jonathan Sexton missed one from 13 shots at goal.
Both Southern Hemisphere rugby gurus were correct about the defence.
Enormous credit must be directed at defence coach Les Kiss and particularly five players – Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock and Jack McGrath – who broke the 24-tackle count over two games. The choke still works.
But, as Cheika said, Ireland’s is a very clear style of rugby. It’s, currently, working. Not unlike November 2006. “My response to that is we’re working on all parts of our game to build some variation,” said Kiss. “We don’t want to be a one-trick pony by any means and I don’t think we are………….. see more at :- http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/les-kiss-outlines-ireland-s-strategy-for-evolution-1.2016267
