Schmidt bats back on accusations directed at Cian Healy and his scrummaging
Joe Schmidt has tipped Cian Healy to prove a big point in Saturday’s World Cup clash against Japan after the hosts accused the Ireland prop of illegal scrummaging.
Japan prop Yusuke Kizu claimed Healy “steps out” and illegally angles in at scrummages – a suggestion that has found no favour with Ireland head coach Schmidt.
The Ireland boss insisted his team does not flout rules at scrum time, pointing to their exemplary disciplinary record at the set-piece.
And Schmidt then went on to predict that Healy will use the criticism to his advantage, with the British and Irish Lions star named in Ireland’s line-up for the Shizuoka encounter.
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Asked for a response to Kizu’s comments, Schmidt said: “It’s hard to step out when you’ve got your right shoulder out and you’re nice and square.
“We’d be probably one of the – if not the – least penalised scrums in international rugby.
“We do our very best to scrum square, we don’t step left.
“Sometimes it’s impossible not to step left if the opposition does it.
“If the axis is moved by the opposition, it’s pretty much impossible not to move your left foot.
“Certainly what was said by Kizu was a big surprise for us, and will probably provide a bit of motivation for Cian on Saturday.”
Defence coach Andy Farrell and scrum-half Conor Murray both insisted Ireland must be wary of the boost Japan will receive from their home support.
Japan admitted the size of the occasion of hosting the opener against Russia caught them off guard last week, with a colourful opening ceremony preceding a patchy 30-10 victory.
But Farrell – who coached England at their home World Cup in 2015 – insisted Japan will not fall foul of the atmosphere again.
“One hundred per cent they will handle it better this time,” said Farrell.
“It’s always nice to get 80 minutes under your belt, especially kicking off a home World Cup that you’re building towards for four years.
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“The stress that they would have felt going into that game, they are only human and it’s certain that they would have felt that.
“I suppose now they’ve got that under their belt they’d be itching to get back out there, with a longer turnaround than ourselves.
“They want to put their best performance out there, they don’t want to die wondering, they think this is a huge occasion for them.
“And we are probably aware of that mentality and what this game means to them, and we’ve got to act accordingly to that.”
There are just four changes to the @IrishRugby side that bested Scotland for their match with Japan – including the return of one Rob Kearney. https://t.co/Bh0TMv9AxI #RWC2019 #IREvJPN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 26, 2019
Munster star Murray admitted it is important to soak up the big-match atmosphere, but also not stray from any plans.
“It was pretty similar for us with such a big, big build-up to that game last week,” said Murray.
“We’ve had a game like that under our belts, so it will definitely go up another level.
“Both sides need to be ready for the atmosphere, the occasion, and to go up again.
“It’s probably what you get excited about more than nervous.
“We’ve great respect for the Japanese, it’s going to be really tough out there.
“They play at a frantic place if you let them, and it could be a long day if you don’t get on top of things.
“You’ve got to enjoy it, it’s a really special occasion.
“These opportunities don’t come around that often, so you get excited and you get motivation from how big a stage it is.
“So it’s one to cherish but in terms of preparing, it’s a normal Test week.”
– AP
Wallabies fans are incensed after wing Reece Hodge was struck with a three-week ban:
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments