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Incredible Super Rugby/Champions Cup sub stat puts Gibson-Park, Ireland's new No9, firmly under spotlight
Newly eligible Kiwi James Lowe grabbed the headlines surrounding the much changed Ireland XV to take on Wales on Friday night in the Autumn Nations Cup but the inclusion from the start of his fellow New Zealander, career sub Jamison Gibson-Park, is the most intriguing of the seven alterations following the loss to France.
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Having twice come off the Ireland bench recently in the Six Nations to replace Conor Murray, Gibson-Park now starts in place of the long-established Ireland No9.
It will be hugely interesting to see how the 28-year-old handles being on the pitch from minute one as his career has been built around coming on as a replacement in top-level matches, not starting them.
In an eight-year Super Rugby/Champions Cup career featuring 67 appearances, Gibson-Park has started just eleven games and come off the bench on 56 other occasions.
He started in seven of his 27 Super Rugby appearances with the Blues before subbing on all 13 occasions in his one season at the Hurricanes prior to moving to Ireland.
Farrell rolls Ireland dicehttps://t.co/sCKIRw2Jgj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 10, 2020
At Leinster, it has been a similarly tough challenge for Champions Cup recognition, Gibson-Park chosen as the starting No9 in just four of his 27 appearances in the premier tournament for the Irish club (versus Montpellier and Scarlets in 2018 and against Wasps and Northampton in 2019).
With Luke McGrath usually Leinster’s No1 scrum-half, Gibson-Park has had to make do with PRO14 action to keep himself busy. He has started in 42 of his 68 appearances in that competition, but it is only in recent weeks training with Ireland that he has suddenly emerged from the provicial shadows to secure the biggest selection of his career.
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McGrath, Kieran Marmion and John Cooney had all been back-up at Test level in recent years to Murray, but Gibson-Park edged into the Ireland squad on October 14 ahead of the axed McGrath and Cooney.
Now, having had 28 minutes off the bench across two Six Nations matches, he has intriguingly got the nod to start against Wales with Murray being held in reserve for the Aviva Stadium fixture. How he goes will go a long way towards determining whether he can finally shake-off his reputation as merely being a back-up player.
“I’m always curious about other guys,” said Ireland coach Farrell after unveiling an XV where Lowe for Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell for Bundee Aki, Ronan Kelleher for Rob Herring, Iain Henderson for Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony for CJ Stander and Josh van der Flier for Will Connors were the other half-dozen changes.
“Jamison gets an opportunity to show us how he can handle the game. He has been coming off the bench and doing pretty well. In training he has been with us for three weeks now and we have been very impressed with what we have seen so far.
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“Managing a game throughout and not in training is something we are curious to see how he goes but we’re excited to see him play. He is a little bit different to the other scrum-halves.”
Gibson-Park became Ireland eligible at the start of last season but Farrell went with Cooney as the back-up for Murray for last February’s three Six Nations matches before altering his thinking last month.
Page 142 of his own seven-year-old book could do with a re-read https://t.co/D4z0oTF1qG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 5, 2020
The Great Barrier Island-born half-back last month became Ireland’s tenth player to be capped under the 36-month residency rule, a figure that now rises to eleven with Lowe’s inclusion to start against the Welsh.
Aki, Jared Payne, Nathan White and Rodney Ah You are other Kiwis to qualify in this way in the past eight years. The other project players capped by Ireland are South Africans – Richardt Strauss, Stander, Quinn Roux, Jean Kleyn and Robbie Diack.
Regarding his selection of Lowe, Farrell added: “He brings an extra dimension to how we want to play. We’ve all seen him play in the PRO14 and what he brings for Leinster, so hopefully he can definitely bring the same.
“It’s a good side. It’s one I’m excited about, that’s for sure. Some people have waited for a chance to show what they are about and others have got another chance, so it’s a good blend. It’s one that can put in a performance at the weekend.”
David Humphreys in back in rugby…
And the ex-Ireland outhalf is once against plotting England's downfall, among other things.
– writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/QzhYbp7atG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 8, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
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