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Leinster boss Cullen gives verdict on Itoje
There has been plenty said about the form of Maro Itoje recently. In the aftermath of England’s defeat to Ireland in the Six Nations, Sir Clive Woodward stated that he felt the second row was “out on his feet”, citing the summer tour with the British and Irish Lions as the reason.
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Meanwhile, England head coach Eddie Jones believes that Itoje is suffering from “second season syndrome”.
But Saracens head coach Mark McCall has rubbished those suggestions.
“There are things that have been written about certain players that aren’t all that accurate and aren’t really based on any data”.
Now Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has had his say. The former second row with Ireland, Leinster and Leicester, is well able to assess the form of Itoje – with Saracens looming in the Champions Cup quarter-finals on Easter Sunday.
“From what I have seen at Saracens, he’s a very good competitor, even at the weekend (against Ireland). I thought he was one of the standouts for England really during that (Six Nations) campaign.”
“It is always a balance in terms of game-time for players, minutes, and what is the appropriate minutes. For us we are focused on ourselves and how we manage our own players.”
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The IRFU central contract system is envy of other national unions, with the workload carefully managed for elite players. It’s certainly yielded benefits for the likes of Johnny Sexton.
“The way he (Sexton) plays, he’s so fully committed, he is always going to take the odd bang and knock during games and that is just the way he plays and he is so committed to the cause. So it is important that we manage him. He has reported back pretty well considering the knocks he would have shipped over the course of five games in the Six Nations, he’s in good shape.”
Cullen will need his outhalf to be at his best if they’re to eliminate the two-times defending European champions, when they meet at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
“They know how to win, they’ve won Premiership titles, they’ve won Champions Cups. It is going to be a huge challenge. Obviously Saracens have come off winning the (Champions Cup) trophy in the last two years, they’re going for three-in-a-row. They scraped into the quarter-finals, but they’ve been the best team in Europe for the last two or three seasons, so we’re certainly not underestimating the challenge that awaits us.”
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Cullen earned 32 international caps and played an influential role in successful Leinster and Leicester sides. He captained the Irish province to two Heineken Cups, in 2011 and 2012, and has no concerns over a lack of focus from his Grand Slam contingent who’ve returned to club duties.
“Teams that get success, they like that feeling of success, they want to push on and they understand what it takes. I think the group are keen to push on and do some special things together. There are certain players who missed out on playing a role in Ireland’s Grand Slam and those players will drive the group.”
Grand Slam winners Jordan Larmour and Joey Carbery discuss targets for the rest of the season
Cullen also revealed to RugbyPass that Robbie Henshaw “won’t be a million miles away” from playing in the latter stages of the season. The centre’s shoulder injury, which he picked up while scoring a try against Italy in the Six Nations, is progressing well.
“It is still pretty early days with Robbie. The good thing is that he has got big games on the horizon to look forward to.”
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
39 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
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