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Neve Jones column: We have shown we can fire shots against France
By Neve Jones
Sunday did not go to plan on the pitch. But the occasion was special, 30,000 fans mostly wearing green. I’ve not played in front of so many people when playing for Ireland.
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It’s never nice to lose. Let alone 40-0. New Zealand are a class, class side. We knew what was coming but couldn’t deal with it. We have our learnings for our quarter-final against France.
The Black Ferns were powerful in attack and played with lightning line speed in defence. Still, we started the game camped out inside their 22 and can’t help but wonder what might have been had we been more clinical early in the game.
We knew what they were going to bring, the rugby they want to play. We got the fast start we wanted, we kept on going and got the energy. Not to score was disappointing, credit to their ‘D’.
Whatever about individual frustrations, it was especially disappointing not to give our support a result to shout about. Irish fans targeted this game as the one to go to as soon as the schedule came out. Brighton is a great town, close to Gatwick as well for those flying over. Our fans turned up for us.
You’d walk down the street to get a coffee on the morning of the game and see a swarm of Irish jerseys. People you knew, people you’d not seen in a while, people you didn’t know.
My partner actually surprised me. She played a game and then drove up on Sunday morning. Lining up for the anthem, I saw her talking to my mum in the crowd. ‘Hang on, I know those two people!’
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Mum won’t make it for the quarter-final next week, sadly. She’s a celebrant and will be marrying people. My partner will, though, and my sister who lives in Reading will make the trip across to Exeter.
Ireland’s call on Sunday was something else. I was next to Linda Djougang and Ruth Campbell in the line-up, I’ve been told they looked especially pumped. Ruth belted out the anthem. When we played New Zealand last year in Vancouver, there weren’t many people there to help us sing. Facing the haka in front of a full house was also a unique experience.
I couldn’t describe that feeling. Nervous, excited. Staring down the Black Ferns, the people to my left and right had my back, and I had theirs.
Some people talk about where to look during the haka. Maybe you look at the least intimidating person! I just wanted to take it all in. It’s an incredible thing, very empowering. I could feel the energy beside me and in front.
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As a group, we discussed during the week how we would respond to the haka. Shannon Ikahifo, who isn’t in this squad at the moment but plays for us, was born in New Zealand. She talked about what the haka is and what it means. It’s an acceptance of going to war. We wanted to accept that challenge.
So we decided to take one step forward as a collective once the Black Ferns had finished. It was a sign of respect. We’re here for the battle, together. We came forward, together.
It was organic that a mini stand-off followed. Challenge laid down. Challenge accepted. That neither side wanted to flinch first was a sign of mutual respect while showing how up for the contest we were.
What happened next was clearly disappointing. We reviewed the game on Monday night after travelling from Brighton to Exeter, then again on Tuesday. Then it was time to change focus to France.
We had our “install day” on Tuesday, running though our game plan. Wednesday will be a pitch and gym session before we get told the team that evening. Thursday is a heavy training day, then we’ll be off on Friday.
It’s a tricky balance approaching a quarter-final from a mental point of view. Yes, it’s different because it’s do or die, whereas after a loss to New Zealand we still have another chance. You have to acknowledge that you’ve only got one shot now, but you don’t want to change your focus too much.
We know the French, we’ve played them quite a bit. They’re a quality side but it’s a case of making sure we tick the boxes required to put in a better performance.
The last time we played France was in the Six Nations opener earlier this year. Up in Belfast, we showed we can fire some shots against them. They’re actually quite similar to New Zealand, maybe they try to keep ball a little bit more. They’ve got a big forward pack, strong athletes there. Their backline likes to tear up too.
We’ve got our own secret weapons in our own squad. We have to stick to our game plan and play our brand of rugby. Don’t get into the French style.
After the game on Sunday, Edel McMahon pulled us into a circle. We do it after every game but it was important to make sure we stayed focus on acknowledging what just happened, taking what we need out of it before flushing it out and focusing on the next task. That’s what rugby is all about, being next job focused.
We had our final message. Then it was time to enjoy time with family before coming back together. We always stick together. This week more so than ever.