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Neve Jones: Crowd noise, line out mistakes and watching Eve Higgins score THAT try
By Neve Jones
I’ve never experienced something as powerful in one moment on a rugby field.
Eve Higgins’ try was significant for many reasons – I’ve seen the replay a thousand times already on my Instagram page. We knew Japan were a quality side ready to fire some shots. The line break which scattered our defence was something we expected, but it was still difficult to recover.
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The momentum swing in the match was clear to everyone there at Franklin’s Gardens. If Japan scored on that overlap, they would have narrowed our 21-point half-time lead to just seven, having already scored early in the second half. Instead, Eve made the perfect defensive read. She picked off a pass, shrugged off two would-be tacklers and ran the length of the field.
As well as the importance of the try on the scoreboard, it was also just an amazing moment to be a part of. I say that, I wasn’t particularly involved!
Myself and prop Niamh O’Dowd (Noddy) had tracked back to tackle wing Komachi Imakugi after the earlier break. Hardly a natural position for two front rowers…Noddy slowed her for me, which was nice! Niamh has an incredible work rate, keeping up with her is a challenge but we work really well together.
That was over towards the touchline. Eve made her play underneath the posts. Thankfully she went the full 80, 85 metres because I was a solid 80 metres behind her.
As I was trying to keep up with her, I took a second to listen to the crowd. It was like when you’re at a game as a kid and you are amazed by the noise, only this time I was on the pitch.
Those types of breakaway tries involving one player don’t happen very often but when they do and you’re able to take it in, to truly appreciate the significance instead of having your head in a ruck, it’s quite special.
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Our backline as a whole was lethal on Sunday. Amee-Leigh Costigan’s early try out wide made sure we succeeded in our ‘fast start’ mantra, something which was a big focus for us after we allowed Scotland and Canada to get out ahead in the warm-up matches. Béibhinn Parson’s try was another example of our backs running a move, finding space and showing their finishing ability.
The maul try we got in the first half showed we have variety in how we can score. The first few lineout drives didn’t work but it was third time lucky as we rumbled our way forwards. As the hooker at the back, you’re staying focused on getting to the line while also making sure the nine has access to the ball, in case the ref tells her to use it.
At the back of a maul, you’ve no idea what’s happening in front of you. You can kind of see the try line through people’s legs but you can’t see what the frontline are doing to charge on forward. You just have to wait until you’re on the line and then lie down.
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Then it’s a bit of relief, focus on the next job and get a drink. It was blooming warm! When you get credit for a maul try you’ve also got to credit the other set of people involved. They’re the ones that are driving the ship.
Our lineout definitely started well but we know there are fix-ups for us based on how Japan later put pressure on our set-piece. The lineouts that went wrong were down to a variety of things.
Japan reacted to where we were throwing. I had a few not straights which were very frustrating. We had decent success but we want to be better, get our timings right, our connections, how we can improve the foot patterns when people move around.
How we do our analysis is a very open channel. I’ll watch something and maybe take it to back row Fiona Tuite or lock Sam Monaghan. ‘What do you think here?’ We have a conversation with our forwards coach Alex Codling on Tuesday. ‘Here’s what I’m seeing, here’s what you’re seeing, what’s the solution?’
After watching the game back myself, I then sit down with some of the girls and we watch the lineouts together. Where did the ball end up and how did it end up there?
On the throwing mistakes, I just need to stick to my process. Make sure I tick all my boxes before I throw it. Sometimes we were in the 22 and I need to make sure when I get the ball in my hand I’m focused just on that process.
It’s hard to explain a lineout process. I dry my hands, step onto the line, get the call. Here’s where I’m trying to put the ball. Then I try and make my mind completely clear and focus on the target.
The more I’ve worked on that process, the more comfortable and confident I’ve become with it. Lineouts are niche, but important. Like our performance as a whole on Sunday, we were broadly happy with them, but we know there is work to do.
The aftermath of the win was all about enjoying the moment while being aware of what’s to come. My mum was over, I had dinner with her after the match and a coffee on Monday morning. Come Tuesday, though, it’s back to work with Spain up next.
Niamh Jones was number 17 on our Women’s Top 50 Players list, check out which other Ireland players made the list.
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