'Moving across the scrum is like writing with your bad hand'
Andrew Porter has described the key to his World Cup selection as “like writing with your bad hand”.
The versatile prop knows he must flourish on both sides of the scrum in order to force his way into Ireland’s final 31-man World Cup squad.
The 23-year-old made the testing transfer from loosehead to tighthead two years ago, with Leinster keen to capitalise on his raw power in the scrum cornerstone number three role.
Now an accomplished tighthead, he finds himself deputising in his old loosehead role, admitting only mastery of both will secure him a seat on the plane to Japan.
“I hadn’t played at loosehead for about two years, so I was a bit rusty,” said Porter, who featured in both prop roles during Ireland’s 29-10 victory over Italy in Dublin on Saturday.
“But it’s something I’ll be looking to work on to be as versatile as I can.
“So I’ll be looking to push that forward in the next few weeks.
“At the beginning, two years ago, switching from loosehead to tighthead was very tough. Moving across the scrum is like writing with your bad hand.
“But you’re going up against some of the best guys in the world in training and in matches, so that’s really helped over the last couple of years.
“And then it’s the same again in the past few months, having time at loosehead again.”
Porter admitted enjoying his twin tests on either side of the scrum, but insisted he still has plenty of hard graft ahead.
“The neck’s a bit stiffer than usual after a game, but hopefully I can just keep getting more used to it again,” said Porter.
“It’s always been something coaches go over with me, that if needs be I could slot back in at loosehead.
“So it’s important now to get reps in training, and have runs in games like these.
“It’s great to be able to play both sides, it pushes my case a bit forward like that.”
Head coach Joe Schmidt confirmed that Jack McGrath’s half-time substitution was to allow Porter the chance for a run back at loosehead.
New Ulster recruit McGrath and Munster man Dave Kilcoyne are Ireland’s specialist looseheads, with British and Irish Lions star Tadhg Furlong the main tighthead exponent.
Schmidt conceded that the flexibility for props to feature either side of the scrum becomes increasingly important when whittling numbers down to that final 31.
“We were really happy with Jack McGrath’s first half to be honest,” said Schmidt.
“He got off the line, made some good impact tackles. And Jack for us is very good around our attacking breakdown as well.
“But we wanted to shift Andrew Porter across and give him 20 minutes there.
“Because the reality is at the World Cup you’re going to need at least one prop who can play either side, potentially maybe even two.
“John Ryan has played either side in the past, and Finlay Bealham has played either side.
“So those three will probably be the guys who could cover that role, then the others would be more specialist, the likes of Cian Healy, Jack McGrath and Dave Kilcoyne on the loosehead and Tadhg Furlong on the tight.”
– PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments