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Sexton on the 'biggest problem' for Conor Murray
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton insists “marked man” Conor Murray is doing enough to justify his starting role for the Guinness Six Nations.
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Scrum-half Murray was previously one of the first names on the teamsheet for his country but his place has come under increasing threat due to a dip in form and the standout performances of John Cooney.
The 30-year-old Munster player has once again been given the nod over Ulster man Cooney for Saturday’s clash with Wales, despite an unconvincing display in the opening-weekend win over Scotland.
Fly-half Sexton felt long-standing half-back partner Murray performed well against the Scots, while suggesting his team-mate has become a victim of his own success.
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WATCH: Andy Farrell and Jonathan Sexton spoke to the press following Ireland’s 19-12 win over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
“When those opportunities present themselves, or if they present themselves, I’m sure he’ll be ready to go,” replied Sexton when asked about Murray not being as threatening around the ruck.
“But I don’t think they did last week. Some of that was the speed of ball. We were playing a lot off unstructured play.
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“Conor has scope to go and snipe. But international rugby, it doesn’t always open up.
“It’s not like provincial rugby or even some Heineken Cup games. It’s proper Test match rugby. Last week was a proper Test match.
“The biggest problem for Conor is he’s had those games where he’s ripped up the All Blacks in Chicago (in 2016), but then you become a marked man. Then sometimes the space isn’t there.
“It’s not as simple as, ‘Why didn’t that work? He didn’t do it this game.’
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“He played really well last week. I’m sure he’ll play well again this week.”
Wales cross the Irish Sea as reigning Grand Slam champions after completing last year’s tournament clean sweep by crushing Ireland 25-7 in Cardiff.
Skipper Sexton admits that emphatic defeat at the Principality Stadium still stings and expects a fiery showdown in Dublin.
Stern words from CJ Stander about social media abuse directed his family's way
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“We were going for a championship, they were going for a Grand Slam. We got well beaten out of the gate, a very disappointing day,” said Sexton.
“Any time you lose for Ireland it never leaves you, you think about it a lot and that was one of those days.
“On Lions tours and stuff, I’ve played with a lot of the (Wales) guys and got some great relationships with most of them.
“But on the pitch they’re a proud nation, we’re a proud nation, and no-one wants to take a backwards step. I’m sure it will be no different on Saturday.”
While Ireland began Andy Farrell’s reign as head coach by stuttering past the Scots 19-12, the Welsh blew away perennial Wooden Spoon winners Italy with a bonus-point victory which stylishly launched the Wayne Pivac era.
Your teams for Saturday's clash at the Aviva Stadium. #SixNations2020 #Ireland #Wales pic.twitter.com/rbkevRozti
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New Zealander Pivac, who succeeded compatriot Warren Gatland after last year’s World Cup, enjoyed plenty of battles against Irish sides in the Guinness PRO14 during a five-year stint with Scarlets, which included victory over Munster in the 2016-17 final.
Leinster man Sexton admits Pivac’s style of play has the potential to cause plenty of problems having been on the receiving end at club level.
“It’s new, when you’re playing against a team coached by someone different,” said 34-year-old Sexton.
“We’re so used to playing against Warren and his way of playing and it posed us big problems and we had great battles over the years.
“Now a new coach coming in, you can see already some of the ideas they have and we’ve played against him when he coached Scarlets, so we know some of the way they’re going to play.
“At times we have struggled against that style of play, when it was Leinster for example in the semi-final we lost to them, and Munster lost in the final to them.
“I’m sure they will be talking about that, or Wayne will and we have to be ready for that style of play.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments