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'We just need him to keep being himself' - Sexton's vote of confidence for Stockdale
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton wants Jacob Stockdale to “keep being himself” after the Ulster player’s night to forget against France. Stockdale came in for heavy criticism following an error-ridden performance at fullback as Ireland fell to a 35-27 defeat in Paris which ended their Six Nations title hopes.
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Filling the vacant fullback position has been a key issue for Ireland head coach Andy Farrell since he brought the curtain down on Rob Kearney’s long hold on the jersey.
Leinster’s Jordan Larmour appeared to be the heir apparent and started Ireland’s three Six Nations games before the season was suspended earlier this year.
However with injury ruling Larmour out of the autumn Test window, Stockdale took the No 15 jersey for the recent Six Nations games against Italy and France, despite his previous 28 caps all coming on the wing.
The 24-year-old has had an increasing amount of game-time at fullback with Ulster and while he remains a devastating attacking threat, he has been susceptible to defensive errors, and there remains some debate about his most effective position.
While Farrell is likely to experiment at fullback during the Autumn Nations Cup, Stockdale is still the leading candidate to fill the position in the opening two games against Wales and England.
And speaking to the media today, Ireland captain Sexton issued a vote of confidence in Stockdale, backing his teammate to put the France game behind him.
“I spoke to Jacob a couple of days ago and he’s been in good form,” Sexton said.
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“Obviously last week (against France) was tough for a lot of guys, for everyone really. You go into a big game and we don’t perform as a team to the level that we wanted, so it was a tough week last week. Guys were down. But guys have bounced back really well and I spoke to him.
“He’s a great guy, Jacob, and he knows that some of the mistakes that he made on the day, you capitalise on them… There was one time he made a great line break and the ball just slipped out of his hand. It was a bar of soap.
“Another one where it was fired at his feet, knocked-on… Those type of things, he’ll get them the next day.
“We just need him to keep being himself because you saw what he can do against Italy, you’ve seen what he can do, especially at fullback, over the season with Ulster.
“I can remember a couple of years ago playing a (Champions Cup) quarter-final (against Ulster), he was probably the best player on the pitch that day. Outstanding in the air, attacking.
“He’s kept his confidence, and we’re looking forward to seeing his best on Friday night.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
that 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
24 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 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
24 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.
24 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.
17 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. Those praising him are a joke.
17 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.
24 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
24 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
24 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to comments