Sexton in for game of the year
What a decision!
How many of us would have anticipated that Declan "Cool Hand Luke" Kidney would have axed Ronan O'Gara in favour of Jonny Sexton for the most eagerly anticipated of all the November fixtures, as Ireland take on World Champions South Africa at Croke Park?
Despite Sexton's flawless, nerveless display against Fiji on his international debut, all the smart money was on Ireland's most capped fly-half and record points scorer returning to the starting 15, with Sexton looking likely to come in at the opening of the 2010 Six Nations campaign against Italy in Dublin in February.
To be fair, Kidney admitted, following Sexton's impressive performance against the Fijians, that it was going to be close call.
But O'Gara has been demoted for the first time since he and David Humphreys were competing for the number 10 shirt several years ago.
Sexton, at 24, three years older than O'Gara when the Munsterman made his debut against Scotland in 2000, impressed me right from kick-off at the RDS.
He caught the Fijian starting kick and, rather than just boot the ball back down the park, had a quick look and set off at considerable pace, taking the Fijian defence totally by surprise. Wow!
O'Gara now has a battle on his hands for the first time since Eddie O'Sullivan made it clear to David Humphreys that the Ulster maestro was always going to be playing second fiddle, but his demise may be some way off.
Sexton has to step up again this Saturday and will find himself with much less room and time against a side that, while palpably battle-fatigued following the Lions series, the Tri-Nations and the current tour, will dig deep to deny Ireland a calendar year's rugby without loss.
Sexton's selection apart, and Keith Earls for the unfortunate Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing, coach Kidney was always going to stick with the side that bounced back so well to earn a draw against the Wallabies, although it will have been a close call between Paddy Wallace and Gordon D'Arcy at centre.
A wee bit of tinkering with the replacements sees Tom Court lose out to Tony Buckley, and, as if to give O'Gara some encouragement, Peter Stringer is back in the fold as replacement scrum-half.
Stephen Ferris was simply immense against Fiji and, having been denied the chance to take on the Springboks last summer because of a minor injury, he'll be bursting at the seams this weekend.
Ditto Messrs O'Driscoll, O'Connell, Wallace and all the other Irishmen who felt their efforts in Lions shirts deserved better.
Will it be the game of the year? Absolutely!
Hello, I'm Jim Neilly and I have been covering Ulster and Irish rugby for the BBC for 30 years. I also cover boxing for BBC Television.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~14~RS~)
Comments
I don't think you're right about the long term viability of O'Gara. Sexton can do everything O'Gara can do competently, but he has a running game and is better defensively. I think O'Gara could be the next O'Sullivan era Paddy Wallace. He might get a little more game time though!
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I think you've gotta give Jonny Sexton a fair crack of the whip. He had a fantastic game against Fiji. In a game that I think Ireland where flattered by the score line he was a genuine bright spark. It is a credit to Declan Kidney that he will drop the 'big' players when he thinks it is right. We need to bring through younger players and have competition for places.
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Good to see Sexton given a crack at S.A. ROG must be gutted not to get a chance to redeem himself after his mess up in the second Lions test against S.A.
I personally think it'll be good for ROG. He played some of his best rugby when being pushed for his shirt back in the Humph/ROG days and has slowly deteriorated over the last year and was lucky to tour with the Lions. This may be the kick up the behind he needs.
Although never a major ROG fan, I wouldn't discount him too early. When on form his pinging balls in to the corners can be immaculate. Out halves can go from the darlings of the nation to ridicule (and viceversa) in a much shorter time than any other position. Sexton had a long long road ahead of him.
I'm hoping Sexton's play will allow more to be seen of Paddy Wallace. He has been phenomenal for Ulster (and quietly impressive against Australia) and it would be great for all of Ireland if he could transfer that form fully to Ireland.
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I hope that Sexton survives the hype and wild expectations but more importantly that he physically survives the inevitable blitz from the Bok flankers. He is a target for everybody now and if he comes through with flying colours, which I think he can, he should be in the fly half catbird seat for the 6 nations and everything else for a long time after.It has been very frustrating to have had such a great but under exploited back line for so long, therefore, lets hope he is the key to a great new future of 15 man Irish rugby.
However, I think we need worry less about Sexton but more about our front five, set pieces,line-out and breakdown. If we get disrupted in these areas Habana and Petersen will have a field day. Forwards win a game. The backs only show by how much.
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hear hear whackercarthy
Why is everyone banging on about the fly-half position when the forwards have looked an indifferent unit to say the least (certain individuals excepted).
But on the fly-half subject I did say in my last entry on these Blogs that ROG had played against Aus with the relaxation of a condemned man - I think he knew it was coming. Going back the the David Humphries days there was never really any doubt as to which player could activate the strike runners - Henderson, Murphy, Hickey all prospered with DH - BOD is good enough to prosper anywhere - ... Bowe was leaping about to get O'Leary to pass prior to his try against Aus - it did come eventually but eventually
So maybe a half-back who can think quickly and who has an eye for a gap will help .......
But only if he gets some decent ball.
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Huge call from Kidney, and the right one.
Looking forward to the next world cup/six nations, we need to bring Sexton through, and what an oppurtunity to test him against the Boks!
O'Gara's aging, still a fine player, but he lacks the edge Sexton offers, and that edge will be crucial to Ireland's future success. We need to step up a level, and bringing younger players through is a big part.
Brave decision Declan, hope it's vindicated1
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Big decision from Kidney. SA are a very different proposition to Fiji. I think I would prefer D'Arcey alongside Sexton. ROG can still be a match winner even off the bench. The pack have got to front up, still waiting for big performances from the locks
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I'm not a new member. Why am I being pre-moderated?
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