Murray Kinsella reports from Wembley
DEVIN TONER ARRIVED into the media room absolutely dripping in sweat this afternoon.
Fresh from Ireland’s captain’s run, the towering lock pointed out that he’s a particularly sweaty man anyway, but the perspiration was somewhat telling at the start of what is a huge weekend for Toner’s international career.
Iain Henderson set the second row stall alongside Paul O’Connell last Saturday against Canada, having been preferred to Toner in the starting XV.
“It’s absolutely massive,” said Toner of his selection in the Ireland team to face Romania tomorrow.
“I was obviously disappointed not to be involved last week, but it just reinforces the fact that everyone has to perform in every game and that we take every game as a single. It’s a huge opportunity for me personally and hopefully I get in done.”
Toner is a succinct communicator, not prone to long soliloquies at press events, but he confronts the issue head on with a group of journalists huddled around him, dictaphones and microphones pressed towards his face.
The fact that Ireland wheeled Toner out after the captain’s run says it all: the 6ft 10ins lock is well able to handle himself.
“You can see the competition in the squad for places now,” said Toner. “There’s really quality lads that aren’t being involved and it just reinforces the fact that we’ve got a lot of strength in depth. Hendy is playing brilliantly well, so I’ve got to front up this week.”
The main issues for Toner – previously a cornerstone of Schmidt’s first-choice team – in recent times have been ball-carrying and tackling. There were disappointments in both areas during the World Cup warm-up clash against England.
“I have a pretty good idea now that I haven’t been getting on the ball a lot in the last couple of games, and mainly a couple of my defensive stats weren’t great,” said Toner.
“I think they were the two main reasons. You do look back at what you need to improve and obviously Hendy is a fantastic ball carrier. If I can emulate him, it will be good, but I don’t know…”
There’s a brief laugh at the thought of attempting to replicate Henderson’s unique ball carrying power, but at 124kg Toner brings weight to the carry.
What of the defensive work-ons?
It’s just about getting the reps in and getting off the line, actually making the tackles,” said Toner. “I think you saw in that England game that I slipped off Marler when he went through, so it’s just getting the bite in the shoulder and getting your feet underneath you.”
Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss takes up the storyline after Toner has departed back to the changing room in the Wembley stands:
“I wouldn’t say he has to counter what Hendy did, but from his own perspective Devin was disappointed with his performance against England,” said Kiss. “He’s a good pro, and he played 20-odd games straight for us before that and he did play a lot of good rugby for us.
“Just little things like getting sharp off the line with his footwork but also managing his height. As a tall guy, the tighter you get, you stay high and you don’t get good technique. It’s working on elements of managing the tall beanstalk that he is.
“That type of focus in the last couple of weeks is what he’s been putting his work into. And it will also transfer into the other side of the game when he carries the ball – if you get caught high you can compromise the kind of ball you want to deliver.
“So he’s certainly put his mind on the job and he’s hoping to rectify those things. We’d expect to see a bit of a change there. One of his key strengths is his lineout, and we’re very aware of what Romania did to France in that area.”
Toner will be the man to call the lineouts for Ireland against this competitive Romanian unit, fully aware of what Lyn Howells’ side will bring to the party. Donnacha Ryan’s experience beside him will be useful.
They are mainly trying to get two pods up and (Mihai) Macovei is trying to get up in the air as much as possible,” said Toner. “So we obviously had a look at that and we’ve a fair idea of where we’re going to go and what we’re going to call.”
With the captain’s run complete and his media duties done, Toner wandered back across the road to Ireland’s team hotel.
“We’ll be relaxing (for the day) to be honest,” he said before departing. “We’re in a fantastic place just over the road from the stadium so I think lads will get out, have a cup of coffee and just relax to be honest.”
The calm before a very important storm for Devin Toner.
