FOR YEARS, JOHNNY Sexton was Jamison Gibson-Park’s right-hand man with both Leinster and Ireland, the pair forming a world-class half-back partnership.
The roles have changed now. Gibson-Park remains the premier scrum-half in the country, but Sexton has hung up the boots and joined Andy Farrell’s coaching staff.
Initially, the former Ireland captain did most of his work around the kicking game, but his influence has grown, working closely with Andrew Goodman around the attacking game, as well as lending his voice to any other areas where he feels he can add value. Another change last week so Sexton running the tee in the win over Argentina.
“It is different, yeah, but he’s still the same Johnny,” says Gibson-Park.
Jamison Gibson-Park was speaking to the media in Abbotstown on Wednesday. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
“I know he’s always got the coach’s hat on now and he’s doing that unbelievably well, but he’s still the same Johnny floating around the coffee room or whatever, copping slags about Man United and all that kind of stuff.
“But no, he’s a great fella, he’s such huge value and I obviously got so much out of him when I was playing and continue to do so, he has such an unbelievable IP.
“He hasn’t played the game for a few years, but he still sees it the same as he would have so we’re very lucky to have him.
“Like, he sees the game so well, so his input is everywhere, in our backs unit meetings, he’s talking on both sides of the ball,” he continues.
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“So it’s been great. I think he’s invaluable.”
The current Ireland 10s aren’t doing too badly, either. Gibson-Park highlights Sam Prendergast as a player he particularly enjoys playing with, and has been impressed by the out-half’s early-season form.
“I think probably trusting himself is one big thing. You can see it in his game, it just looks like he’s feeling it, he’s trusting his eyes and maybe at stages last year he’s probably second guessing himself whether he was doing the right thing.
“But when you play that type of game, you’re going to get things wrong, which is fine, but he’s able to move on to the next one pretty quickly and I’ve been really impressed with how he started the season.”
Sam Prendergast with Jamison Gibson-Park. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Likewise Ciarán Frawley, who has made a strong start to life as a Connacht player, and is pushing for more minutes with Ireland after coming off the bench against Argentina last week.
“I think it’s benefited him massively, making the move (to Connacht) and just getting the time in the saddle, playing a similar type of game to Ireland anyway with that attack shape in Connacht, so he’s been brilliant.”
Gibson-Park was also used as a replacement against the Pumas, having worked his way back from a groin injury which impacted the start of his own season. The scrum-half sat out Leinster’s opening games, making his first appearance in the home win over Munster in late October.
The 34-year-old explains the problem had impacted him across the back end of last season, too.
“I was kind of experiencing these symptoms right since the Six Nations and with the benefit of hindsight, I was looking back and thinking, you know, I certainly wasn’t at my best, I wasn’t able to apply myself fully in training.
“So I just wanted to take a bit of time out and make sure that things are right before I got back into it.”
The scrum-half came off the bench against Argentina. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Up and running again, the Leinster player is looking forward to a massive couple of weeks in the green jersey. Next week is the big one against South Africa, but before that there’s a home clash with Fiji on Saturday night [KO 8.10pm].
“They’re very physical and by nature they love to hammer people, so they’re looking to do that all game, which is a challenge in itself.
“But yeah, they’re an interesting team to play. They just like to play on top and got some unbelievable athletes through the middle, you know, big powerful forwards and crazy pace on the edges. So, it’s a tough challenge for sure, especially when they get stuff right themselves.
“I think we all know their DNA, they love to give the ball a bit of air, and they’ve got some serious athletes, some of the best outside backs in the world on their day, like (Jiuta) Wainiqolo is unbelievable, but they’ve got threats like that right across the park.
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Gibson-Park: Sexton is 'invaluable' part of Ireland coaching team
FOR YEARS, JOHNNY Sexton was Jamison Gibson-Park’s right-hand man with both Leinster and Ireland, the pair forming a world-class half-back partnership.
The roles have changed now. Gibson-Park remains the premier scrum-half in the country, but Sexton has hung up the boots and joined Andy Farrell’s coaching staff.
Initially, the former Ireland captain did most of his work around the kicking game, but his influence has grown, working closely with Andrew Goodman around the attacking game, as well as lending his voice to any other areas where he feels he can add value. Another change last week so Sexton running the tee in the win over Argentina.
“It is different, yeah, but he’s still the same Johnny,” says Gibson-Park.
“I know he’s always got the coach’s hat on now and he’s doing that unbelievably well, but he’s still the same Johnny floating around the coffee room or whatever, copping slags about Man United and all that kind of stuff.
“But no, he’s a great fella, he’s such huge value and I obviously got so much out of him when I was playing and continue to do so, he has such an unbelievable IP.
“Like, he sees the game so well, so his input is everywhere, in our backs unit meetings, he’s talking on both sides of the ball,” he continues.
“So it’s been great. I think he’s invaluable.”
The current Ireland 10s aren’t doing too badly, either. Gibson-Park highlights Sam Prendergast as a player he particularly enjoys playing with, and has been impressed by the out-half’s early-season form.
“I think probably trusting himself is one big thing. You can see it in his game, it just looks like he’s feeling it, he’s trusting his eyes and maybe at stages last year he’s probably second guessing himself whether he was doing the right thing.
“But when you play that type of game, you’re going to get things wrong, which is fine, but he’s able to move on to the next one pretty quickly and I’ve been really impressed with how he started the season.”
Likewise Ciarán Frawley, who has made a strong start to life as a Connacht player, and is pushing for more minutes with Ireland after coming off the bench against Argentina last week.
“I think it’s benefited him massively, making the move (to Connacht) and just getting the time in the saddle, playing a similar type of game to Ireland anyway with that attack shape in Connacht, so he’s been brilliant.”
Gibson-Park was also used as a replacement against the Pumas, having worked his way back from a groin injury which impacted the start of his own season. The scrum-half sat out Leinster’s opening games, making his first appearance in the home win over Munster in late October.
The 34-year-old explains the problem had impacted him across the back end of last season, too.
“I was kind of experiencing these symptoms right since the Six Nations and with the benefit of hindsight, I was looking back and thinking, you know, I certainly wasn’t at my best, I wasn’t able to apply myself fully in training.
“So I just wanted to take a bit of time out and make sure that things are right before I got back into it.”
Up and running again, the Leinster player is looking forward to a massive couple of weeks in the green jersey. Next week is the big one against South Africa, but before that there’s a home clash with Fiji on Saturday night [KO 8.10pm].
“They’re very physical and by nature they love to hammer people, so they’re looking to do that all game, which is a challenge in itself.
“But yeah, they’re an interesting team to play. They just like to play on top and got some unbelievable athletes through the middle, you know, big powerful forwards and crazy pace on the edges. So, it’s a tough challenge for sure, especially when they get stuff right themselves.
“I think we all know their DNA, they love to give the ball a bit of air, and they’ve got some serious athletes, some of the best outside backs in the world on their day, like (Jiuta) Wainiqolo is unbelievable, but they’ve got threats like that right across the park.
“They’re a pretty formidable team on their day.”
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