WITH APPROXIMATELY HALF of Ireland’s squad playing in their very first Rugby World Cup, it’s little wonder that one word is on the lips of many questioning how far Ireland can go in the next six weeks.
Experience.
For Jamie Heaslip, however, having played at a World Cup is secondary to the depth of international experience in his squad across Six Nations and November Internationals.
“As a player, I’d put way more weight on their international experience and just playing the game,” the Leinster number 8 said after today’s captain’s run.
“When you factor in that, there’s a lot of lads there with a lot of game time under their belt.
“The fact that we’re moving to big cities like London and Cardiff and that side the guys who haven’t been to World Cups haven’t felt, but in terms of realising the importance of each game I think a lot of lads have experience at European level.
“The way we play our European competition in terms of each game is quite important, to get out of your group is your main goal and then, once you’re out, you’re in knock out rugby which is anyone’s game.
“But, that’s why that game-by-game mentality has to be harvested at the group stage in terms of propelling this team forward.”
Heaslip, who is a big American football fan, channelled his inner Bill Belichick when asked if Ireland needed to fulfil their potential at this tournament; instead insisting that everyone just needs to do their job and the results will come.
“Fulfilling potential… I don’t know about that. All we want to do, as players and individuals, is do your job. As a team player, you want to make your teammate look good. You want to make his job easier.
“You want to make it so he doesn’t have to worry about you, that he knows you’re going to be there and do your job. That kind of knock-on effect will lead to good job roles, good knowledge, bring confidence, good processes.
“Then hopefully you get the outcome you get. If you do all of that, sometimes you don’t, but at least you can hang up the jersey knowing you’ve done it proud.
The 31-year old was also asked what he expects from referee Glen Jackson when Ireland take on Canada tomorrow and admitted they have done their homework on the official but will focus on cutting out the needless penalties.
“We’re just going to worry about ourselves. I’m not going to tell anybody else to worry about the ref. Worry about our job and take that stuff out of the ref’s hands.
“We, as players, you obviously do your analysis of the ref because he’s a pretty big figure in the game. As a team, you try and see if they have any traits or particularly hot on anything but to be honest you worry more about yourself.
“You don’t want the ref involved, you just want to paint good pictures around rucks or mauls or carries or whatever and take his decisions out of the game.”
