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Shane in an ice bath after training. INPHO/Dan Sheridan
RWC2011

Shane Jennings' World Cup diary: week one

“It’s an unbelievable disappointment. I would love to play – but these things happen and you just have to get on with it. That’s the reality.”

WHEN WE ARRIVED in Queenstown, the whole squad got a bit of a lift.

As a group we couldn’t believe what a place it is. We were all pretty excited – and me especially I think – about the trip but when we landed there it really took everything up a notch.

It’s hard to put into words how warm the welcome was and we really hit the ground running. We got the work done on the pitch that we needed to get done but we enjoyed it off the pitch as well.

Importantly, I think we all made a conscious effort to spend time in the company of guys that we maybe hadn’t had that opportunity to do so before, so from that point of view the first week was very, very good.

We headed up to New Plymouth then and everyone realised and knew that it was a pretty frustrating game. The conditions were miserable but, now, we’re not too worried about the scoreline.

It’s a win which has led up to the most important week. This one.

The team was named over the past few days and of course I was disappointed not to be in the first XV this time. It’s an unbelievable disappointment.

I would love to play – but these things happen and you just have to get on with it. That’s the reality. There are other lads who aren’t involved in the USA game and they’re not starting again. Other lads have come in. That’s just the way sport is.

‘These so-called minnows are not really minnows’

We had a few really good meetings in Queenstown and we said we have to stay positive. We need to focus on a group of 30 throughout the tournament, not a group of 15 or 22. It’s too important.

After the America game, people were frustrated, and rightly so – because we didn’t give a good account of ourselves. But the thing I’ve learned throughout this tournament, young as it is, is that these so-called minnows are not really minnows. They’re very good, physical teams.

You’ve got to give credit to the Aussies; they’re a very finished side, very balanced, their scrum’s going very well, they’ve got the likes of Rocky [Elsom] who we know so well from Leinster and Pocock who – if you give him time – could dominate.

Quade Cooper is a good player, their wingers are dangerous, and when you see Digby Ioane get injured and someone like O’Connor coming in, you know they’re a serious outfit and have strength in depth. But you know what? We’re underdogs and we have a point to prove.

If our ruck ball is good and we get the set pieces right, it will go a long way

Brian (O’Driscoll) and Paulie (O’Connell) and some of the senior players have spoken very well this week and we’re determined to focus on the job in hand.

As regards a roommate, I’m in with Paddy Wallace as usual. Whenever we’re away or in camp we usually try to get in together and we’re good pals at this stage.

He’s a good ol’ lad – always on the phone to his wife and kids. We have a day off today so we’ll head into the city, we’re about 20k outside the town at the moment.

We’re working our way through a few TV series at the moment. Paddy’s a bit of a tech guy and gets his hands on good films and whatever. We’ve just finished season eight of Entourage and we’re moving onto something else now I’d say.

Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip and Cian Healy take a walk around Auckland city. INPHO/Dan Sheridan

In the evenings we get a bit of treatment usually and there’s table-tennis in the hotel, which is occupying us. I have to say Paddy’s a little better than me at the moment so he has bragging rights in our room.

But tonight, as I say, we’ll head into town and meet up with some of the other lads, have a meal together and come back for the night.

Up the Dubs

Our game on Saturday isn’t the only game of the weekend of course. I get along to the Dubs’ games as much as I can. Sometimes with Leinster or Ireland duties it’s not possible but this summer I was at the Leinster final against Wexford and a few other games.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the news and reading the newspapers. It’s a big old day for the Dubs; I’ve got my jersey here and though I don’t know if I’ll be getting up at three or four in the morning quite yet, I have the fingers crossed for them.

They’re a serious outfit and hopefully they’ve learned lessons over the past few years.

Slideshow: Irish rugby squad take a walk around Auckland

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