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Carbery in awe of 'perfectionist' Sexton after that kick
By Nathaniel Cope
The clock is ticking down and Johnny Sexton is struggling with cramp, Joey Carbery is told to prepare to go on.
But Sexton battles through the pain and unleashes a 40-metre drop goal to steal a dramatic 15-13 win over France at the Stade de France.
Carbery looked on in awe, "You know Johnny can always pull a bit of magic out of the hat. It's huge because in the back of your mind always is that bit of pressure. One mistake and it could be over."
"Greasy ball, bit of wind as well, it was an incredible kick. It was great to see the whole reaction after it, everybody jumping on him. It shows the character in the team. It's exciting."
For Carbery it's a case of watch, learn and improve, with Sexton having a firm hold of the number 10 jersey.
“If you’re competing with the best you’ll have to be better yourself. I’m looking at it that way rather than: ‘not being played’. He’s making me better and I know me being better will make him better as well."
"Watching the last five minutes (against France), if I can take half of what he did there and put it into my game then I'll be improved."
It seems that Sexton is operating in a mentor role and readily available to guide the 22-year-old.
"He just wants perfection, and that makes everybody play better. He does give me advice, especially when it comes down to kicking. He's a great person to have. I know I can always go to him if I have a question and he'll give me an honest answer."
The New Zealand born playmaker has predominantly played at full back for his club Leinster this season, but Joe Schmidt clearly sees him as the first choice back-up to Sexton.
Carbery got some game time during the Autumn, starting against Fiji, in a match where he injured his wrist, which meant a long absence.
He returned in time to make an appearance from the bench for Leinster in their Champions Cup game with Montpellier - it was enough for Joe Schmidt to select him in his Six Nations squad and subsequently in the 23 for France.
With Italy up next, it could be a chance for Ireland to test a few of their up-and-coming stars and Carbery insists he'll be ready if given the nod.
"Game time you can't really recreate but our training is as close as you can get to it. If Joe (Schmidt) picks me you've got to trust his faith. He's the man who knows. I feel like I'd be ready."
Ireland have won 17 of their 18 matches against Italy in the 6 Nations, their sole defeat was in 2013 - now would be as good a chance as any to blood a few players in a championship environment. They're big boots to fill for Carbery, but one's he's happy to step in.
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Latest Comments
I agree.
I’d like to know what constitutes a 208 week ban though?
Must the eyeball be dislodged? Hanging by a vein?
Go to commentsAlso a Bristol fan and echo your sentiments.
I love watching Bristol but their approach will only get them so far I think. Exeter played like this when they first got promoted to the prem and had intermittent success, it wasn't until they wised up and played a more balanced game that they became a consistently top side.
I really want Bristol to continue playing this brand of rugby and I don't mind them running it from under their posts but I don't think they need to do it every single time. They need to be just a little bit more selective about when and where on the pitch they play. Every game they put themselves under so much needless pressure by turning the ball over under their posts trying to do kamikaze moves when it's not required. By all means run it from your goal line if there is a chance for a counter attack, we all want to see Bristol running in 100m tries from under their posts but I think until they learn when to do it and when to be pragmatic, they are unlikely to win the premiership.
Defense has been a real positive from Bristol, they've shown a lot of improvement there... And I will say that I think this kamikaze strategy they employ is a very good one for a struggling side and could be employed by Newcastle. It's seems to have turned around Gloucester's fortunes. The big advantage is even if you don't have the biggest and best players, what you have is cohesion. This is why Scotland keep battering England. England have better individuals but they look muddled as a team, trying to play a mixed strategy under coaches who lack charisma, the team has no identity. Scotland come out and give it full throttle from 1-15 even if they struggle against the top sides, sides like England and Wales who lack that identity drown under the relentless will and synergy of the Scots. If Newcastle did the same they could really surprise some people, I know the weather is bad up there but it hasn't bothered the Scots. Bristol can learn from Scotland too, Pat is on to something when he says the following but Scotland don't play test matches like headless chickens. They still play with the same level of clarity and ambition Bristol do but they are much better at picking their moments. They needed to go back to this mad game to get their cohesion back after a couple of seasons struggling but I hope they get a bit wiser from matches like Leinster and La Rochelle.
“If there’s clarity on what you’re trying to do as a team you can win anything.”
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