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What Ireland's Josh Van der Flier took from Richie McCaw
By Online Editors
Ireland's emerging openside Josh Van der Flier has revealed that studying one of the game's greats has helped shape his mindset as he embarks on his international career.
Before Ireland's home clash with France, the 25-year-old spoke with reporters about how he has altered his approach when it comes to contesting at the breakdown after reading All Black legend Richie McCaw's book.
"What actually changed my mindset was that I was reading a bit of McCaw's book a few years ago.
"He said he stopped looking at the number of turnovers he got but looked at how effective he was with the number of chances he had.
"That's probably more the way I'd look at it now. Sometimes I might end up going to too many breakdowns - as in I'm not needed.
"I'm just parked up doing nothing and sometimes I was needed in a breakdown and the ball slowed down because I didn't get there. So I try and read it as I go and make sure where I should be and not be wasted I suppose."
The 'quality not quantity' approach has worked for the Leinster flank, who has seen regular game time with Ireland with legend Sean O'Brien and club teammate Dan Leavy suffering injuries. Since debuting in 2016, Van der Flier has been involved in two wins over the All Blacks, first in Chicago and then in November's win in Dublin where he notched 16 tackles on 17 attempts.
"That was the big thing for me anyway watching [Richie] McCaw and [David] Pocock, when you see on the TV however many turnovers they got in the game," van der Flier said.
Joe Schmidt press conference after France win:
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A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!
The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.
Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)
I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.
This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).
This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.
Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!
Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍
Go to commentsWouldn’t mind seeing that grounding in slow mo there. Too much to ask?
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