Carney set for testing time
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is backing rugby league convert Brian Carney to rise to the challenge of breaking into the Test team.
O’Sullivan jets off to Buenos Aires today for Ireland’s two-Test tour of Argentina with a largely second-string squad, including Carney, hoping to push for a World Cup-squad place.
On his decision to call up former Wigan and Great Britain winger Carney, O’Sullivan said: “I wouldn’t have called Brian up unless I thought he was good enough.
“I would still be guarded about it but from what I have seen of him with Munster, he is a very good player and is a footballer who has played at the highest level and has made the transition pretty flawlessly.
“He played on the wing in rugby league and does the same in union. It’s probably the easiest transition to make. I believe he will acquit himself well and it is a challenge for him. The next step up is to Test level.”
O’Sullivan will not be tempted to try Carney out in the full-back role during the Argentina tour.
“It was great for Brian to play full-back for Munster recently but the Magners League is not international rugby and it would not be fair to him to throw him in at the deep end at full-back in Test rugby.
“This tour is not about any experimental tactics. We will keep it simple and hopefully we will be wiser at the end of it.
“It’s not a long tour and we have players being rested and that gives fellas a great opportunity to throw down a marker for the World Cup.
“This tour is the real deal for a lot of guys to put their hand up for a World Cup place.
“For that reason it is a very important tour and the players know that and it’s not about intensity in training. It is about holding them back.”
O’Sullivan has had the majority of his 30-man squad – apart from those involved in the Heineken Cup final – based at a camp in Limerick this week.
“I always had it in my mind to rest as many players as possible and I’m glad we had that opportunity,” he added. “It opens the door for those travelling to Argentina.
“There is a fair bit of pressure on them and they have a lot to play for. That is a great way to go on tour.
“Also we’re not going out just to fulfil the fixtures. We are going out to win two Test games. It will be a tall order. It’s never easy to win out there but it is a good target to have.”
Ireland take on the Pumas, their World Cup Pool D opponents, next Saturday in Santa Fe and a week later in Buenos Aires, with O’Sullivan aiming to examine the Test credentials of as many players as possible.
“I would like to give a run to as many players as I can. I need to see as many of the back rows as possible. I think you will see quite a few changes in the team from week to week.
“The players involved in the Heineken Cup final will arrive next Tuesday which gives them a short build-up for the first Test on Saturday week, so the first Test will probably involved those who are in camp here with us in Limerick.
“We will make as many changes as possible but that doesn’t mean that all the players will get a chance to play. The tough part is that guys may only get one shot at earning a World Cup place, and that is especially true of the back row.”
