Difference between sides was at half-back

RUGBY:One was man of the match, the other was Mike Blair, the Scottish scrumhalf who was appalling in everything he did, writes LIAM TOLAND

IN THE opening salvo man-of-the-match Ronan O’Gara received four passes. By the fourth Ireland were seven points up and dominated field position. The master was at his best. His terr-itory was matched more than equally by Scotland’s terr-ible.

As predicted this was a sticky one but it should never have been the stickiest situation since Sticky the Stick insect got caught on a sticky bun. Unfortunately it became just that and it leaves questions to be asked of both sides.

What would have happened if Scotland’s brain remained intact and didn’t gift wrap three tries to none? What in God’s name were the Scots doing throwing ball over the tail on their goal line when they have several bean poles in the lineout? What was Scottish centre Nick De Luca doing in defence for Jamie Heaslip’s try? What was referee Nigel Owens doing at scrum time: “Hitting low and running round”? And what goes through the Irish players’ minds when faced with right versus wrong (penalties)?

If Scotland were any good then they would be brilliant. There are glimpses of something bubbling for them. They are looking more comfortable building phases but their starting half-backs killed them. Ultimately the difference between the sides was at half-back.

One was man of the match, the other was Mike Blair, the Scottish scrumhalf who was appalling in everything he did. In the 25th minute once again O’Gara pumped the corners. Along came the Scottish brain fart over the tail of the lineout and then an Irish scrum.

I implore you to watch that scrum once more. It starts off in Scotland’s favour but Mike Ross gets a brilliant counter-punch going which fixes Scottish number eight Johnnie Beattie in the scrum. Forget him and watch Blair as he “watches” the play unfold. Jamie Heaslip picks going right and Eoin Reddan pounces on his shoulder. All the while Reddan’s direct opponent, Blair, remains at the other side of the scrum, watching. Reddan had a fine game, providing a threat in space, keeping his forwards going, box kicking when necessary and for his troubles he’ll never get an easier try. Blair should be tied to a gun carriage for his performance. And his young outhalf Ruaridh Jackson should be made to push it.

There were glimpses of something bubbling for Ireland too. There were several rumbles. Seán O’Brien, Cian Healy, David Wallace all carried brilliantly, so too Paul O’Connell. Even Mike Ross dummied on the ball and rumbled forward. Leading up to O’Gara conceding a 35th-minute “holding” the ball penalty under the Scottish posts Ireland were bristling through brilliant carries and offloads by both Healy and Gordon D’Arcy. But clearly Declan Kidney valued a victory far above the performance, which is understandable.

Ireland’s play-book prioritised position over everything, followed by reasonable possession and when the opposition facilitated, penetration. Numbers 12 through 15 were completely under-utilised as a result and couldn’t get outside the Scottish defence. They are far too talented to be ignored. Keith Earls’ only opportunity arrived at half-time when Tommy Bowe entered the line for the only time.

Is this harsh? I’m not sure just yet but Wales will ask questions and England many more. Neither will allow a lineout ball to bounce five metres from their goal line. Neither, too, will send two centres in to tackle a hooker five metres from their line. I’m very confused as this Irish side have now scored three tries each against France and Scotland and I’m not convinced by the performance. Can we look with confidence on the coming Tests?

The score stood 12 points to 21 with 20 minutes to go. O’Gara, the man with the Midas touch, was ready to depart. Jonny Sexton received a master-class lesson on field position and the priorities of Test match rugby. How this will affect his understanding of the Test arena and Ireland’s role in it only time will tell. Kidney’s next move at half-back will be intriguing. O’Gara could have done little more, Reddan likewise, so Kidney faces a horrible decision, the result of which will tell us much about him.

Judging the bench’s performance is tough. Right when Kidney released the hounds Scotland through Dan Parks and Seán Lamont cranked it up. It was the 54th minute before Lamont was brought into the game from an off-the-top lineout, one minute after Parks’ introduction. On Parks’ arrival Lamont suddenly sprung into life as did Richie Gray. In doing so Ireland should have reacted but didn’t. Is this the bench’s fault? Certainly not, but it was just Denis Leamy who made an impact, especially his vital steal from Max Evans in the 77th minute.

This does highlight how poorly Ireland played against a very mediocre rugby nation. Scotland coach Andy Robinson deserves huge credit for what he’s achieved with the Scots. I now wonder where Kidney stands.

Once again errors are killing any chance of putting a poor Scottish side away. Our first came within a minute when O’Connell (who was towering throughout) played the ball in an offside position. This is schoolboy stuff. Worse was to come on the 17th minute from Jamie Heaslip, who had his quietest game for Ireland. Another innocuous Scottish breakdown was the source of his daft penalty. This time he was interfering with the dummy half-back at the breakdown. He should have been sin binned and subsequently fined by his management. A player of his quality should lead and not follow the malaise. Scotland 6, Ireland 7.

The win was crucial but time is not quite on our side for Rugby World Cup 2011 and prior to all that England will come a visiting and there is much to be concerned about in our performance. Likewise Wales, who struggled to beat Italy, will test us so it’s time to crank it up.