Gibbes positive about new challenge

LEINSTER FORWARDS’ coach Jono Gibbes smiled when asked if there was life after Rocky Elsom. Superlatives seem flimsy in conveying the magnitude of the impact the Australian flanker enjoyed during his one season with the Irish province that culminated in a thrilling Heineken Cup final victory.

Gibbes, in finding a way for Leinster’s forward play to evolve without Elsom, was enthused by the performance of former underage international Kevin McLaughlin in the weekend’s defeat to the Scarlets.

The former Gonzaga schoolboy has been thwarted by periodic injuries but, as those who watched last weekend’s game will attest, there is no doubting his ability.

The next few weeks may give him a chance to stake a more permanent claim on the number six jersey.

Gibbes admitted: “He (Elsom) was pretty awesome, made a significant contribution last year and it was great, but life has to go on; this year’s team, some new personnel have evolved. I don’t know if you saw the game, but Kevin McLoughlin’s performance was a real positive.

“His work-rate, his directness in the carry, his willingness to keep fighting for every inch and working hard on defence was a real plus. We’ve also recruited and we’ve got Nathan Hines, which is a new skills set for our lock department, so we’ve just got to evolve a few things and change our thinking in a couple of areas.

“ But with the personnel we’ve got we can still move forward and develop.”

The New Zealander’s sense of humour surfaced when asked to elaborate on the current well-being of long-term injury victim CJ van der Linde.

“Looks like he’s put on a few kilos so he’s obviously feeling relaxed and healthy. He’ll kill me for saying that; maybe scrub that one. His prognosis post-surgery is really positive. Every little criterion along the way he seems to have met positively, and the medical team are really optimistic. He’s progressing really well. I couldn’t actually tell you what his return-to-play date is but he’s met every criterion so far.”

Far from indulging in a post-European glow, Gibbes has found his charges even more resolute for the season ahead.

“They’re working hard in the gym but I’ve noticed guys having more attention to detail in the analysis, even after watching training sessions on video, they’re asking a lot more questions.

“The real disciplines of the game, they’re really striving for those now and asking questions around that, because they really want to be involved in the 22 every week.”

Gibbes pointed out that about 85 per cent of what Leinster did in defeat against Llanelli had some positive overtones in terms of possession, territory and the creation of chances. The disappointment for management and players was that it wasn’t converted into an away victory that would have proved a decent start to the campaign.

They won’t dwell on it because the Dragons arrive in Dublin on Saturday and that is now the focus. The Welsh side were easy winners over Ulster and Gibbes expects them to provide a tough examination.

“If I had to sum them (the Dragons) up in a word, it’s ‘bustling’, really. Anything on the ground, they’ll go for it. If you’re not committed to playing on the ground, they’ll bash you. They’ll get in your face, try and disrupt everything. They’ll keep coming forward and if we’re not committed to support or fighting for the space, then they’re up for that.

“They’re playing different kind of footie than they were previously, attacking a lot more, asking a lot more questions. They’re not just prepared to kick it and try and grind. They’re really taking it to the opposition. As I say, any little weakness, they’ll really pile in, so it’s a real challenge for us.”