{"id":295579,"date":"2023-10-08T13:24:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T13:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=295579"},"modified":"2023-10-08T13:24:44","modified_gmt":"2023-10-08T13:24:44","slug":"rookie-jimmy-obrien-ready-to-take-on-new-zealand-if-injuries-bite-for-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-union\/rookie-jimmy-obrien-ready-to-take-on-new-zealand-if-injuries-bite-for-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"Rookie Jimmy O\u2019Brien ready to take on New Zealand if injuries bite for Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ireland have no concerns about potentially thrusting Test rookie Jimmy O\u2019Brien into a World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand as they anxiously wait on the availability of first-choice wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe.<\/p>\n

Hansen was forced off for a head injury assessment in the first half of Saturday evening\u2019s 36-14 win over Scotland before suffering a calf issue on his return.<\/p>\n

Lowe departed at half-time due to a bang in the eye after claiming the first of his side\u2019s six tries in Paris.<\/p>\n

Versatile back O\u2019Brien, who made his international debut last autumn, is the only member of Andy Farrell\u2019s 33-man squad yet to feature in France and has started just four Tests across seven caps.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old may well be needed against the All Blacks as, in addition to the fitness concerns for Lowe and Hansen, veteran wing Keith Earls is nursing a slight hamstring problem.<\/p>\n

Defence coach Simon Easterby said: \u201cIt\u2019s probably a little too early to say either way but, if they get ruled out, Jimmy\u2019s been waiting in the wings and did an incredible job last November to come in with a couple of late call-ups.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no issue with Jimmy if he gets an opportunity. Hopefully we\u2019ll have a full deck to choose from come Tuesday or Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mad when there\u2019s a late kick-off, we\u2019re getting used to them, but it takes a bit of time for injuries to settle and then for guys to get assessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the next 24 to 48 hours we\u2019ll be able to get a better read on those guys, but everyone\u2019s in good form today, which is nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Centre Garry Ringrose and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park were deployed as makeshift wide men in the second period at Stade de France as Ireland breezed into the knockout rounds while eliminating the Scots.<\/p>\n

Earls was absent from the matchday 23 along with centre Robbie Henshaw, who also has a hamstring problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of those things that at a push he could have been involved this weekend, and it was probably one of those we felt wasn\u2019t the right time to risk him,\u201d Easterby said of Earls.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we were really pleased it was flagged when it was and we had the opportunity to make the call early enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cFingers crossed he\u2019s fully fit for this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll both be running today, Earlsy and Robbie, and will sort of be progressing into training Monday or Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lock James Ryan, who injured his other wrist after sustaining a similar issue against South Africa a fortnight ago, is another player being assessed.<\/p>\n

Ireland are preparing to face the \u201cstandard bearers of the World Cup\u201d after topping Pool B thanks to four consecutive wins.<\/p>\n

Three-time champions New Zealand defeated Joe Schmidt\u2019s Ireland 46-14 in the quarter-finals of the 2019 tournament in Japan.<\/p>\n

The All Blacks have extensive inside knowledge of Farrell\u2019s men due to Schmidt joining their coaching set-up ahead of Ireland\u2019s series success in New Zealand last summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Joe\u2019s influence certainly has increased in the past 12 months, but we\u2019ve got to be excited about playing the standard bearers of the World Cup,\u201d said Easterby.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly Joe will know plenty about what we\u2019re about, the individuals within our group, but we\u2019ll have an insight as well into what they might try and do as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I think it\u2019s finely balanced and it\u2019s an interesting sub-plot to the game itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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