‘We’re animals, we’re greedy’ – Kearney still hungry at 60-cap milestone

CAST YOUR EYES towards Rob Kearney during this afternoon’s Irish anthems and you’ll get a glimpse of what the fullback refers to as “the weakest moment of my week.”

Kearney wins his 60th Ireland cap this afternoon. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Kearney will line up alongside Johnny Sexton and the rest of his Ireland teammates, then pick out the parents’ box in the stand as Amhrán na bhFiann bursts into life, briefly allowing the emotion to sweep over him as he spots David and Siobhán.

“That’s the one time you feel at your most vulnerable,” says Kearney of the instant when he sees his proud parents watching on.

He’s been through it enough times before to regather his composure instantly, however, immediately focusing back in on the demanding task that lies ahead today. This is cap number 60 for the Louth man; his mental readiness is never an issue.

Kearney’s Ireland career began in Buenos Aires in the summer of 2007 with a debut on the left wing against the Pumas. More than seven years as the premier fullback in the country have followed, but he says this particular milestone is not one he was even aware of until midweek.

“50 is a milestone and from that perspective, that was a proud day being able to lead the boys out against Scotland in the Six Nations last year. 60 is no different to 59.”

Those 59 appearances have seen the fullback help Ireland to a Grand Slam in 2009 as well as last year’s Six Nations Championship under Joe Schmidt. Add in a central role at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and Kearney’s international career so far is an impressive one.

Still, he is far from satisfied with what he has achieved and points to a persistent hunger for more.

“We’re animals, we’re greedy. I’ve been blessed to be part of so many great teams over the last nine, 10 years and I’ve won a lot of brilliant things, but you always want more.

Kearney on his Ireland debut in 2007. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

“The 2013 Lions tour in Australia was probably the single biggest period that I’ve been disappointed with in terms of my career and how that all panned out, and a World Cup is a huge arena and a competition you want to achieve in too.”

Those wrongs can be righted in the coming months and years perhaps, but there are more pressing concerns for Kearney this weekend. As well as being a greedy breed, rugby players are short-term beings.

Schmidt has built a culture of focusing only on the next task at hand, and with Stuart Lancaster’s England visiting today there is every reason to forget about the future.

Kearney himself has played against England five times, with the 2009 victory at Croke Park remaining his only success in this fixture. He points to 2012’s dark day in Twickenham as the lowest point of his on-field relationship with the English.

The Leinster man was not involved in the home victory in Dublin in 2011, the last time Ireland beat England. Kearney argues that the recent run of four defeats against the old enemy means very little to proceedings this afternoon.

“But I’m a fan of the game, a supporter of the game, I love rugby, so naturally I’m going to look back over what’s happened in history, that’s only a natural thing.

“At the same time, I know it will have no bearing on the outcome of this game.”

Speaking of records, runs of results and such matters, Ireland have the chance to equal their best-ever winning streak of 10 today. That record has stood since 2003 and Kearney reveals that head coach Schmidt “mentioned it to us last week.”

Achieving 10 victories in a row is not a primal focus for Ireland though, this meeting with England being more about improving their chances of retaining the Six Nations title. Any pressure or expectation on the outside is very much that, as Kearney explains.

“You can see just how much of a bubble we’re in down at Carton House. It’s bed, to meeting rooms, to training field, to gym, to meetings, to bed. Joe Soap on the street has more insight into the expectations on the Irish rugby team than the guys in the team itself do.

Instead of concentrating on equalling longstanding records, Kearney and Ireland will have narrowed in on the game plan and the tangible factors that can help them to beat England.

“We’ve got some of the best kicking halfbacks in the world, some of the best catchers in the world; you’d be mad not to play to your strengths. Sometimes the kicking game gets unfair criticism, but you’d be mad not to take to the field and not do things you’re good at.”

Whatever about playing to strengths, one senses that there is more to come from Ireland in terms of passing and attacking teams on the outside edge. Kearney agrees, but also points to the difficulty of doing so against a team like England.

“Against France we certainly left a few opportunities out there. England do rush very hard, they play strong up, so being able to get to those outside channels is a little bit more difficult.

“The chances of back lines being able to throw two long passes now are diminished, because by the time that second man gets the ball, he’s hit. I think it’s a combination of being a little bit more ballsy sometimes to throw that pass into the next channel, and the strong, hard-up defences making it more difficult.

“One intercept is the game now, seven points is the game changed. It’s getting there, and it will come. It’s something we have spoken about, something we recognise we need to get a little better at.”

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