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By Padraic Halpin
DUBLIN, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Soul searching and hard work dug
Ireland out of the "dark place" they were in a year ago, captain
Brian O'Driscoll said after Saturday's win over world champions
South Africa capped an undefeated 2010.
Ireland had been utterly uninspiring when their 11-game
unbeaten run began against Argentina this time last year, a rare
win that followed a chastening defeat to New Zealand, a dreadful
Six Nations and an even worse World Cup campaign a year earlier.
Fast forward 12 months and Ireland sit fourth in the world
rankings having won their first grand slam since 1948, a
remarkable year that culminated in Declan Kidney being named the
International Rugby Board's coach of the year on Saturday.
"We were probably in a bit of a dark place this time last
year and we did a lot of soul searching and there was a huge
amount of honesty," O'Driscoll told a news conference.
"To turn it around as quickly as we have is a huge credit to
everyone involved and it's a huge credit that we've managed to
go a calendar year undefeated."
WORK ETHIC
Former Munster boss Kidney, who was only settling into the
job a year ago, was quick to join his captain in praising the
players' detailed work ethic for such a successful year.
O'Driscoll added that Saturday's win, when they came from a
10-6 halftime deficit to beat the Tri Nations champions, along
with the last gasp comeback draw against Australia two weeks
earlier had shown how just how far they had progressed.
"It largely comes down to the work ethic. It's hugely
important that guys are willing to work when they come into camp
and put in the hours doing the small little bits and pieces,"
the centre said.
"We don't lose the run of ourselves. Today is a one off game
but it gives us renewed focus and realisation that we have the
ability to play through the 80 minutes."
Asked if the victory over South Africa, who were named IRB
team of the year despite the loss, made it a perfect 12 months,
Kidney typically said improvements could be made.
"There's no such thing as (perfect), there are moments of
perfection. Today was definitely a good day. We like to play
against these Tri Nations sides as much as possible and I think
we learn more about ourselves," Kidney said.
"We do know (today) we had home advantage. We know that
(South Africa saw) the ball come back off the post at one point
but we won't let that get in the way of a good night."
(Editing by Ken Ferris; To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Updated on Saturday, Nov 28, 2009 3:37 pm, EST Email to a Friend | View Popular
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