In choosing the ‘safest option’ by Irish Rugby first-five Joey Carbery (in his team’s loss to Japan) it only proved that taking the Losing Bonus-point mentality is passive thinking by Ireland; in rugby terms.
A highlights package shows how Japan overcame the stout Ireland team in their pool game, through sheer tenacity. They are just as talented, just as enthusiastic yet vastly under-resourced. Although, that did not matter, as Japan took apart the Irish and held on to another shock outcome at a Rugby World Cup.
Video footage below shows how at the end of the game, with time running out – and in possession on their own line – Irish rugby pivot Joey Carbery (see main photo, left) had many options at hand. He could ‘play the ball’ and hope that his side could break the energetic Japanese defence. The Irish side could have run the ball the length of the field, and been in a position to earn a reputation-saving draw.
That was one option.
However, Carbery steps back, and takes the passive option to kick for the sideline that ends time. The final play of the match, the whistle is blown. Game over.
The 2015 Miracle of Brighton ✅
The 2019 Shock of Shizuoka ✅
History made ✅@JRFURugby 🇯🇵✨#RWC2019 #JPNvIRE #RWCShizuoka pic.twitter.com/L1RTeLECMb
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
Now, the recrimination and self-examination begins.
Taking the Losing Bonus-point mentality passive thinking
Passive thinking on the part of the Irish attack has cost them much, after their September 28 loss to Japan. That is the mentality of going for safety, rather than risking the effort to attack. And there would have been a risk involved – lose possession; and with the crowd behind them, Japan might have extended their lead.
“I knew we were still in with a losing bonus point and I didn’t see too many other options on, so I just put it out.”
That statement from a downcast Joey Carbery, says much for the attitude of the Irish team. Some have purported that to be a passive mentality – play it safe, rather than ‘go for broke’. And it is a behaviour that is more common in Guinness PRO14 and Northern Hemisphere teams. To play the long game.
Just spoke to a gutted Joey Carbery who says he knew time was up and he just wanted to make sure Ireland came away with a losing bonus point, so he kicked the ball out.
Can’t argue with that.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) September 28, 2019
Can’t argue with that…..actually though, there is an argument that if you wished for the best pathway towards the first Rugby World Cup title for Ireland, you go for the win.
No team has ever suffered a loss in Pool play and gone on to win the Wolrd Cup. Now Ireland, besides South Africa, will have to change history, if they want to become World Champions.
A losing bonus-point maybe some conciliation but, the dejected feeling that traveling Irish fans may now feel has to be considered by the team and management. After the game, Joe Schmidt was benevolent in his gratefulness of the losing bonus-point (BP). “Potentially the bonus point could be really important,” said Schmidt.
“It means that we’ve got six points from our two pool games so far, Japan have got nine and Samoa have got five. So they’re the ones who’ve got points so far and you’ve got to finish in the top two.”
Ireland’s chances at topping Pool A now under threat
True, two matches left to play for both teams means the Pool standings are not yet assured. Scotland are still to play their second game, and results might go the way of Ireland in the last pool games. Japan may lose both of their next two games – after putting in so much effort to date. Many think rightly, Joey Carbery considered the long game.
Yet it is a passive mentality where your own destiny is now, not in your control. And a mentality that many Southern Hemisphere teams, would not allow themselves to be in. Hardly a consideration for the All Blacks, or for the majority of Super Rugby sides in fact.
That is not a derision against every PRO14 team. Nothing against Premiership or French rugby clubs either. They very often snatch victory from the jaws of defeat – in fact, Carbery at Munster, and now with Champions Cup winners Leinster is more than capable of ‘clutch’ outcomes. The flyhalf has a great attacking mindset, it is just on the grandest stage of them all, his passive choice is under attack.
What the hell was Joey Carbery doing at the end? #RWC2019 #JAPvIRE
— Rhys James Batt (@rhysbatt) September 28, 2019
'I couldn't fathom Carbery's decision to kick'
Denis Hickie questions Ireland fly half Joey Carbery's decision to kick the ball away in the final passage of play against Japan. 🏉
More details 👇 https://t.co/o9p6tzORzC#BBCrugby #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/iI8ugCZriz
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) September 28, 2019
Radio programs and newspapers are now stacked full of opinions. The one comment that does point to a lack of self-confidence; in Ireland’s ability to earn more than just a losing bonus-point [a draw earns two points, a BP earns only one] is below.
Joey Carbery kicking the ball dead after the gong, and confirming the Irish stereotype.#JPNvIRE
— Julian (@MrBlodwen71) September 28, 2019
Some support for ‘only logical option’
This reporter would be remiss if we did not look at the reverse side of the argument. Plenty of fans, pundits and commentators have supported the option.
People are bagging Joey Carbery for kicking the ball out at the end, they had a bonus point, they were out on their feet, Japan were energised and the Irish had to go 95m to score. In that group bonus points will be crucial and they could have easily lost theirs in forcing it.
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 28, 2019
Joey Carbery bang on kicking it out on the final whistle. Extremely unlikely to go 100 metres and score a converted try, which would only have gained them one more point, and very easy to give Japan the chance to nick a breakaway try or penalty to take the losing BP away.
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) September 28, 2019
Joey Carbery did the right thing. We weren't going to go up the field and get a try and the greater risk was conceding another try. It might look defeatest but it was a case of take what you have.
— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) September 28, 2019
It may have been a logical option. Knowing that time was up [Carbery may have even heard the referee say ‘last stoppage ends the game’] a kick for touch ends the match. Not even a quick lineout; where Japan could have attacked the Irish line, was able to be taken, as Carbery chased his own kick. As well, he could have kicked the ball into his dead ball area – options that were more passive, than aggressive.
Still, rugby observers will confirm; they banked the losing bonus-point, learn their lesson.
Ireland team “Bank’ the Losing Bonus-point
Yes they earned a losing bonus-point, but players will feel they failed in the end naturally.
By ending the agony, Carbery helped save his teams energy for two further pool games. And he ended the ignominy early. Although, such passive thinking by that player means he is now associated with another shock Japan win over a Tier One nation. Like the Springboks players in 2015, it is on record that the Irish team will not enjoy.
If that was not motivation enough to win [or draw at least], for players to run the ball to the final whistle, then it comes down to habit. Unlike Southern Hemisphere teams, who are programmed to attack for 80 minutes, the logical choice was a losing BP.
More so over such long seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, bonus-points count. And too here in the World Cup, it does count for much. Japan won three games in 2015, but lost their quarterfinals place due to a points difference to other pool teams. Now in 2019, Ireland are hopeful that in the final calculations, a losing bonus-point against Japan might assist them to progress further.
Otherwise, the ‘passive option’ taken by Joey Carbery may be rued for years to come.
“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images
