With their new-found confidence, Ireland must continue to push the boundaries between the kicking and running game, writes LIAM TOLAND

A WEEK on and we’ve all had time to review the Kicking Series. The odds being stacked in the defences favour is the well-touted excuse. This, however, is too simplistic an explanation of the evolvement of rugby union. Our cousins in league have always valued the importance of defence, hence their involvement in our game. Add in the role of both the defending team at the breakdown, and then the referee and you can understand why coaches are forced into a kicking game.

Try counts are down in all competitions. But again this should not be the barometer to our game. Five-pointers should not be allowed to dictate the rule book. TV executives will no doubt sweat the IRB into a more free-flowing game that will enhance ratings. Again this would be an error. The new breakdown rules can’t be blamed for the kicking game as way back in 2007 South Africa won the World Cup based on little else.

Likewise, defence is not the problem. Leinster beat Harlequins back in April by one point. Leinster failed to score a try but held Harlequins out when it mattered. All the same they went on to beat Munster in the semi-final by three tries to none. Finally, they shared tries against Leicester in the final and won by kicking points. My point: Leinster were able to adapt to the opposition on three given days. Last weekend South Africa were not.

In Croke Park, Ireland displayed their ability to play positively and run from deep, an evolvement from Six Nations ’09. This requires a lot of work from the ball-carrier but the support runner must be very skilled on contact. Heinrich Brüssow and his ilk have put the fear of God into coaches and full marks to the Irish management for backing their players and delivering a balance between kicking and running.

It’s comforting when your secondrows are ferocious. The easy solution is always to return any kick with interest which crucially takes any self-inflicted error out of the game. It is significant to track the development of the Irish team over the months since the new management has arrived. With this new-found confidence, Ireland must continue to push the boundaries between kicking and running.

Where do Ireland go from here?

Judging from the three performances over the Autumn, the management are encouraging the players into playing our natural game. The players too have bought into the style. Let’s peel back a little and look at the IRB statistical analysis from Six Nations ’09. Although winning the Grand Slam, Ireland were the lowest both in number of passes and rate of passing and very few Irish phases contained more than three offloads.

Of all the six teams, the Irish forwards were the least likely to pass the ball in the Six Nations campaign. The backrow only passed the ball on 13 per cent of occasions – compared to the other five teams who passed at over twice that rate.

Clearly, back-to-back Grand Slams must be a legitimate target. However welcome another trophy would be, RWC 2011 must remain the priority and with it the development of the game plan. Ireland play New Zealand home and away next year. Firstly, they are away in June and then at home in the AVIVA Stadium next November. Of the Northern Hemisphere teams, France represent the best challenge to the All Blacks. So what can we learn from their style that will give us a greater chance?

That process can begin with what we saw in Croke Park with our forwards carrying and passing the ball more often to each other down narrow channels. Marry this with being among the highest rucking and kicking team with the most successful ruck retention of the Six Nations and we have something special.

They were turned over only seven times in almost 500 rucks and mauls, a ratio far better than any other team. But they passed far less than any other team. So here is a target for improvement.

England managed it pre-RWC 2003 and Ireland need to become that side; they need that elusive victory over the All Blacks. In order for that to happen the curve must continue involving backs with forwards.

The scrum is an obvious area for improvement but they also need to develop their “final third” play as they have serious ball-carriers throughout the side. The bravery displayed close to the Springboks’ line was commendable as was O’Driscoll’s incredible try against England this year but the team can now offer much more. By June they should have even more to threaten the All Blacks.

So now to the individual players of the Autumn Series? Obviously Jonny Sexton, Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien have excelled but I think Jamie Heaslip is now positioned when called for to take over from Brian O’Driscoll.

His athleticism, pace, ball-carrying, natural change of angles, defence, overall work-rate and passion make him crucial to Ireland’s future. He was superb against the massive physical test last Saturday.

Clearly, Ronan O’Gara’s new-found competition can only help him. One would assume that the battle resides exclusively between himself and Sexton. But the coming months will bring more competition in Munster. Paul Warwick has proved he is very comfortable at full back but will Tony McGahan be tempted to reshuffle his backline? Interestingly both Warwick and Sexton are good ball-carriers attacking the gain line. In O’Gara’s bounce back, will he adopt a more physical role at 10, drifting away from his highly successful natural game?

Finally, there’s no doubt in my mind that the greatest openside in world rugby captains New Zealand. But Ireland would not have remained unbeaten, winning the Grand Slam and Leinster the European Cup had it not been for Brian O’Driscoll. He remains the most significant player in world rugby where he leads, defends and carries without peer.