There will be more than Munster fans quietly pleased for Simon Zebo. What he represents and often delivers feeds into the better instincts of those who value individuality, not as a conceit but an asset.
Perhaps misjudged as a streaky player, he believes it has been his consistency that has earned Joe Schmidt’s approval. Last year he played in nine straight Tests for Ireland.
Schmidt has instilled into his players that the flash try or the lone standout tackle doesn’t cut it over 80 minutes, and that job descriptions come with more weighty responsibility than a catchy celebration after dotting down.
The suspicion is that Schmidt likes evenness in performance of his players or at least a level they will never fall below. But with Zebo's full back credentials, the Scotland game may have gotten him into the World Cup squad.
‘Just consistency’
“I don’t think so. I think it’s just consistency. When I came on against Wales I thought I did well, set up Felix [Jones]well, dotted down well then just had a few good carries,” he says. “Then I just went out to do the same thing against Scotland, and I’ve just kept on building my momentum because I’ve been going really well in training, doing the same things I’ve been doing in the matches in training.
“So I’ve just had to transfer it onto the pitch and I did that. But I don’t think it’s just one game that’s got me onto the plane. I think it’s the last eight or nine weeks of working hard.”
Zebo has been playing at international level since Ireland’s tour to New Zealand in the summer of 2012, and while he has added to his game, his instinct is to add to the add-ons.
Donkey work
Staying still is not an option and performing the donkey work with no fizz or verve he can do. It's just that he occasionally doesn't wish to do it that way. Uncontaminated by the fear of failing, it's the way Zebo maybe ought to think and what Schmidt should encourage. In a game where conservative plays are not only easily analysed and negated, x-factor still holds sway. Ian Madigan has it, Neil Henderson too and a confident, fit Luke Fitzgerald.
“I just focus on every game, do what the coaches ask of me and try to put my own touches on the performance,” he says. “Overall, I’ve probably improved and I’ll probably keep improving until I’m 28 or 29, at my peak. Every player wants to get better week on week and game on game. I just have to keep doing that.
“Back then [first caps]I was probably just really happy and excited to be involved with the Ireland set-up. It was my first time there. Now, I’ve probably evolved into just being a lot more comfortable and expressive in the way I play, not having any fear about the consequences, I suppose. It’s exciting because that’s when I play my best rugby, when I’m fearless and excited.”
He could have slipped away from the bosom of the fans with his controversial past, but his play book is there to see, from the heel flick and try against Wales in 2013 to his perfectly timed run onto a long punt in Ireland’s game against Australia last year.
Being able to find the field positions at the right time to challenge defences is what makes him dangerous in an entirely different way to the threat of non-travelling Andrew Trimble or Tommy Bowe.
“I love being able to come in and get my hands on the ball as much as possible and affect the game in a positive way,” he says. “I think it just depends on the game, really.
“Say in the Six Nations we were using a lot of kick, so I wouldn’t be able to do it as much. I’d have to stay out and chase or carry the ball on the edges. But these warm-up games have been a lot more expansive, less kicking for territory and things like that.
“It’s been easier to go out and express yourself and get your hands on the ball. Whichever way a game is going, if we need to do that I’ll get in and hopefully do my thing. If it’s not, I’ll stay out and help my team on kick chase.”
Those are words that should warm Schmidt’s ears.
