LONDON IRISH director of rugby Brian Smith has blasted Declan Kidney and the Ireland management team for their treatment of Tomas O'Leary.
O'Leary was surprisingly left out of the squad for last year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Kidney opted for Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss and Conor Murray. O'Leary appeared to pay the price for a below-par performance in the defeat to France just before the tournament.
The 28-year-old was heavily criticised for giving away a soft try by throwing an intercept pass to Francois Trinh-Duc, which helped the French to a 26-22 win. Yet, Smith believes O'Leary was treated unfairly.
Smith said: "Tomas O'Leary was hung out to dry. He was a starting player for Ireland and they came under a bit of pressure in the warm-up games for the World Cup.
"He threw an intercept pass in a game that didn't go well for Ireland and he was hung out to dry. O'Leary has never stopped being a brilliant player.
"He was hung out to dry and the fact that he was a bit of a scapegoat is something that he can't control. In my opinion, looking at it as a neutral observer, I felt that Tomas probably got a pretty bad deal."
O'Leary was restricted to nine starts for Munster last season, with Conor Murray preferred at scrum-half.
He was omitted from this year's Six Nations squad, but was called in as a replacement for two games for the injured Murray.
O'Leary has committed to London Irish for three seasons.
"Tomas has got a wonderful opportunity here," added Smith. He's come over here with his fiancee and it's an opportunity for him to maybe smell the roses and live a different life with the things that are on offer from the London type of lifestyle.
"But he understands that there's big responsibility in coming here in terms of delivering. I've coached against him at international level. I know that he's a quality player and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he forces his way back into the international set-up.
"With the change of scene and the change of environment, we're certainly looking to bring out the best in Tomas and we recognise as coaches that that's our responsibility."
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Well im all for blasting under achieving management teams but this is a bit I'll advised to say the least!
TOL has never ever been a brilliant player. Seems this guy needs to watch more rugby and do less moaning.
We are all well aware of TOL's pluses and minuses. Notably a mighty defender. However, as a SH he has a PONDEROUS, SLOW, WEAK HOSPITAL pass! ROG made him look better than he is in munster because munster play a kicking game and ROG was good enough to clean up TOL's ridicules passes.
His box kicking is erratic at best but has gotten better. He has no head for pressure, or perhaps thats just that he is not good enough to play in the truly high pressure games. I don't know.
THis fella above seems to think TOL has been mistreated because of one pass against the french!!! NO NO NO Mr Smith! That was the last straw to break the donkeys bloody back!
TO mr smith i say this. Stop blowing smoke up people back sides (TOL's to be exact) This is some brain dead class of management style if he thinks hes going to step in, in some sort of big brother, father figure role for TOL and smite them who poopooed poor Tomas. He let us down far to many times for us to buy that bag of brown stuff mr Smith. Take a hike mate!
Rant over. Sorry folks
Brian Smith blasts Declan Kidney
posted on 10/7/12
I think I remember you or Taras putting it more simply that "O'Leary should never be allowed near an Irish rugby jersey ever again" after the last Six Nations game!
posted on 10/7/12
Don't think i said that one mate, but find it hard to argue! Tho its fair to say, that if he gets better, (not impossible) i would not have a problem with him coming back. But he wont get better will he? he's had his chances, and understudy the the great peter stringer done him no good! Smith is talking out of his a.r.s.e Just a tactic to try and give TOL more confidence. Don't matter how confident he is tho. He still doesn't have the skill set to be a SH Plain and simple.
posted on 10/7/12
Hey SARS, i dont know much about this guy Smith. What his deal? is he good at his job? this tactic is reminiscent José Mourinho, Provoking and sticking the finger in the eye.
Or is Smith just a dumb as a bag of hammers? he would have to be if he believes all those superlatives he bestowed on Tomas!
posted on 10/7/12
I don't really know much about him, London Irish had a great year 2 or 3 years back, but seem to lose their way last year, and with Mike Catt having seemingly gone for an England coaching role it sounds like there's a lot of change and this guy is trying to make his mark - or maybe he fancies Andy Farrell's old job at Saracens and is trying to get himself noticed!