Jared Payne, eh? Who was expecting that.
He may have been in our British & Irish Lions squad but he was in hardly anyone else’s.
As it transpired, though, Payne was in Warren Gatland’s squad and that’s all that counts.
As if we ever doubted him. The man may have battled through a slew of injuries over the last 18 months but when he plays, Ireland are the better for it.
Jared Payne's importance to Ireland should not be underestimated, writes @conandoherty https://t.co/gcpOawXKVc
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 8, 2016
Gatland admitted that the midfield debate was the toughest one him and his coaching staff engaged in before finalising on a squad. But while the final call appeared to be between Garry Ringrose and Ben Te’o, who got the nod, Payne had the backing of Gatland and defence coach Andy Farrell.
Gatland told Sky Sports News:
“You look back at someone like Jared Payne. He has been unfortunate with injuries but he’s played in some games with Ireland and some pretty significant games. His record against the southern hemisphere teams has been very impressive.”
It certainly has. Here is how Payne has fared against the southern hemisphere’s big three:
AUSTRALIA: Played 1, Won 1
NEW ZEALAND: Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1
SOUTH AFRICA: Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1
To the un-initiated, Farrell got them up to speed with the player the Lions had selected. He told reporters:
“Back in Ireland, we all know how important he is to galvanising a backline together and how he’s able to perform in big games is super important to a squad like this.”
Ringrose calls Payne Ireland’s defensive captain and a guy whom he looks up to and learns from each and every time they train and play together.
His importance to Ireland’s cause was evident in two of their recent big triumphs. His skip pass in the lead-up to Ireland’s final try was a piece of art:
And he stepped forward as Ireland’s second play-maker in many of their set-plays during the Six Nations finalé win over England.
The fact that he can cover both midfield berths and fullback, where he is even better, also went in his favour. It is a smart decision by Gatland and it will be interesting to see if he can get into the Test mix.
“It’s going to be pretty tough,” Payne said today.
Luckily for the Lions, they picked a tough one themselves.
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