Joe Schmidt would have known this was coming.
Jacob Stockdale had just ripped in two tries against Argentina to make it four scores in his first four matches as an Ireland player. Added to that was an impressive kick-chase and defensive performance to go with the one he delivered against South Africa.
Back in June it was a case of, let’s see how this young lad goes. Five months later and the No.11 jersey is firmly in the 21-year-old’s possession.
Ahead of the November internationals, Ulster and Ireland legend Stephen Ferris told The Hard Yards, “Jacob Stockdale has all the attributes to be one of the best wingers in the world.”
Against the Springboks and the Pumas, Stockdale backed those words up and has fans, teammates and pundits excited. It will be Schmidt’s job, and the job of Les Kiss & Co. at Ulster, to try keep the lad as grounded as possible in the coming months.
Asked if Stockdale was on a fast-track to be a Test rugby “superstar”, Schmidt played his hand well and was the only person in the room refusing to be carried away. He commented:
“Jacob is a kid who’s learning fast and willing to learn. He’s got some great athleticism, very big power and he’s a young lad. He finished that second try really impressively, because it wasn’t just the flat line, it was the fact he could arc around someone as impressive as [Joaquín] Tuculet.
“So there were some impressive aspects but at the same time he was a little bit hesitant defensively at times, and trying to win the aerial battles were a battle for him.
“He’ll get some real confidence from it I hope, but also he’ll get motivation to try to improve on what he delivered tonight.”
With Schmidt, there are always work-ons to… work on.
What an absolute, absolute, absolute star https://t.co/TMYRqSJKgJ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 25, 2017
The reporters in the post-match press briefing were not letting Schmidt away with it that easily. Pressed again on the pure potential of the Ulster winger, Schmidt opted to heap praise on Darren Sweetnam, who was not even in the matchday 23.
“I’m delighted that he’s had the chance in Japan and the way he’s building,” the coach began.
“It’s a position where he’s a natural left-footer, he put in a great left-foot kick early in the second-half to carve up a bit of territory, and I think there are many aspects of his game that can help us, so it’s a position that we cast the net.
“I thought Darren Sweetnam did really well last week: his run down the touchline where he bashed through a few men. And his late entry into South Africa where he managed to get to a Joey Carbery crossfield kick that really contributed to the Stockdale try on the other side of the pitch.
“So that’s what we want, we want people working for each other, so that others get opportunity.”
Not satisfied with Schmidt’s for their headlines and copy, the reporters then asked Ireland captain Rory Best about Stockdale and got the desired response.
“If he keeps learning and stays grounded, there’s a bright future for him, in a tough position,” said Best. “There’s no doubt he’s done really, really well.”
Bingo.
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