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What will it take for Carbery to reach the next level?

Tonight's Heineken Rugby Club Roadshow in Garryowen saw local heroes take to the stage as David W...



Videos

What will it take for Carbery to reach the next level?

Tonight's Heineken Rugby Club Roadshow in Garryowen saw local heroes take to the stage as David Wallace joined Eddie O'Sullivan and Tony Ward.

The former Ireland Grand Slam winner shared his thoughts on Munster's Joey Carbery. The former Leinster out-half has been in good form of late, half a season into his time at the rival province.

"ROG would always say, it's the most difficult position in terms of the mental side of things," he said.

"The mental side of it is really tough in terms of being under pressure and having to make decisions. Now, he's in a great position and he's got Conor Murray inside him and Rory Scannell outside him who's almost like a second out-half there.

"He's not a ROG yet"

"So they have guys who can control the game. But for me, I think when I heard he was coming, I thought he's going to make line-breaks!"

Wallace added, "I know [Carbery] has a bit to go but in terms of where he is this season, what I've seen in terms of controlling the game I've been really pleased. He's had some beautiful shots into the corner, ROG-esque kind of kicks.

Ward agreed that "he still has a bit to go" to get to Ronan O'Gara levels.

"I thought last weekend in Gloucester, Munster were phenomenal. It was the most complete Munster performance probably for the best part of a decade, since David [Wallace] and that team were winning silverware," he said.

"I think Joey's still learning in terms of the game. He's not a ROG yet and he can't become one until he gets the experience and the game-time.

Journey

"But he's getting that. Without doubt he's the No 1 [out-half at Munster]. I just love his style of play. He's just got all the bits and pieces and he's one of those players, you just don't want him on the sideline. I think he gives you something else as well."

O'Sullivan sees Carbery's progression as a "journey".

"You have to play. You have to play under pressure," said the former Ireland head coach.

"He's making improvements. But the problem and it happens with young players, is they have a good performance and then we rocket the expectation up around them. And we think they've arrived. He may not have a great game the next week but he'll learn from it. People aren't that patient. They expect the same performance week in, week out. He's on a journey as a fly-half. They've all been on journeys.  Johnny [Sexton] was on a journey, ROG was on a journey. They all had to find their way. We should be more patient with these guys.

"He got a lot of flak after the Castres game. But he came back and bounced back. He hasn't missed a kick since. But that's part of making him who he's going to be."

 

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David Wallace Eddie O'Sullivan Garryowen Heineken Rugby Club Ireland Joey Carbery Munster Off The Ball Roadshow Rugby Sport Tony Ward