Over the past 12 months, there is clear evidence that Simon Zebo is one of the first names on Joe Schmidt’s team sheet.
Before this time there was a perception in the Irish rugby spectrum, that Zebo didn’t fit into Schmidt’s plans for Ireland.
The Ireland head coach likes his wingers to be strong, physical, good in the air and astute defensively. Zebo was often seen as a luxury or flair player, someone who didn’t fulfill the aforementioned attributes.
As we all know, there is not much substance left in that argument anymore.
Anyone who has seen Zebo play for Munster or Ireland over the past year can see the remarkable improvements in his game. He may not look like one of the most physically imposing wingers but he can certainly put in massive hits, often in try-saving circumstances.
It is clear that Schmidt trusts in this player, which is represented by his selection for Ireland when he has been fit over the past 12 months. Zebo missed the France game in the Six Nations last year through injury, likewise with the summer tour to South Africa, otherwise, he is on the team sheet.
Now, Zebo is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career and he puts this down to the influence of the new Munster coaching duo of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber.
“They’ve been massive (Erasmus and Nienaber). They’ve probably influenced me most I’d say in such a short space of time,” he says. “They haven’t pushed anything. They’ve given me a different kind of, I don’t know, confidence or something, not that I needed it,” Zebo tells The Irish Times.
Zebo is clearly someone who thrives on playing on instinct. It is perhaps one of the attributes which separates him from many other players in not only Munster, but Ireland. However, in the rough and tumble of international Test rugby, perhaps this is not encouraged as much due to the fine margins in which games can be decided.
For the 26-year-old however, there seems to be less pressure on him when playing for Munster and he reveals a bit of insight into the South African duo’s coaching philosophy.
“Like if you make a mistake ‘no problem’. I probably haven’t heard that too much in my career, when I was coming up. I don’t know whether it’s where they are from. They’ve just been excellent in allowing me to play with no fear whatsoever.
Obviously, the position in which Zebo plays has an influence on the amount of times he can go with his gut instinct, he would have more opportunity to do so from the full-back position as opposed to playing on the wing.
Nevertheless, whatever position Zebo is chosen to play for Ireland against Scotland on Saturday, you know he will bring that element of ‘no fear rugby’ to the fore.
In what is expected to be a tough Scottish defence on display in Murrayfield, this can only benefit Ireland’s chances.
