In his 15th Test match for Ireland, Jared Payne will get to wear No.15 for the first time. It’s about time too.
The Ulster fullback – because that’s where he does his best work – will start in Ireland’s back three at Newlands Stadium, on Saturday.
Joe Schmidt bowed to the inevitability that injuries often bring and selected the 30-year-old to start at fullback. Not quite on the same level as opposite number Willie Le Roux but a very dangerous runner and an intelligent player.
Payne’s arrival into the Irish team was highly anticipated. He had lit it up for a fine Ulster side in the two seasons after injury ruined his first in Ireland. Finally, many of us thought, some competition for Rob Kearney.
Instead, Schmidt paired him with Robbie Henshaw and asked them to make it work. They shored up Ireland’s defence but found it as tough as could be expected to replace Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll.
Payne copped a lot of flak seemingly playing within himself – some would harshly say not playing at all – but his defensive organisation was undoubted. He gave us glimpses of his attacking talents against Scotland and Italy but he was not playing his natural game. Like a good lieutenant, he was following his orders first.
The issue many fans took with Payne was that he had so few stand-out moments in the game. He may be well regarded by his teammates but he was seen as more of a facilitator than a weapon. That might do for a lock or openside but Payne was the man handed that No.13 jersey made famous by Mike Gibson and Brian O’Driscoll.
Now, by injuries rather than design, Payne has shifted back to 15. He has the nous to spot and punish flaws from fullback and the ability to bring teammates into the game. He is assured under the high ball and has a decent boot.
It is a good call by Schmidt on a day when he came in for questioning by irate Connacht fans.
Put yer feet up champs, the other boys have got this… 😁 https://t.co/gR27Tl3w76
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 9, 2016
The one Connacht player in the starting XV is Henshaw and he is mere days away from being on Leinster’s pay-roll. Shifting the 22-year-old to outside centre and placing him alongside Luke Marshall, who has formed a good partnership with Paddy Jackson over the years, also makes sense.
Henshaw was so fantastic against Leinster in the PRO12 final that it felt like something: A coming of age as a player. On the verge of being rightfully called world-class.
We would have gone with the more thrilling option of Stuart Olding in midfield but hopefully his time comes, and not after we cop two beatings.
The South Africans will be itching to take runs at Jackson and Marshall on Saturday. Both have added timber in recent years but they will be bringing knives to a Cape Town bazooka fight. It makes the non-selection of Stuart McCloskey all the more baffling but perhaps there is more to his extended summer holidays than we are fully aware.
The disappointment comes in the form of Connacht having such little representation in the match-day 23. Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane and Kieran Marmion are the relatively lucky ones as they make the bench. Tiernan O’Halloran, Matt Healy and Quinn Roux miss out.
There is a strong argument that Healy could have replaced Earls or Trimble but both have benefitted from Schmidt’s generosity. Dillane and Iain Henderson in the second row would have been a frightening duo. However, what about this second and back row: Toner, Dillane, Henderson, Stander, Heaslip.
For now, Schmidt has faith in the bank.
Saturday will see if he emerges with much change.
