Jonathan Sexton, injured and forfeited against the XV of France, it is Joey Carbery who will try to fuel the game of Ireland this Saturday at the Stade de France. Zoom on the successor to the legend of the Clover.
Joey Carbery will enter the deep end at the age of 26, at the Stade de France. The Munster fly-half will experience his first tenure in the Six Nations Tournament, following the injury to Jonathan Sexton. Leinster’s historic opener is hit in the hamstrings and had to forfeit the match against the Blues. An embarrassment which should keep him away from the field for ten days, according to his coach Andy Farrell.
As in football, the number 10 is one of the key players in the team, the one who creates the game, the blaster. The XV of France has two gems at the opening with Romain Ntamack and Matthieu Jalibert – to name a few. England are counting on their nugget Marcus Smith to compete with Owen Farrell and George Ford. Ireland have a New Zealand native to replace their legend, Jonny Sexton.
Atypical course
Joey Carbery is one of many players in the Ireland squad to have New Zealand roots, which often helps in rugby. Against the France team, they will be three holders to be born on the other side of the globe. Joey Carbery, was born not far from Auckland, the most populous city in the country, just like the three-quarter center Bundee Aki. Scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park was born on the island of the Great Barrier and has already played for the Maori All Blacks. For a hinge 100% of New Zealand origin to challenge Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
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Born to Irish parents, but a father from New Zealand, Joey Carbery lived on the island until he was eleven years old, before flying to Athy, a small town in the heart of Ireland in the province of Leinster. In 2014, he and his high school, Blackrock College, won the Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup, a prestigious trophy contested between the various high schools in the region. Trained in one of the most important clubs in the country, he played his first professional match on March 18, 2016.
During the following season, in 2016-2017, Joey Carbery won at the start of the season, by chaining the first three matches. But the opener faces competition from Jonathan Sexton, and will quickly take his place on the bench. He still participated in 26 matches during this season, including 17 as a starter. Formed at the opening, the native of Auckland helps out regularly at the back. At the end of the season, Sexton and Carbery started several matches together. It is then the youngest who slips to the back, leaving the 10th to his eldest.
A first full season with Leinster which logically brings it to the XV of Clover. He celebrated his first selection on November 5, 2016 in Chicago, a few days after his 21st birthday, in a 40-29 victory over… New Zealand. Already then, he replaced Jonathan Sexton on the hour mark.Joey showed no fear [lors de cette première sélection, NDLR] because Joey knew no fear“, explained at the time Enda McNulty, psychologist of the Irish team.
Route of a player hampered by injuries
Only, the career of Joey Carbery has not been a long calm river. Very regularly hampered by injuries, he has not played twelve or more matches in a season since 2018-2019, and his first year at Munster, the other Irish province he joined in the summer of 2018 At Leinster, the New Zealand-born player had become either a substitute or a full-back. Twelve starts in 24 matches during the 2017-2018 season, but only one match started at the opening with his province.
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In Munster, Joey Carbery revives. He scored six tries in fifteen games in his first season, and a total of 154 points, he who is the club’s number one scorer. For six games with 15 points or more in the season. A convincing 2018-2019 before a blank year. Only six matches played in 2019-2020, including three in the World Cup with Ireland.
Joey Carbery will then spend nearly 14 months without playing a single match. The Irishman is absent from the field between January 3, 2020 and February 26, 2021. The player has had various ankle injuries, with complications, before suffering wrist pain. “It was quite difficult. Obviously it’s not good to be injured, but I’m pretty lucky to have such a good team of doctors. I would love to be on the pitch, but it’s been a good start to the season so far. It’s never nice to be hurt, but I hope things will change soon “Explained the player on the Munster site in early 2021, shortly before playing again.
He finally played eleven matches between his province and the national team at the end of the 2021 season. This season, the opening half has already played eight games: four in club and four in selection. At 26, Joey Carbery will know his 29th selection but only his tenth tenure with the XV of Clover. This is the first time he will start in the 6 Nations Tournament this Saturday against France. ” Of course, I’ve already participated in a few Six Nations campaigns, but I can’t wait to start. I actually feel very confident because we do a lot of rotations in training, so when I was told to stay (because I was going to start Saturday’s game) I was excited. “said the player at a press conference.
A first tenure that almost never saw the light of day. The number 10 of Munster was – again – injured, his elbow this time, against London Wasps on December 12 in the Champions Cup. He came off in the 72nd minute. An express return to the field, therefore for the player, who returned against Wales on February 5. ” Joey has kept his fitness since the second week after his elbow injury, so he is very sharp“said Andy Farrell, his coach.
And his style of play?
An Irish style of play for Joey Carbery. And his coach assures him, the game plan of the XV of Clover will not change in the absence of Jonathan Sexton. Ireland is above all a group that works together. “It’s not just about Joey Carbery and it’s not just about whether he can handle a big game at the Stade de France. It’s about us as a group and as a team. Andy Farrell also says that his team can still raise their level of play and be better without their captain and usual opener. ” It’s also a big development for us as a team and we still expect to be at our best in Paris on Saturday. Joey will also be a leader in himself. We expect everyone to mobilize. »
In line with Ronan O’Gara and Jonny Sexton – more than 2,500 career points each – Joey Carbery is also an excellent scorer. One ” class player “as explained by Johann van Grann, a young 41-year-old coach at the head of the Munster team since 2017. On October 16, Joey Carbery thus passed a transformation in the 79th minute against Connacht, allowing his team to win 20 to 18. Precise footwork and coolness for the one who extended with his province until 2024. What to see the future serenely and hope to find France in the fall of 2023, this time -here in the skin of the indisputable opener of the Clover.
