Murray eyes starting position
The inclusion of 22-year-old Conor Murray at the expense of Tomás O’Leary was one of Declan Kidney’s boldest World Cup selection calls.
Having only made his international debut in Bordeaux less than a month ago, Murray was surprised to get the vote of confidence, but now that he’s part of the squad he is determined to push for a starting position.
"When I found out I was going, I was at home and the lads I live with were shaking me to get me excited, but since we've landed here it's really hit home," Murray told reporters in Queenstown today.
"I don't want to be a passenger, not just here on holiday or whatever, I really want to try and get on the pitch and contribute to a huge effort to win.
Eoin Reddan and Jonathan Sexton look favourites to be Kidney’s starting half-back pairing, but Murray believes he has developed an effective partnership with his childhood hero and Munster teammate Ronan O’Gara.
"Even when I started training with Munster it was pretty daunting, but as soon as I'd had a few games with him (O’Gara) it was great, you feel a bit more confident with him outside you.
Murray’s Irish teammate Tommy Bowe, who only featured in Ireland’s final warm-up game against England, believes the team’s track record of Triple Crown victories and the 2009 Grand Slam proves Ireland’s ability to deliver on the big stage, which is more important than the recent friendly defeats.
"I think they're going to be there in the back of your head (the defeats), but if we get off to a good start against the USA next week we can put that well and truly behind us," Bowe said.
"We've won a grand slam, won countless triple crowns, but the big one now for a lot of the senior players here is to be in a successful Irish team, this is the one that we really want to add.
