Simon Zebo is adamant that he never felt left out of the Ireland squad and said his sole focus when playing for Ireland against Australia on Saturday is to get the win.
The Munster player was speaking after today’s team announcement, where he was one of only two players to retain their place in the starting 15 after last weekend’s win over Georgia, so starting in all three games of the series.
He refuted the suggestion that he had been ‘left out in the cold’ when not chosen as part of the Ireland squad for last year’s November test series.
“To be honest, I wouldn’t say I was left out in the cold. I broke my foot and was out for four months and I wouldn’t expect to jump back into any side like that.”
Zebo was also asked would he be thinking about playing his way into a starting position in next year’s Six Nations tournament.
“No, I wouldn’t say so at all,” he answered. “This game ahead of us is massively important and we all know what we need to do as a squad.”
“The Six Nations will take care of itself, that’s not really a concern at the moment, all we’re thinking about is putting in a massive performance against Australia.”
The Munster winger said he was enjoying working with both his national and provincial coaches to improve his performances.
“I’m just focusing on the smaller details of my game,” he said. “Joe’s been great and Axel(Anthony Foley) has been great. They’ve really made me see another side to the game and that’s helped my all-round performance.”
“I’ve just got to relish every chance I get and keep trying to perform for the squad.”
Zebo said it was a fantastic experience to be starting in such a big game: “The big games are the ones you want to play in, the best players play in them and everyone is vying to play well.”
None of the team are taking a win for granted, and although he admitted he would love to play a big role, the most important thing for the players is to get a result.
“We just need to put in a big performance to get the win, this is certainly a big test and we’ll have to be firing from the start to get the win.”
He laughed when asked was he hoping for an open type of match.
“I’m looking forward to any type of a game as long as we get the win!” he answered. “But yeah, it would obviously be nice as a winger to get a few touches and help the team if that’s the way the game’s going.
“But if the game is wet and rainy and greasy like it was against South Africa, if all I’m doing is kick-chase, myself and Tommy, we’ll be more than happy as long as we get the win.
“Whatever the game plan is, we know we’re going to have to be accurate and fully nailed in our detail to come away with this one because they are a very tough side.”