Zebo knew he was fullback 'when team was announced'

Munster winger Simon Zebo has revealed that he didn't know he was going to play at fullback for Ireland, a position he has never played before, until a couple of days before the South Africa game.

Zebo knew he was fullback 'when team was announced'

Munster winger Simon Zebo has revealed that he didn't know he was going to play at fullback for Ireland, a position he has never played before, until a couple of days before the South Africa game.

Injury-hit Ireland were beaten 16-12 by South Africa in their Guinness Series opener, a result that raises the stakes yet higher for their critical showdown with Argentina in two weeks.

Asked when did he know he was going to play fullback, Zebo said: "It wasn't really set in stone last week, I was slotting in and out with Tommy (Bowe) and Earlsy (Keith Earls) at one stage, but it was just towards the end of the week that I got an idea I was playing 15, which was something new.

"I suppose when the team was officially announced there was that bit of excitement."

However, Zebo insists there was no problem for him playing in that position.

He said: "I would be a confident enough player anyway, I wouldn't worry about playing 15 or outhalf, as long as I was wearing the Ireland shirt I was happy.

The Springboks tested him early in the game with some high balls which didn't seem to faze the Munster player.

"I was just looking for my first touch of the ball as soon as the whistle blew and thankfully it came straight away. As soon as I took the high ball I felt comfortable."

While Fiji are the next opponents in Saturday’s non-cap international at Thomond Park, it is the showdown with Argentina on November 24 that will dominate the management’s thinking.

At stake are ranking points crucial to next month’s draw for the 2015 World Cup with defeat to the Pumas, convincing winners against Wales on Saturday, potentially dropping Ireland into the third tier of seeds.

A pool featuring New Zealand and France would plunge Lansdowne Road into despair, but Zebo is confident that such a scenario will be avoided.

“If we’d been battered by South Africa and lost the game with no chance of winning then you could say something and we’d be feeling sorry for ourselves,” Zebo said.

“But the fact is we had a great first half and were in touching distance throughout the whole game.

“If we were not making chances to score and win we’d be saying something. But the fact is we did, we just didn’t take them.

“That was just a little rustiness and hopefully we can remedy that in the next couple of weeks.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Joe McCarthy 25/3/2024 Cullen names raft of international returnees in side to face Bulls
Jake White during the warm-up 23/3/2024 Jake White: 'I'll keep coaching as long as I love it'
Louis Rees-Zammit file photo Louis Rees-Zammit reportedly signs for Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited