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Kidney won`t rock the boat

Sunday 10th August 2008

Kidney: 'We certainly won't be looking to re-invent the wheel'

Incoming Ireland coach Declan Kidney has doffed his cap in Eddie O'Sullivan's direction by revealing that he does not intend to tamper with the dynamics or tactics of the national side.

Kidney arrives in the job having recently landed a second Heineken Cup title with Munster, and many believed he would look to transfer the province's trademark style on to the Test stage.

But the new Ireland boss is looking to build on the foundations that O'Sullivan laid down during his tenure.

"We certainly won't be looking to re-invent the wheel because you only have to look at the success of the team over the last six years," Kidney told Ireland's New of the World.

"If I came in with loads of fresh plans, that would be casting aspersions on what went on before and I don't think there was much wrong."

Argentina, New Zealand and Canada come to Dublin in November to play out games that will determine Ireland's seeding for the next World Cup, and Kidney admitted to being nervous ahead of his opening gambit.

"The difference between provincial rugby and international rugby is that the fish are the same size but the sea is bigger, and it is up to me to learn how to swim in that sea," he said.

"That is the size of the challenge. So I will be nervous about this job - but at the same time, I can't wait.

"I'd be like a player going out onto the field. You need a little bit of fear but also the confidence to go and do it.

"I won't make any promises because you can never make predictions in sport. I'm not one to talk about my own confidence. I prefer using a different language."

This week, Kidney unveiled his coaching team and he is happy with his selections.

He said: "The fact is we have a crop of players who are experienced and they needed to have experienced coaches around them.

"I deliberately looked for experienced people because they will know what I need."