Ronan O'Gara has gone down in Irish sporting folklore for many a moment in an Irish shirt. But his venture into coaching is starting to become more and more intriguing.
The former Munster man would have been in high spirits after his La Rochelle side downed Gloucester in the Champions Cup on Friday night. After the game, he was interviewed by the BT Sport crew.
What soon followed was an intelligent and tactical insight into how ROG's brain works. It was fascinating. Firstly, he was asked about the effortless nature of his team's offloading.
I think it's a mindset, it's something that interests me hugely. I think there's a massive ruck focus in the northern hemisphere and then when you go to the Crusaders it's KBA - keep ball alive. And that's something I'm interested in myself.
𝙆𝘽𝘼 - 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚
Fascinating to speak to La Rochelle coach @RonanOGara10 🟡
He discusses mindset, style of play and coaching the likes of Levani Botia ✨#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/5aI2t3euXL
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 2, 2021
The former Ireland number 10 spent two seasons as assistant coach of the New Zealand side. It's evident he's brought an element of that southern hemisphere style to his coaching in France.
We're trying to get speed on the ball and keeping it alive. There's a risk with that but you have to weigh up the risk and the reward and we were good at times and inaccurate at times, but that's the beauty of the game.
O'Gara was then asked how the players have responded to his coaching style. O'Gara smiles and says, "you'd have to ask them," followed by a laugh. Then there's more insight into his approach.
It's interesting teaching or coaching. You've got to keep persisting with your message but you can't have too many messages. So, us with the ball there's a big focus on identifying space. We look at obviously going through them or going outside them or ball in the air if they have 14 on the front line.
He continues:
There's always decisions to be made and that's something that you'll never get right, but if we get most of them right, you have a good chance.
Ugo Monye then asks if a prime Ronan O'Gara would enjoy playing the style of rugby seen on the field last night. O'Gara admits his game plan is often dictated with his playing days in mind.
I think that's an advantage. Every time I create a game plan or ideas - I put myself there. So what would I like? And then, conversely, what won't I like the opposition doing to me?
His La Rochelle side have now booked a Champions Cup quarter finals appearance with Scarlets or Sale Sharks.
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