Ronan O’Gara expects to be fit before Ireland vs USA – Rugby World Cup 2011
Munster’s star fly half, Ronan O’ Gara, has expressed his confidence that he will attain his full fitness by the time Ireland’s opening 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) encounter against the USA is ready to start.
O’Gara made the comments while talking to an Irish newspaper. Earlier this month, O’Gara injured his calf on the last day of the Ireland’s training camp for their 2011 RWC campaign at Carton House. O’Gara confirmed that he tore his calf and said, “I just
pushed the body so hard in the first week that I got a bit of a twinge.”
However, O’Gara added that the he is satisfied with the progress of his recovery. He further added, “I'm nearly back, but I haven't done much running for the last 10 days.” O’Gara further added, “They will have had four heavy fitness sessions on me and
the sessions look really hard, so I'll have to make that up.”
The 34-year-old O’Gara made his international debut for Ireland against Scotland in 2000 at the age of 23. He has played 110 games for Ireland and has scored 1006 points. This includes 16 tries, 163 conversions, 185 penalties and 15-drop goals.
The United States born O’Gara has already represented Ireland in their 2003 and 2007 RWC campaigns. However, in his third consecutive World Cup, he faces tough competition from the Leinster's Jonathan Sexton.
O’Gara added that he is aware of the competition for the fly half position with Sexton. He further added that he will be looking to deliver a performance that at the end of the day will help the team to achieve better results.
O’Gara added, “I'll make sure I'm in good condition physically and mentally and I haven't really thought about the competition for the jersey.”
Earlier this year, during the 2011 RBS Six Nations tournament, Sexton was preferred over O’Gara. Sexton started three of their five matches in the tournament and delivered an exceptional performance for Ireland in their home victory over England, which earned
him Man of the Match.
O’Gara added that he’s not worried about the competition of being not included in the side. He added, “There will, hopefully, come a time in the World Cup that I'm needed, whether it is to start games or come on and win games. It's all to play for. It just
makes the debate more appealing to everyone at this stage.”
Ireland is placed in Pool C of the 2011 RWC alongside Australia, Italy, Russia, and United States. Ireland will kick-start their 2011 RWC campaign against the USA in New Plymouth on September 11.
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