Attitude rather than height will be key for Ireland in South Africa, says Mike Catt – The Irish Times

Mike Catt is pursuing a zero-excuse culture when discussing Ireland’s two-Test tour to South Africa. That includes problems playing at high altitude, absent friends in Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan, or any issues arising from Leinster and Munster’s disappointing end to the season.

The Irish ethos is to focus on the solution, not the problem. Catt, in his final assignment as Ireland coach before handing over to Andrew Goodman – the New Zealander travels to South Africa as part of the backroom team – is all about embracing the challenges with a positive attitude.

He pointed to the fact that Ireland had never won a Test series in South Africa as a huge motivation. The South African-born former England World Cup winner does not bother with platitudes. “It’s a huge challenge, they’re world champions in their own backyard, but it’s embracing it and enjoying it; a series victory in South Africa has never been achieved before.

“(It) is another challenge for this team, the coaches and the backroom staff. It’s wonderful, exciting; let’s face it.” Asked about the height, he ventured: “What has Glasgow done? Don’t make something that isn’t (relevant to us).

“Every time you put on an Ireland shirt, whoever you play against, it’s hard, it’s tough, you have to take yourself to a dark side. It will be no different when we appear at Loftus on June 6 (for the first Test).

“You have to take yourself to a level and that is the challenge. Can you get yourself to a level where you think correctly and make decisions in the heat of the moment? It’s also the same for both sides. If you talk about height, not everyone plays at height in South Africa, so don’t worry about that.”

The overall theme in the conversation is one of opportunity. Catt called the Emerging Ireland tour to 2022 a crucial development insight and marker not only for players but also for coaches.

“With people like Paul O’Connell coaching you, Simon Easterby, those guys, you get that information nice and early and when you look at Ireland you can relate to what’s going on because you understand it. And the more you understand something, the more confident you become and your development can go enormously.”

Sam Prendergast is one of the main beneficiaries, one of three uncapped players in the Ireland squad. Catt said: “I think his ceiling is very high, he has a lot of confidence. He’s leading the week very, very well.

“It is clear that he can learn a lot from this environment for the future. He deserves a chance, that’s what we went for.” Will it accelerate his development? “Hugely,” said Catt.

“If you’re surrounded by the best of the best all the time, you have no chance of playing with a Bundee (Aki) or those guys around him. It ensures that he absorbs all the atmosphere and intelligence of the players around him and understands what it is all about.”

When asked if Prendergast reminded him of an outhalf he came across in his own career, Catt smiled and replied: “(He’s) got a lot of confidence, he’s got a very, very high skill set, he’s also got a great torpedo (kick) , a spiral that is very old-fashioned; I like a spiral, that’s why it was chosen.

“No, it’s his self-confidence and his appearance. Just being in this environment and this group can accelerate his development even further.” So he reminds him of someone? “I won’t say who it is,” said a laughing Catt.

South African players such as Damian de Allende, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe have verbally stoked the fire ahead of the series, but Catt has no intention of biting back. “It does not matter. It’s great for the game and great for the hype, but from our point of view it’s business as usual. You can’t dwell on all those things. You don’t use it.

“We know what we have to do to go to South Africa and win a series. That’s all it is. All the white noise on the side doesn’t even get in. We know where we are going, and the players have to reach a certain level to get there. So we will focus on the things we can control.”