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'He doesn't avoid danger enough' | Andy Dunne on Joey Carbery

Joey Carbery's injury against Italy has cast some doubt over the fly-half's style of play, Andy D...



Rugby

'He doesn't avoid danger enough' | Andy Dunne on Joey Carbery

Joey Carbery's injury against Italy has cast some doubt over the fly-half's style of play, Andy Dunne thinks he can still be a bit reckless at times. 

Speaking on Friday's OTB AMthe former fly-half said overall Carbery's game is still quite polished.

“He doesn’t really have any glaring weaknesses in his game, it’s more the choices and selections he makes.

“I think Johnny Wilkinson is to blame for this, he changed the template for out half play by being so physical.

“If you look at Tom Brady playing for The Patriots, if anyone comes near him he just collapses on the floor in a bid to protect himself.

“There absolutely is a way for a young out half to protect themselves and to learn how to avoid danger. I think he doesn’t avoid danger enough," Dunne said.

Photo Credit: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Physical challenges 

Carbery moved to Munster back in 2018 in a bid to get more game time at 10. While he did have a good debut season at the position, Dunne thinks he still has a bit to learn.

“He’s physically a very strong guy but he’s getting into situations that he ought not to be in.

“Johnny Wilkinson, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell they love it and they get stuck in all day long and that’s the nature they have got, but they’re kind of ruining it for everyone else.

“I think Joey just needs to find that little bit of balance and avoid those unnecessarily physical challenges," the former fly-half said.

Dunne thinks that Carbery should be in the Irish side even if Sexton is playing at 10, because of the attacking options it gives Ireland.

"So essentially you have your playmaker and your ballplayer either side of the ruck as the first receiver.

"For Ireland, all roads run through Johnny [Sexton] at the moment, as the first receiver.

"We don't have a clear stand-out option unless you select Carbery in the side with Sexton," he said.

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Andy Dunne Irish Rugby Joey Carbery Rugby World Cup