Murray Kinsella reports from Chicago
OLD MAN JOEY Carbery turns 23 today and, like two years ago, he will be celebrating the occasion in Chicago.
The unforgettable week in 2016 involved dinner and a birthday cake in the Windy City with the rest of the Ireland squad, then his Test debut in Ireland’s historic win over the All Blacks.
Carbery kicking at Soldier Field on Wednesday. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
This week might not match his 21st memories but it will provide another major occasion for Carbery in a rugby sense.
With Johnny Sexton left at home for Ireland’s visit to the US to take on Italy, Carbery is set to wear the national team’s 10 shirt for just the fourth time.
Nine of his 12 caps under Joe Schmidt have come from the bench but there have been big changes in Carbery’s life in the last six months and it feels as if he is moving up a gear as a player.
There was the start in the first Test defeat to Australia in June – a notable step up on wearing the 10 jersey against the US and Fiji – and then there was the difficult period that ended up with him joining Munster on a two-year deal.
That turbulent time around his move from Leinster has been followed by a real sense of calm, with Carbery settling in well to life at Munster and racking up six consecutive starts at out-half before joining up with Ireland for the November Tests.
“That was the main reason for the move, to be getting that game time,” says Carbery.
“I’m really happy with how it’s gone and we’re in a good place in Europe and a good place in the Pro14 after that win over Glasgow on the weekend.
Carbery at Ireland’s team hotel in Chicago. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
“There’s so much stuff we can build on, so much to work on and it’s really exciting. It’s quite a young group and with the likes of Chris Farrell to come back in, Jack O’Donoghue as well, it’s all exciting. There’s so much ahead of us and so much we can achieve.”
Carbery’s continuing growth as an out-half will only help Munster to improve in the coming months and years. It is, after all, easy to forget that he is very much still learning his trade.
“Every game you learn from, you review it,” says the Athy man. “There’s good coaches and good players around you that can tell what you’ve done good and what you’ve done bad.
“Having started those six games and come off the bench for the first two, it’s precious moments.
“For me, I feel I’m best when I’m continuously playing and getting into the rhythm of things. I’m stoked with how much I’m learning down there [in Munster] from the people and the coaches and I’m really happy with how it’s going so far.”
Carbery’s start in Brisbane against the Wallabies in June should help him to approach Saturday’s clash with the Italians in a confident frame of mind.
Sexton is the first-choice for Ireland by some distance, but the experience Carbery gained in Australia was certainly valuable.