34-year-old Conor Murray is heading into his fourth World Cup.
HAPPILY ENOUGH, CONOR Murray wasn’t even aware that he was getting booed as he was announced as the player of the match during Ireland’s win over Samoa in Bayonne last Saturday night.“I was more concerned about the lineout we were about to face, I didn’t actually hear it,” said the 34-year-old scrum-half with a smile.
In truth, it was an ugly game to finish Ireland’s World Cup preparation but Murray was pleased that they gritted it out in the rain at Stade Jean Dauger to maintain their winning streak, which is now at a new record 13 games. “There’s a really good mood in the camp and we showed some really good signs against England of what we’re capable of. Warm-up games are always going to be a little bit like that,” said Murray.“But we know where we can go as a group, the confidence is really high and that [Samoa game] was a different type of test and we found a way to get through it.
“Very impressive” was Murray’s succinct review of the South African display before he was asked to elaborate on another of the teams Ireland will face in Pool B. “So we’ve been watching South Africa and everyone else for a long time but a really good performance from them and I’m sure they’ll feel really good about where they’re at because that was a really good New Zealand side and they made them look not so good.Dan Sheridan / INPHO Murray in Bayonne last weekend. Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
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