Ireland secured a hard-fought and ultimately underwhelming 22-19 win in the Aviva Stadium this afternoon over a determined Australia. The game was a tale of a disjointed and error-strewn performance that looked to be frustrating the players. In the first half, Ireland dominated field position but failed to convert into points. The team's attack looked good for the 1st phase but more lateral as the phases went on.
Ireland resorted to outdated "up and under" tactics that yielded little reward. The team seemed more preoccupied with maintaining complex attacking shapes than effectively resourcing rucks and maintaining possession.
By the end, Ireland looked like a side desperately in need of a rest after six consecutive weeks together. With some impact off the bench, Ireland will be relieved to get over the line but in truth, this was far from a vintage performance.
Here's a look at the individual performances of the Irish team:
Ireland rugby player ratings: starting XV
15. Hugo Keenan – 7/10
Keenan nearly got Ireland off to the perfect start with a good run to the Australian try line and a pass from Prendergast. Won some vital aerial duels and looked good in attack.
14. Mack Hansen – 6/10
Physically found out again in the outside channels. Had a poor defence decision for Australia’s try. Wanted to make an impact by getting off his wing but had little impact in his 13 ball carries.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 6/10
Prevented a certain try chasing back the Australian winger. Provided some good impact with his carrying.
12. Bundee Aki– 5/10
Needs to play to his strengths. Tried to turn himself into a passing centre and forgot what his strength is – never got to see his gainline/ball-carrying ability. - 6 Ball Carries/7 tackles.
11. James Lowe – 6/10
Targeted in the air in the early exchanges. Heavily involved in Ireland’s strike plays. Made some poor handling errors when he got on the ball.
10. Sam Prendergast – 7/10
So relaxed with his decision making and skills in attack. Made a saving tackle in the 1st half. Didn't have the space he had last week. Some excellent line kicking got Ireland some decent field position. Fell off a few tackles in the 1st half. Lovely cross field kick for to get Lowe away.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 6/10
Tried hard to speed up the game but hampered by some poor breakdown work throughout the game.
1. Andrew Porter – 6/10
A tired performance by the Irish loose head. Looks like a player who needs a rest. Poor lineout lift on a crucial lineout 5m out. Never got on the ball as much as he usually does.
2. Ronan Kelleher – 7/10
Put in a big shift in defence. His defensive ruck work was very good and slowed lots of Australian ball down. Never really got his hands on the ball 12 tackles.
3. Finlay Bealham – 5/10
Left his hands in the changing rooms with some very poor handling errors in the 1st half. Worked hard in defence. 6 tackles.
4. Joe McCarthy – 6/10
Relief for him not to receive an early yellow card for a poor tackle in the early stages. Australia struggled to deal with him around the breakdown. Worked hard in his ball carries 6 tackles/8 Carries.
5. James Ryan – 6/10
Kept Ireland in the game with his defence effort in the 1st half. 13 tackles
6. Tadhg Beirne – 7/10
Found himself away from much of the action due to his role as a 6. Looked more comfortable when he went into the 2nd row. Another 80 minutes for the big man. 13 tackles & 8 Ball carries.
7. Josh Van Der Flier – 7/10
Mr Consistent – while the rest of his team-mates weren’t switched on for much of the game. Van Der Flier just gets on with his job. Got over for Ireland’s 1st try to give the team some life. 12 tackles & 8 Ball carries
8. Caelan Doris (Capt.) – 7/10
Caused chaos to the Australian ruck ball. Had some big carries just before Ireland’s 1st try.
Gave his team a much-needed boost to get Ireland back into the game with Ireland’s 2nd try. 12 Ball Carries/15 tackles
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Ireland rugby player ratings: Replacements:
16· Gus McCarthy – 6/10
The academy player was sprung from the bench to get Ireland over the line. Good impact on the ball.
17· Cian Healy – 6/10
Now Ireland’s most capped player with his 134th cap.
18· Tom O’Toole – 5/10
A needless defence penalty when he came on. Struggled at scrum time and in defence with 2 missed tackles.
19· Iain Henderson – 6/10
Worked hard and provided some impact in defence. 6 tackles
20· Peter O’Mahony– 6/10
Threw himself into the game. And seemed to jump a performance from those around him. Took a good lineout when he came on
21· Craig Casey – 7/10
Injected the game with some much-needed pace and moved a tired Australia around the field. Exactly what was needed when Ireland was chasing the game.
22· Jack Crowley– 6/10
Looked like a man who was on to prove a point. An excellent grubber kick that lead to Ireland’s winning try. Put a kick out on the full.
23· Garry Ringrose – 6/10
Full of energy when he came on. Put in some good passes to get Ireland a bit wider in their attack.
Coach– 6/10
Andy Farrell’s last game for 11 months and he’ll be delighted to get over the line.
Ireland’s set-piece attack plays looked good early on but the attack was halted with some surprising errors. The breakdown was an issue in phase play. Again there were Lineout issues for this team and solutions need to be found as the current methods aren’t having the return that Paul O’Connell wants.
It was disappointing to see Ireland opt for some very dated Garryowens in the 2nd half that caused very little problems for Australia.
However, Farrell made his subs at the right time and got the impact from his changes at half back. He sails off to the Lions gig but has left his coaching team with lots of issue, but that will be for another day.
