It was a feisty affair in the Aviva Stadium as Ireland bounced back from last week's disappointment with a 22- 19 win over Felipe Contepomi's Argentina.
It was a hectic first quarter in Dublin with a disallowed Argentinian try, an Argentinian yellow card, two Irish tries from Mack Hansen and Jack Crowley and a yellow card for tighthead prop Finlay Bealham all coming before the clock struck twenty.
While on the scoreboard it was Ireland who had all the control, Farrell's men were fortunate that Argentina's opening try which effortlessly split the Irish defence was struck off for an earlier high tackle on Munster man Jack Crowley.
As referee Paul Williams went to the big screen for a TMO review, the writing was on the wall for Argentina's Matias Moroni who was fortunate to only see yellow for the reckless head blow he dealt Jack Crowley.
Despite a trip to the side line being inevitable for Moroni, there was widespread surprise when Jack Crowley was spared a trip down the tunnel for a HIA just moments after he'd sustained a heavy blow to the head.
𝐘𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 🟨
Argentina thought they'd scored the first try, but after an on-field review, Matias Moroni has been a shown a yellow card for a high challenge on Jack Crowley.
There'll be a bunker review for Moroni too. #IREvARG | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/ME4iRTpoqI— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 15, 2024
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Shock at lack of HIA for Jack Crowley
While moments after the nasty collision Crowley would cross the whitewash for Ireland's first try of the game, the decision not to refer Crowley for an assessment has raised questions about World Rugby's head injury protocols.
𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐘!
Weaves through for his second international try!
🟢 7-0 🇦🇷#IREvARG | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/t7j77KA3MJ— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 15, 2024
While the high-tech gum shields introduced by World Rugby to identify potential concussions obviously didn't trigger a warning after the incident, the independent match day doctor, Irish doctor and referee all still have the ability to request a player be assessed.
That never happened however, instead, Crowley was allowed to play on - a decision that left fans absolutely, particularly after Crowley could be seen grabbing his head as he hit the ground.
Rugby killing itself. Not a lot in that. Great try scored brought back and totally changes momentum. And if an offence, how is Crowley allowed to stay on after rolling around holding his face? #IREvARG
— Andrew Banfield (@AndBanf) November 15, 2024
Staggering to hear people actually believe hits like that don't deserve a card. It's a card all day. Crowley should've received a HIA. Ref should've done that but head contact will always end in a card. Anyone arguing against that is behind the times. #IREvARG
— Stephen Hovenden Keane (@SHovendenKeane) November 15, 2024
It was so serious the officials haven’t even sent Crowley for an HIA….
Utter farce to start a game.
#IREVARG— JHC (@JYHYCN) November 15, 2024
In fairness to Crowley, despite the early knock to the head he would go on to deliver one of his finest performances in an Irish shirt, crossing the whitewash just moments after his knock before delivering an emphatic dropkick in the twentieth minute.
While the Munster man delivered one of his most telling performances in green after the incident, questions will linger about whether Jack Crowley's long-term future should have been better protected by the medical staff on Friday night.
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