While Johnny Sexton managed to stay on the pitch for almost all of the game between Ireland and South Africa, the bruising nature of the contest meant that Jack Crowley was always going to be asked to play a role at some point.
The 23-year old has experienced quite the rise over the last 12 months or so, establishing himself at Munster and becoming increasingly important at international level. He now looks to be entrenched as the main backup to Sexton and is likely to inherit the no. 10 jersey when the Irish captain hangs up his boots at the end of the Rugby World Cup.
Crowley's time on the pitch against the Springboks was only limited to seven minutes or so, but he still had a big impact in deciding the outcome of the game.
He would kick a penalty soon after coming on that pushed Ireland's lead to five points, meaning the South Africans needed to score a try in the final moments in order to get back into it.
Jack Crowley extends Ireland's lead to five points, with the clock ticking towards full-time!
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In the end, this would prove to be the winning moment for Andy Farrell's side.
Jack Crowley reveals James Lowe role in pivotal South Africa moment
While that kick looked like a straightforward one, the pressure that was on Jack Crowley at the time meant that it was not quite as simple as it may have seemed.
As well as making sure that the three points were secured, the outhalf was also attempting to run the clock down as much as possible in the process. Kickers have 60 seconds to take the kick once they elect to go for the posts, with there being only three seconds remaining when this kick was taken.
Speaking after the game, Crowley revealed how teammate James Lowe played an important role when it came to ensuring that the 60 seconds did not elapse before the kick was taken (h/t RTÉ).
Yeah I’m not sure who was standing to my right. It might have been James Lowe but I know it sometimes looks – I don’t know what the word is – it’s precious time and he was counting it down for me...
At that stage you’ve got to be closing out the game.
You can’t be giving them an opportunity because they will take it.
You saw that when they kicked to the corner for the maul that they had so, the shot clock up in the corner you are watching it and it got to 10 and I said you’re going to have to find who it was to my right, counting it down, it was precious time...
I think when you are sitting on the bench here looking up at the clock and looking at the time, slowly as the time is dwindling away you see the magnitude grow larger.
We all know the credit South Africa deserve for making that challenge. It was a proper Test match. The physicality was through the walls.
Lowe can be seen in the clip above speaking to Jack Crowley to ensure he got the kick off in time. Had he failed to do so, the kick would not have been counted and a scrum would have been awarded instead.
Thankfully, it did not come to that as Ireland managed the situation perfectly and managed to secure the win over South Africa.
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