Ireland and Argentina played out a largely underwhelming test clash in the Aviva Stadium last Friday night. While Ireland would secure a three-point win over Felipe Contepomi's side, there was an air of disappointment about Ireland's subpar performance.
Despite the clash not delivering the bounceback many had hoped for after Farrell's loss to New Zealand, there was no shortage of positives to take in the race to fill Johnny Sexton's boots.
Not only did the jersey holder Jack Crowley deliver an emphatic opening half of rugby that saw him both cross the whitewash and score a sensational drop goal, but Leinster hot shot, 21-year-old Sam Prendergast also made an impressive international debut.
Prendergast who has long been tipped as Sexton's long-term successor at ten, made his appearance from the bench in the sixty-third minute, impressing with his fearless ball-carrying and his defence-splitting passing.
15 November 2024; Sam Prendergast of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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Jim Hamilton unconvinced by Sam Prendergast's performance
While the general consensus on Sam Prendergast's attack was positive, with Shane Horgan even comparing his traits to Johnny Sexton, Scottish legend Jim Hamilton was less than convinced by the Leinster man's defensive abilities.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, Hamilton revealed that while he was impressed by Prendergast's attacking capabilities, his size and defensive capabilities mean he's not ready for international rugby yet, even claiming Prendergast was out of his depth and didn't want to tackle.
Hmm.....I thought he was alright in attack, he's way too small at the minute, I'm not trying to be harsh or negative, it didn't look like he wanted to tackle either, he's got to put a bit of weight on, I say a bit of weight, it looks like he's got to put about five or six kgs on.
At the minute he's too small and he's playing against Argentina and he looked physically out of his depth. Attacking wise he looked great. I'm not liking the shit that Jack Crowley is getting, he made a couple of errors in the game, he kicked one out on the full...but the first half I thought he was brilliant.
Sam Prendergast will come through at some point, Bernard Jackman speaks about him, everyone's talking about him, but he ain't ready. Imagine him playing against South Africa or France at the minute, he's definitely one for the future. He's twenty-one which is young, he's got a lot of time.
Both he and Andy Goode were also quick to caution Andy Farrell about having too many changes at the centre of the attack, with Hamilton expressing sympathy for Ciaran Frawley who was dropped in place of Prendergast for last Friday's game.
I'm not happy that Frawley got bombed out as well for making two errors but it is a ruthless environment to be in. So I can see that, but from an Ireland point of view, looking in they're unsure on their ten, it feels like they're trying to make something happen. Prendergast isn't quite ready, Jack Crowley is first choice, but it's on a knife edge, there was talk of Frawley starting before the Autumn Nations Series, with that there becomes an issue.
They didn't score when he (Prendergast) was on and physically he's too small at the minute.
While it's difficult to disagree with some aspects of Hamilton's claims, speaking ahead of Ireland's clash with Argentina, Andy Farrell made it abundantly clear that he felt Prendergast was ready to take on the mantle of driving the Irish attack.
Judging by Friday night's performance, Sam Prendergast was more than capable with the ball in his hand, even if his defence needs some work.
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