5 hours Ago
He cleaned up a dangerous ball and was involved in the chaotic moment over the Irish line. Knocked on a kick in a quiet game for him. Got over from close range for a try and a neat kick-chase too.
Cleaned up a loose ball well in his ’22, stepped by Juan Cruz Mallia and pass into touch. A pass to nobody led to Matias Moroni’s disallowed score but then great break for try number two. Important hits all over the park in a big effort.
Strong early charge and lovely pass for Tadhg Beirne’s non-try. Lovely offload to James Lowe for Joe McCarthy’s and super tackle at end of first half. Fully justified selection.
Won a turnover from a choke tackle and then a super jackal. Powerful charge for McCarthy score. A sloppy penalty and lost a ball near the line.
His try was a huge boost for his confidence and what a sweet drop goal. But then an overcooked cross-kick and early tackle. Made way again early though.
Super assist for Hansen with a long pass then nailed at a restart which led to a penalty. Not always on point with his kicking. Good hands for a dipping pass and some big hits too with his familiar energy.
As per usual his tackle count was impressively high. Great peel off the lineout for Crowley’s score but gave away a penalty and, yet again, there were lineout issues. Still getting back to match fitness.
Back again for another shift but got an ugly yellow card for a croc roll. Busy defensively and then left the action before the hour was up. There was a great offload off the deck and typical strength to score.
Shipped Ireland’s second yellow card but remained hugely physical throughout the contest. Big hit on Juan Martin Gonzalez and followed with a charge. Good take for McCarthy’s try and big carry out of the red zone when Ireland were in danger.
Unselfish assist for Hansen and then lost the ball over the line. Saved a score, coughed up a penalty and then had a quiet second half, moved to lock. Opened the game with a charge-down followed by an important turnover on Lucio Cinti.
Just kept working right to the end and some big moments. A tip-on to no-one resulted in the opening score. Busy with carrying and another long chat with the referee at the break.
Lots of carries and tackles. Again, you wondered at their overall impact though it was better than last week. Ryan Baird was very unlucky to go after a minute, Thomas Clarkson did reasonably well on debut as did Sam Prendergast.
Craig Casey brought zip, Jamie Osborne energy. Clearly the message had got through that there had to be a response but once more the discipline was so poor and in the second half his side fell away and were clinging on at the end..
