Nov 19,2024
A fast start and a good first-half performance was enough for Ireland to beat Argentina last Friday night at Aviva Stadium.
In the end it was a fortuitous win for the hosts with Los Pumas camped near the Irish line and just three points down.
While there were issues of concern during the game, the timing of Sam Prendergast's introduction for his debut was not one of them.
Ireland pride themselves on small details and moments that accumulate into big plays and positive performances.
However, there have been some issues in their aerial game, their discipline and their kick-off receipts.
These would be understandable in teams that may be experiencing change, yet it's been quite a consistent selection from Andy Farrell.
If these errors were taking place while there were different personnel on the pitch, they would be easier to ignore.
There may be some change in the background, with Andrew Goodman taking the place of Mike Catt as backs coach and Andy Farrell’s imminent sabbatical on Lions head coach duty, but the players are pretty much the same as those that won the Six Nations last season.
We know Farrell isn’t one to make mass changes and I don’t believe Ireland need mass changes either.
To give a player an introduction into the team, you want to give them the consistency and leadership around them to thrive in the environment and ensure that they can put their best foot forward.
The positives from last Friday night were the introductions of Thomas Clarkson and Prendergast.
You must judge them on their performances based on where their international development is at. Both looked unbelievably comfortable, both playing in positions where depth is crucial.
Clarkson came on while Finlay Bealham was in the sin-bin and was then reintroduced in the second half. He won a scrum penalty, a free kick and had a very progressive defensive read to cause an Argentina error in their attack.
There’s been massive fear around what would happen to Ireland if Tadhg Furlong wasn’t available and Clarkson has shown that there’s some depth coming down the tracks.
His demeanour was positive, and he looked comfortable as he fitted in seamlessly to an established Irish forward pack.
The other debutant was Prendergast, a highly-anticipated appearance for anyone that has watched him develop through Ireland’s underage system and the Emerging Ireland tour, as well as anyone in Leinster colours.
We often hear that Ireland and Farrell don’t develop players or give them an opportunity.
Then Prendergast was introduced early enough to have a proper look at him in the Test arena with the game still in the balance. There were still some online murmurings that it was too early, and that Jack Crowley should have seen out the game.
The objective reality is that Ireland haven’t scored in the last two games when Crowley was off the pitch. That isn’t down to Crowley or Prendergast alone, although they play in a pivotal position for amalgamating points and opportunities.
Crowley had a superb reaction to last week and took control of the game in the first half. It’s a performance that Farrell would give him great credit for. The head coach looks for personality and resilience and Crowley is showing him that in spades.
Any player will be frustrated when being called ashore. Crowley was no different. Game time at out-half is crucial, feeling the rhythm of the game and problem solving in difficult situations makes the key decision-makers better at their craft.
There may have been some frustration when leaving the pitch as well because the starting 10 had a few mistakes that he wouldn’t stand over. A penalty for an early tackle, a kick out on the full, but nothing that would take the gloss off his decision-making and execution of moments he created in the first half.
Prendergast should be proud of his first senior Irish performance. He oozes confidence and calmness, shown by his body language before entering the field of play.
He has a great ability to play others into the game with late decisions at the tackle line, while backing himself to create something in attack.
I’m sure Ireland will review some of the 22-metre attacks where they failed to score, something they won’t like to make a habit of.
However, introducing a young out-half to international rugby against a team like Argentina is a massive step forward for Ireland.
To have Crowley, Prendergast and Ciarán Frawley vying for one or maybe two matchday positions is only going to be good for competition.
Crowley has enough game time in the bank and success with Ireland for him to be confident of tying down his spot. Nevertheless, everyone thrives with proper competition and Prendergast took that competition to another level.
Ireland may have scraped the victory in the end, but they’ve come away with positives at tighthead and out-half, and they also created opportunities to put the game to bed.
There’s always frustration when you leave an opportunity on the pitch.
The Tadhg Beirne missed try from the first half is a glaring example, but you’d much prefer to be a coach accepting that you missed opportunities rather than a coach trying to figure out why you’ve created none at all.
The next two weeks should be where we see more rotation in the Irish squad. Fiji is one that was earmarked for a few more changes than we’ve seen in the first two games.
I’d still be careful with Prendergast. I’m not sure if we need him to start a Test match as physically daunting as this one. He’s played plenty of physical opposition, but Fijian physicality is something that might do more harm than good.
My preference would be to allow Frawley the opportunity to right some wrongs of a fortnight ago. You don’t lose ability overnight and I’d love to see him put on a show in a starting position. Prendergast should then get 30 minutes to build on last week.
Australia might have caused some fresh thinking with their performances in the last few weeks. I’d revert to Crowley as the starting out-half with the better performer of Frawley and Prendergast on the bench in a proper shootout.
There are Ireland players that have been patient, and hopefully this is the week where we see another start for Craig Casey and World Rugby breakthrough player of the year nominee Jamie Osborne, an appearance for Cormac Izuchukwu and a return for Jacob Stockdale.
The next two weeks should give us some insight into what Farrell and his coaches have been seeing in training. They are usually very evidence-based in their selections and we’ll see what direction he’s taking this squad before he steps aside.
