Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton strangled Australia out of the second test
It was Johnny Sexton’s return that headlined the lead-up to the second test but it was his halves partner Conor Murray’s world-class control, aided by his front 8, which got Ireland back into this series to level things up at 1-1.
The Wallabies had the perfect start in Melbourne – Kurtley Beale was under the posts after just 90 seconds. After the first test, you could be forgiven for thinking Australia would run away with this series. It was not to be, however, as Ireland regained the kick-off and started their methodical process of grinding down the Wallabies.
Ireland throws a lot of complexity at the opposition through switch plays and screen passes but rarely do they offload. They prefer planned complexity to improvisation. After contact, they hit the deck and recycle, almost pre-determinedly. The pack is well drilled at cleaning and this week they nullified Pocock. With a high number of recycles part of the design, Murray always shapes as a key figure.
This week the system worked to suffocate Australia out of the game. After three-quarters of the match, the men in gold had a measly 27% possession with 27% territory. Ireland had the run of play and all of the control.
They got their first penalty after holding the ball for 13 phases, which they plugged the corner for a five-metre lineout. Murray broke off the lineout maul down the blind side at the perfect moment just as Australia’s forwards re-committed, before floating a rainbow to the unmarked Conway to score in the corner.
Ireland took the lead 10-7 with a Sexton penalty after Murray’s exit box kick was re-gathered and the Wallabies were put into their own exit situation. They failed and were penalised right in front of goal.
They hit another two penalties to stretch to 16-7 ahead with smart exiting and playing at the right end of the field. With Koribete in the bin, Ireland deliberately spread wide to bring up Folau or Heylett-Petty as the last man before kicking in behind through wingers Conway and Larmour.
The Wallabies managed to get a quick strike score with a penalty try after piggy-back penalties but weren’t able to find a way back into Ireland’s 22 as they were hammered with wave after Irish carries. Pocock snuffed out two goal-line raids either side of half-time but that was it.
The dam eventually burst in the 54th minute when Murray fed Tadghe Furlong close to the line with a mismatch against Nick Phipps. A 66th minute penalty iced the game as Ireland finished the game with a rare period of defensive work.
This was a dominant display of ball control as the Wallabies were never able to get into the game after the second minute. The low-risk, zero offload-game starved them of the ball and after Ireland took care of Pocock, they had no way back into the arm wrestle. Worryingly, the injury to Will Genia removes the Wallabies best playmaker for the decisive third test.
With Sexton back in partnership with Murray, the Irish should be heavy favourites to claim a historic 2-1 series victory.
Comments on RugbyPass
1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to comments