Conor Murray under fire from fans for 'terrible, terrible' call
Ireland veteran Conor Murray’s late-game decision to box kick the ball away in the dying minutes against England at Twickenham has sparked widespread criticism among Irish rugby fans.
The match – which saw heavy underdogs England secure a narrow 23-22 victory over Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations – was sealed by Marcus Smith’s dramatic stoppage-time drop goal.
It was maybe England’s standout performance under Steve Borthwick and it also dashed Ireland’s hopes for back-to-back Grand Slams.
Despite Ireland being the overwhelming favourites, England’s frenzied performance, marked by tries from Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank, and Ben Earl, turned the tables on the visitors.
As the game reached its crescendo, Ireland appeared to regain control with James Lowe’s try in the 72nd minute, setting the stage for what many expected to be a carefully managed endgame. However, Murray’s decision to kick, relinquishing possession in the crucial final minute, has become the focal point of fan frustration and disbelief for many.
Fans took to social media to express their dismay, questioning the rationale behind Murray’s choice at such a critical juncture. One fan lamented the lack of tactical acumen in holding onto possession and running down the clock, while another branded the decision as “criminal,” questioning the judgment of Ireland’s senior players in such pressure-cooker situations.
One fan asked: “I’m asking, not griping: Why didn’t Conor Murray hold possession and run through couple of clock-eating phases with Ireland’s last possession?” Another fan said: “Conor Murray kicking the ball away with a minute to go is criminal.. what the absolute **** are we doing.. so called ‘senior players’ ****ing the game away.” Another irate Irish fan wrote: “Full blame on Conor Murray there, or whoever made that call to kick with a minute to go, handing the ball to England – terrible, terrible decision! ”
There were many tweets in the vein on the matter.
The chorus of disapproval crescendoed with accusations squarely aimed at Murray for handing the initiative back to England, a move that ultimately led to Smith’s winning drop goal.
Others defended Murray, pointing out that in modern rugby holding onto possession in your 22 can present more risk of conceding a penalty than simply punting the ball back to the opposition and hoping to force an error of them.
Tim O’Connor – a respected Irish rugby account on X – wrote: “It’s not 2008 any more. You can’t run off over a minute of time, against much better defences, with “Use it!” and the breakdown contest. The best you’ll get is a caterpillar ruck closer to your line. Get it out down-pitch, chase, trust your defence. It won the last two RWCs.”
Former Ireland hooker turned pundit Bernard Jackman pointed that Murray’s kick was the least of it in terms of poor defensive play by Ireland. “Lots of talk about the last 2 minutes and whether we should have kicked it off or not. But Ireland will be very disappointed with these two phases of defense. England were down to 14 and to concede that much ground from a 4 man lineout on the first phase and not get more players far side on phase two was poor. Good England attack though.”
Lots of talk about the last 2 minutes and whether we should have kicked it off or not. But Ireland will be very disappointed with these two phases of defense. England were down to 14 and to concede that much ground from a 4 man lineout on the first phase and not get more players… pic.twitter.com/2nm75EqfzG
— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) March 10, 2024
Ireland can still claim the championship if they manage to beat Scotland next week at the Aviva Stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments