Ireland player ratings vs Georgia - Autumn Nations Cup
Ireland player ratings: The Georgia game was always going to afford Andy Farrell a rare opportunity to experiment, and he took that opportunity, at least to a degree.
Playing the Lelos is always a bit of a hiding to nothing for Tier 1 teams. Anything less than a hammering is a failure, no matter how well the Georgians play. What the match was, was an opportunity for individuals to showcase their talents, with all eyes on flyhalf Billy Burns.
Credit to Georgia who have grown in confidence week on week! pic.twitter.com/nOHkJbUQ1S
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 29, 2020
What viewers got was turgid. Here’s our Ireland player ratings:
15. JACOB STOCKDALE – 5.5/10
Georgian centre Giorgi Kvesealadze needs to invoice him for the outrageous dummy that he bought on his way to their brilliant 17th-minute try. A botched chip was symptomatic of an Ireland side that were trying to play too much rugby in the opening minutes. The Irish fullback’s passing however was absolutely top draw and he was one of the few players trying to make things happen in attack.
14. HUGO KEENAN – 6
Keenan has been remarkably composed in his short Ireland career to date, and that trend continued here. Picked up another try following a sumptuous miss-out pass from Stockdale. Defended intelligently, shooting out his line to snuff out a Georgian overlap with a phenomenal read in the 49th minute.
HUGO TRY! ?@KeenanHugo ?#IREvGEO pic.twitter.com/YIVLb0Sh1l
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) November 29, 2020
13. CHRIS FARRELL – 5
A strong start to the game with a crunching hit on Georgia’s Vasil Lobzhanidze. The Lelos midfield had the Munsterman’s number however, isolating, holding him up and turning him over on multiple occasions.
12. STUART MCCLOSKEY – 6.5
With just three caps to his name leading in the game, he was clearly desperate to make an impression on Ireland’s selectors, but it wasn’t the perfect start for Bangor Bulldozer. The big 12 turned over the ball with his first carry, a mistake which was compounded moments later when he forced an offload for a second turnover in the space of two minutes. Started to settle thereafter, his kicking from hand in particular impressing. A bizarre forward pass call then denied him a perfectly good try and his 87 post-contact metres made him Ireland’s key route up the pitch.
11. KEITH EARLS – 5
Couldn’t quite wriggle his way past Georgian defenders in a 9th-minute push for the line. Very little ball came his way thereafter.
10. BILLY BURNS – 6
He made up for a charge down by dummying his way over for Ireland’s first try. This was a scatty Ireland performance with Burns at the wheel, and his try aside, you don’t feel he’s furthered his case for the sacred ten jersey. He’ll be happy with a 15 points haul but injury ultimately robbed him of a chance to lay down a marker.
9. CONOR MURRAY – 5
His box kicks were impeccable. Other than that a workmanlike shift from the veteran.
1. FINLAY BEALHAM – 4
Considering Georgia’s scrum issues against Wales and England, one expected Ireland to have done a similar number on them. They didn’t. The more the match wore on, the more the Connacht prop struggled. He’s handy in the loose but question marks remain unanswered around his scrummaging. The sight of him being dragged along the ground following one particular scrum monstering will make for difficult viewing on Monday morning.
2. ROB HERRING – 6
Came within millimetres of scoring off a 32nd-minute rolling maul but was ultimately held-up. While the scrum creaked, Ireland’s lineout was pretty immaculate.
3. ANDREW PORTER – 5
Had his work cut against Mikheil Nariashvili. He was penalised less than Bealham in the first half, but he did little to stem the tide of Georgian confidence in this area of the game.
4. IAIN HENDERSON – 7
Was Ireland’s outstanding forward. Scattered Georgian defenders every time he carried. All the Lions talk is about Ryan, but it was Henderson who showed his Lions pedigree here.
5. JAMES RYAN – 4
A flat performance from the Leinsterman. Ireland needed a gee-up as the Georgians grew into the match, but the odd carry, Ryan didn’t seem overly interested. In a strangely impassive post-match interview the skipper said he was ‘happy’ with Ireland’s scrum and their first-half performances. You’d be forgiven for wondering what match he was talking about.
6. TADHG BEIRNE – 6
Carried hard and harried the opposition and was a menace over the ball.
7. WILL CONNORS – 6
Possibly at fault for the Georgians’ brilliant first try but threw himself into the contact zone. Looked to play the link role at times, although it didn’t always pan out for the 24-year-old. Came off with a HIA after being involved in a massive collision.
8. CJ STANDER – 6
He needed a big performance after striking a bum note against England. Spent the afternoon trucking it up the pitch for moderate gains.
REPLACEMENTS:
JOHN RYAN – 6
A rare opportunity for Ryan, who scrummed well after coming on for Porter.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments