Ireland player ratings vs Japan | 2021 Summer Tests
Ireland got back to action 15 weeks after they finished out the Guinness Six Nations with a resounding flourish, battering England in submission with a comprehensive performance that ensured the likes of Jack Conan and Bundee Aki became surprise Lions tour picks.
With seven players away in South Africa, CJ Stander now retired and veteran pair Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls both given the summer off, Andy Farrell was always going to have to hugely change his team and Ireland went into their game versus Japan with just four repeat starters from last March – Hugo Keenan, Jacob Stockdale, Dave Kilcoyne and Josh van der Flier.
The wholesale rejig understandably had a sluggish impact on performance, Ireland eventually securing a 39-31 win in the first match at the Aviva Stadium in front of fans since February 2020.
The 3,000 people who were there saw nine tries in total in an entertaining contest. Whereas the Lions’ fast start had Japan beaten after the opening half hour last week in Murrayfield, the concession of five penalties left Ireland coming within a forward pass of potentially trailing 17-7 just 19 minutes in here.
As it was they needed a converted try with the clock in the red to take a 19-17 lead with them into the interval following a half where there were too many frustrating errors, particularly with their misfiring lineout and missed tackles, a tally that had risen to 21 by the finish of a match where they at least managed to stem their indiscipline and win the penalty count by 13-7.
Ireland respond!
Some quick hands and clever footwork put Ireland 7 – 3 with just 7 minutes gone!#C4Rugby | #IREvJPN pic.twitter.com/59L3WHSuz7
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) July 3, 2021
In the end, tries from Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey, Finlay Bealham, van der Flier and Stockdale were just about good enough to secure an eight-point victory in a game where a regular drawback of theirs – an inability to offload more in the tackle – was evident in the statistic that highlighted Japan’s eleven offloads to Ireland’s four which is something for Farrell to mull over before next weekend’s game versus the USA. Here are the RugbyPass Ireland player ratings:
15. HUGO KEENAN – 7
An ever-present under Farrell who could consider himself unlucky not to have been more in the Lions selection conversation, he showed early instinct to cover the field when snuffing out a Japanese kick through. He also demonstrated prowess under the garryowen when gathering a Joey Carbery kick and was excellent when joining the line to ignite the momentum for McCloskey’s score only to disappointingly miss a must-make tackle in Japan’s second try. That was an example of how he needs to better close the defensive door.
14. JORDAN LARMOUR – 4
Managed just the three carries in a frustrating 30 minutes that ended with injury. He was replaced by Shane Daly who was soon suckered by the cross-kick for Japan’s second try before showing some promising footwork on a break before the interval. Defensively caught out again when Japan retook the lead just minutes into the second half. Overall, the rookie found it difficult to blend in when defending but he finished clocking up the most metres by an Irish player, 43 metres for four carries.
13. CHRIS FARRELL – 5
His first Test outing since the Autumn Nations Cup playoff versus Scotland began with a try scored on eight minutes but his channel wasn’t an area where he was all that busy. Was gone less than three minutes into the second half after getting his head the wrong side of a tackle which allowed Billy Burns to come on.
12. STUART McCLOSKEY – 6
It’s a good job the soon-to-be 29-year-old is a patient operator as this was just his fifth cap – and a second under Farrell – since a February 2016 debut away to England. The Irish midfield struggled on his last outing against Georgia and he was worryingly left rooted to the spot defensively for the try Japan would have been awarded but for a forward pass. He redeemed himself with his try on 26 minutes but then gave away a no release penalty at the restart, a passage that highlighted his frequent inconsistencies. Was also seen joining Daly in tackling low which allowed the offload to get Japan a try back on 57 minutes.
11. JACOB STOCKDALE – 6
Largely anonymous in the first half with little activity on either side of the ball, but he highlighted his patience by sticking at it and being in the right spot to score the try that got Ireland 31-24 ahead.
10. JOEY CARBERY – 7
It was a sight for sore Irish eyes seeing the long lamented Carbery in an Ireland shirt. His injury run in recent years was extremely cruel but that lay-off hadn’t dimmed his ambition as it was his chip and successful chase around halfway that scattered the Japanese defence for the McCloskey try. There were signs of rustiness, though, as he had a pass in the opposition 22 intercepted and had missed four tackles by the break. Much tidier in the second half and he importantly finished with a tally of 14 points.
9. JAMISON GIBSON-PARK – 6
It was not that long ago when the Kiwi was talking himself up as the main Ireland No9 only for that ambition to get blown out of the water by the resurgence of Conor Murray who is now away skippering the Lions. He started here with a sloppy kick straight to touch and there were times when his direction wasn’t what was needed such as stepping to his right near the line when he could have backed himself to possibly score. Enjoyed a couple of try assists with his snappy pass but couldn’t adequately cover the deft kick through for Japan’s third try early in the second half. Was disappointing that replacement Craig Casey got only two token minutes.
Try for Ireland!
A quick break sees Ireland take back the lead from the visitors! All to play for at the Aviva.#C4Rugby | #IREvJPN pic.twitter.com/6BxrtPXhhj
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) July 3, 2021
1. DAVE KILCOYNE – 6
Loads of typical energy but he showed his true worth when winning a scrum penalty under his posts on 20 minutes to relieve pressure. Usually a prop to feature often on the ball, he didn’t register a single carry by the break and he exited on 59 minutes for Ed Byrne.
2. RONAN KELLEHER – 7
Started just once in five recent Six Nations appearances but a Lions training camp invite while they were in Jersey set him up to take the jersey from Rob Herring but he will be disappointed with his lineout throwing. You can maybe excuse the hooker when Peter O’Mahony and James Ryan get beaten to the jump, but not throwing straight was inexcusable. He at least carried very well, something best illustrated when he galloped forward in the creation of the second-half Stockdale try. Coach Farrell continued to stick by him and he then won the turnover penalty with twelve minutes left that allowed Carbery push Ireland eight points ahead. Only then did he depart for Herring having encouragingly overcome his moments of adversity.
3. FINLAY BEALHAM – 6
Had horrible memories of his last Ireland cap, the Georgian scrum the dominant set-piece last November at the Aviva, but he toiled away here on his return and was rewarded with the try with the clock in the red that allowed Ireland go in at the break ahead by two points after the conversion was kicked. Replaced by John Ryan on 59.
4. ULTAN DILLANE – 6
With Quinn Roux’s Ireland career over following his switch to the Top 14, the path is now a bit clearer for the 27-year-old to finally start delivering more to the Ireland set-up. This was just his fourth start in 19 Test caps and there will be annoyance with his flappy hands trying to fetch restart kicks. On the plus side, he showed good hands with a pass to Bealham in lead-up to the first Ireland try and he was his team’s top tackler by the break with nine. Saw out the third quarter before Ryan Baird came on who was easier on the eye, leaving three defenders beaten in his encouraging cameo.
And just like that, Ireland take the lead back!
A big drive and carry from van der Flier Puts the Irish back in control.#C4Rugby | #IREvJPN pic.twitter.com/t9CdCCO5LJ
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) July 3, 2021
5. JAMES RYAN – 6
Irish fans were left angered by Warren Gatland’s decision to bring Adam Beard into to the Lions last weekend and not Ryan. An adductor issue was the reason given at the time but Ryan’s performance here after proving his fitness was slack. His lineout interference gifted Japan their opening penalty points and while there was one big tackle on the visiting No8, a soft knock-on in a carry soon after and a lost lineout catch showed he wasn’t at his best self. Improved in the second half to lead Ireland to victory but his figures, bar the collection of seven lineout catches, were way down on what he usually contributes.
6. PETER O’MAHONY – 7
A first start in green for the seasoned back-rower since his damaging red card away to Wales in February, he carried sweetly in the collision with Michael Leith and then offloaded for McCloskey to score for a 12-10 lead. That is a skill which Ireland must produce more of. He also won an important ruck penalty with Ireland 12-17 behind and only left the fray on 71 minutes to allow Gavin Coombes his Test debut.
7. JOSH VAN DER FLIER – 7
The esteemed chop tackler has been the player who has been most in and out of Farrell’s XVs the past 17 months but he showed against England how he has added more of a threat while on the ball. Here, though, tackling was the initial priority in a difficult first half and it was only in added time when he carried just short of the line, a signal that boded well as he scored on 49 minutes to drag Ireland level at 24-all. Also threatened the line in the lead-up to Stockdale’s try and still finished top tackler with 13.
8. CAELAN DORIS – 8
Excellent to see the Test level rookie with tonnes of promise back in action following his issues with concussion and he was his team’s most impressive forward despite coughing up some turnovers. For instance, it was his dominant carry that generated the momentum for Ireland’s opening try, and his footwork was also pivotal in the van der Flier score. His effort was a heartwarming bundle of energy.
Try, Ireland!
Jacob Stockdale finishing off a great passage of play for Ireland, making it 33 – 24.#C4Rugby | #IREvJPN pic.twitter.com/H0FVnpjNWr
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) July 3, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments