Ireland player ratings vs Wales
Few would have given a battered, bruised and broken Ireland much hope of turning around their World Cup warm-up series after they humiliatingly limped away from Twickenham on August 24.
Coming out on the wrong side of a 57-point, eight-try English onslaught was no way for Joe Schmidt’s squad to strike an optimistic tone heading to Japan.
Just two weeks, later, though, the sense of dread and trepidation has lessened before they fly to the Far East on Wednesday, Saturday’s largely first-choice XV adding to the morale-boosting riposte generated last weekend in Cardiff by a mostly second-string selection.
Beating Wales on the trot two weeks running is no mean feat and the energetic gallop the now No1 ranked Irish generated in the second half of this encounter in Dublin will apply serious balm to the mental scars inflicted at Twickenham.
It wasn’t perfect. Trailing 10-7 at the interval amid concerns surrounding Rory Best at the lineout and Johnny Sexton’s level of rustiness, they appeared to be in a bind in Dublin where the atmosphere was muted during the opening 40 minutes.
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However, they went on to produce a dominant second-half display where the 19-10 result was irrevocably tipped their way with two tries in an eight-minute spell, forwards Tadhg Furlong and James Ryan touching down.
Ryan was immense, rounding off his day with the official man of the match, but the influence of some other Irish players didn’t go unnoticed either. Here’s how RugbyPass rated their performance:
ROB KEARNEY – 7
Needed a convincing performance to get over the ghosts of Twickenham and he provided it. Reminding people of his ability to shut the gate was a priority and he did it twice to perfection in the opening half, first snuffing out the danger of Leigh Halfpenny’s grubber that nearly had George North in and then assisting Robbie Henshaw to ensure Dan Biggar didn’t ground the ball to score after his halfway thieving of Sexton. Safe as houses under the garryowen, he was excellent going forward, powering past Jonathan Davis for a well-taken 22nd minute try. Remained alert and was on hand to shut the gate again on 70 minutes when Wales broke from the 22 to halfway.
Full Time score – IRELAND 19-10 WALES #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/bkSRIrei3w
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 7, 2019
JORDAN LARMOUR – 5
Had little to do in the first half, so much so that towards the end of it he was involved on the same side of the pitch as fellow winger Keith Earls. Showed one decent step in the Welsh 22 with a rare possession, but defensively wasn’t tested. Came into it way more in the second half, his impetus boosted by forcing an early second-half penalty with work over the ball on the Welsh side. Late quick-tap nearly brought a try for Dave Kilcoyne but the sub was held up over the line.
ROBBIE HENSHAW – 7
Was a bundle of energy in his first Aviva Stadium Test appearance since the awkwardness of his start at full-back in the 2019 Six Nations opener defeat to England. He needed to prove his fitness and he did this with a variety of midfield interventions. He was excellently aggressive with first-half tackles on Ross Moriarty and Hadleigh Parkes, gutsy with a strong run off defensive scrum ball and then he produced the try-saving tackle that stopped Biggar finishing off a halfway intercept. Dominated even more in the second half.
BUNDEE AKI – 7
Widely criticised after the tame London surrender, he gave it socks last weekend in Cardiff to restore some lost credibility and he largely continued in that vein even though he will be disappointed at not getting off the line quick enough to get a hit in on the try-scoring Parkes. It was his dancing feet that initially left Rhys Patchell looking lost. Largely carried and tackled well throughout.
The perfect send off #RugbyWorldCup #Japan2019 pic.twitter.com/coCAvTU11D
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 7, 2019
KEITH EARLS – 4
This was his first appearance of the season and he needed a good one. It didn’t occur, though. As happened with Larmour, this wasn’t an adventure for wide men, even if there was more traffic on his flank. Was turned by Halfpenny’s excellent grubber that nearly resulted in a North score. Then became an RWC injury doubt when limping away on 53 minutes to be replaced by Garry Ringrose. It emerged later that Earls could have played on but management decided not to take that risk.
JONATHAN SEXTON – 6
Looked rusty initially in his first appearance of the four-match warm-up programme. It started with a kick out to touch on the full from a 22-metre drop-out and culminated in the intercept that was picked off by Biggar on halfway that gave Wales the pressure and territory which eventually resulted in Parkes’ lead-taking try. On the plus side, he gave Kearney the assist and tried to mix things up, putting in a grubber and running some loops. That was enough of an encouragement for him to look more like himself in the second half and he put his pack where it needed to be to turn the result around. Departed on 64 minutes for Jack Carty, who comfortably saw the win out.
CONOR MURRAY – 6
After a bang ended his appearance at Twickenham early, he would have wanted to wield way more of an influence here. His passing was snappy enough but contestable kicking, a massive part of Ireland’s attack when they ruled the world and the skies during their imperious 2018 year, is still not quite accurate enough. Tackled aggressively, which was a good sign, and his last act was halting another Welsh run before he exited on 72 minutes for Luke McGrath.
Follow all the action from Ireland versus Wales in Dublin on the RugbyPass live blog
https://t.co/T7x66BFjiY— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 7, 2019
CIAN HEALY – 5
Dave Kilcoyne set the loosehead bar very high with his all-action 45 minutes in Cardiff last weekend and this match largely passed Healy by. The game was a non-event in the opening 20 and when it started to bubble, he took a bang that necessitated a HIA and the introduction of Kilcoyne for the start of the second half. The sub was full of enterprise, such as forcing Elliot Dee into tossing a pass forward on halfway on 55.
RORY BEST – 6
On his last Test appearance in Dublin, the under-fire veteran skipper came in looking for the nuts and bolts of his game to function well. However, his lineout again had its struggles, his first two throws going astray before Ryan came to his rescue by calling the next two on himself which were won. Best was more effective in defence than at Twickenham, making a poach to win a penalty as Wales rucked in the Irish 22 in the first half. Led his pack much better after the break and it was his decision to scrum down for the game-breaking Furlong try rather than taking an easy three points in front of the posts. Left to a standing ovation on 53 minutes.
TADHG FURLONG – 7
Looked lethargic and low on gas in London, but he prospered here with a far greater physical presence. He locked the scrum, carried and put in his tackles. Reward eventually came his way when he barrelled over for his 51st-minute score. He then bullied Wales at the next scrum to help win a penalty and he left the scene on 57 minutes for Andrew Porter.
After 120 caps for @IrishRugby, the crowd rises as one to applaud captain @RoryBest2 off the pitch for the final time at the Aviva ???#C4rugby #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/Cp0DV46OkV
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) September 7, 2019
JAMES RYAN – 8
So much about Ireland’s vitality is now heavily dependant on the influence he is capable of delivering. He was the key man here and it was his aggressiveness that helped bring pedestrian early exchanges to life. Had no qualms rescuing Best at the lineout after the first two throws were lost and it was his catch that secured the possession for Kearney’s try in the other corner. Held up over the line on 47 minutes, he made sure he wasn’t stopped a second time 12 minutes later, squirming away from Aaron Wainwright to score.
JEAN KLEYN – 5
The player in the crosshairs in the controversy over Devin Toner’s omission from the World Cup squad, he gave away the early penalty that Halfpenny should have opened the scores with. Fared better after that and was at heart of the maul hold-up that earned Ireland a scrum from a Wales carry in the 22. Carried some ball, something Toner rarely used to do, but is still very raw at Test level and was gone for Iain Henderson on 53 minutes.
CJ STANDER – 7
Was like a jumbo struggling to get up off the runway at Twickenham and he started slowly again here, disappointment etched on his face when beaten at the lineout by Alun Wyn Jones. Bounced back by racing all over Patchell in the lead-up to Kearney’s try, an intervention that was the sparkle that led to him becoming way more positively involved and he finished as Ireland’s best ball carrier.
Our coach. Our Captain.
Thank you Joe Schmidt & @rorybest2 for all the great days.
Go well in Japan. #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/NxcU88AhnF
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 7, 2019
JOSH VAN DER FLIER – 6
Still needs to convince he has what it takes to star at the World Cup at openside, even though there were some encouraging pointers here. He was decent counter-rucking Welsh breakdown ball, he was busy tackling while he also demonstrated a nice turn of pace when breaking just before the interval. Helped shade Wales after the break and Ireland were well ahead when he left for Rhys Ruddock on the hour.
JACK CONAN – 7
It was encouraging to see him get another start at No8 as he does need a run of games in the position if he is to really establish himself as the real deal at this level. Did his chances no harm here with some decent enterprise. Ireland needed ball carriers and he wasn’t shy, a second-half break from the base of a scrum nearly resulting in him scoring.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
76 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
9 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
9 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
9 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
9 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
9 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to comments