Ireland vs Wales: Ireland player ratings
Despite having 69% possession Ireland struggled to put Wales away in their Natwest 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. A Jacob Stockdale intercept with the clock in the red wrapped up a 37-27 win for Joe Schmidt’s side, to keep them on track for the Grand Slam.
Ireland player ratings:
Said Dan Biggar’s cues were easier to read in the build-up to this match, however he lost aerial duels with the Wales fly half in the 29th minute and in the 62nd minute – the second was in the build-up to the Aaron Shingler try. A 42nd minute attempted drop kick didn’t quite match Johnny Sexton’s heroics in Paris – not one he’ll want to see again. A nice break in the lead-up to Dan Leavy’s 44th minute try.
Unfortunate to knock on a kick off routine after Wales’ first try. Wonderful incisive run in the 33rd minute to carve open the Wales defence. His pace was very much evident in a 58th minute break and very unlucky not to come up with a score. Taken off as a precaution in the 64th minute with muscle cramp.
After playing twice in November this was his Six Nations debut, replacing the injured Robbie Henshaw. A big hit on Leigh Halfpenny in the first 20 seconds settled his nerves and he was not found wanting in defence all day. Showed his acrobatics to leap high and claim the restart after Wales’ opening penalty. Carried forcefully, constantly punching holes – an excellent performance.
Accidental offside for Wales’ opening penalty. Also spilled a ball in Wales’ 22 in the 10th minute with Ireland having a good attacking platform. Penalised for blocking in the 25th minute to hand Wales’ second penalty. He didn’t let those disappointments affect him however. He showed his power and finishing ability with a brilliant one-handed reach to score on the stroke of half-time. Solid defensively, combined well with Farrell.
- Jacob Stockdale 8
Six tries in six internationals before this one. Made it seven in seven early on. Knocked on in the 23rd minute when attempting a fingertip catch, but he took a couple of high balls after that before half time. Scored the crucial intercept try with the clock in the red. He is now the Six Nations top try scorer with four.
Jacob Stockdale speaks to RugbyPass about being the Six Nations top try scorer
- Jonathan Sexton 6
Warren Gatland spoke before the match that disrupting Sexton and Murray was crucial to success and this was far from a vintage performance from the Leinster man. He missed a penalty directly in front of the posts in the 5th minute when it came off the post and that set the tone from the tee, he missed four kicks in total. His running game was fine, including a sensational skip pass for Jacob Stockdale’s 6th minute try.
Joe Schmidt on defensive over Johnny Sexton’s performance
Did excellently to juggle Keith Earls pass in the leadup to the Dan Leavy try. Service to Sexton faultless. His box kicking wasn’t to his usual standard, with a few over-cooked. Stepped up to kick Ireland’s final penalty to give them the 10-point advantage they needed.
A couple of good carries in the opening 20 minutes, making himself the first receiver. Continued that throughout. One of his finest performances in an Ireland shirt. Got a 54th minute try that his performance deserved. Came off in the 65th minute for Jack McGrath. Man-of-the-match.
Had a couple of lineouts to the tail stolen which will annoy him, but his usual industrious self in the loose. There in support for Dan Leavy’s early second half try.
Replaced Tadhg Furlong after three minutes against Italy, this was his first Six Nations start. Handled his duel with Rob Evans admirably and also got through his fair share of ball carrying. An able deputy for Furlong and rightly praised by Joe Schmidt in the aftermath.
Another singled out by Joe Schmidt in his post-match press conference. A big hit on Gareth Davies in the 16th minute illustrated his line speed and workrate. His mobility around the park meant Iain Henderson’s absence wasn’t keenly felt.
Ireland’s go-to man in the lineout, but also one of his better performances in the loose.
- Peter O’Mahoney 7
Won a penalty in the 14th minute off a turnover, one which Sexton failed to convert. One of the players who was key to Ireland winning the breakdown battle.
- Dan Leavy 9
A constant menace in the breakdown winning a multitude of turnovers. A try scorer in the 45th minute, his third try in seven appearances. Ireland’s top tackler, with 12, a near faultless display.
Another solid performance from Ireland’s number eight. Gave away a 79th minute penalty in Wales’ 22 to help them gain better field position as they chased a winning try, but thankfully for the Munster man it didn’t prove costly.
10 minutes isn’t long to make an impression, but part of a front row that won a crucial late penalty.
A 65th minute substitute for Cian Healy and continued where his clubmate left off with a few carries. Loosehead an area of real strength for Ireland.
A 67th minute substitute for Andrew Porter. Won a scrum penalty in the 75th minute, to help stretch Ireland’s lead to 10 points.
Replaced Toner, nothing of note in the debit or credit ledger.
Replaced O’Mahony and did nothing wrong.
- Kieran Marmion N/A
Left on the bench and probably best too as his game management was poor in the closing stages against Italy.
Replaced Sexton with three minutes to go. Kicked the final conversion.
A 65th minute sub for the Keith Earls. Absent for Steff Evans’ try.
Warren Gatland gives rare post-match apology to Joe Schmidt
Comments on RugbyPass
Dad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
129 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
129 Go to commentsPacific Lions, cry me a river
129 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
129 Go to commentsGuys. Cancel the World Cup champions after this analysis. It changes everything. Ben knows. We’ll have to unengrave the Bokke off the trophy and hand it to the ABs, now that I’ve been enlightened about this illegitimate win. This needs to be done. Now!
129 Go to commentsBen is right here though, Springboks were woefully poor with the advantage they had throughout this game. The France match was heroic because that was an even contest this match had it taken place in Rugby Championship would have been an easy win for NZ. If anything this match should tell the Bok coaches that a lot of this team should be changed. They beat this same NZ team by record margin with the same circumstances but with a different core. They bring back the tried and tested guys and they nearly botch this game.
129 Go to commentsI knew who wrote this article from the first few words in the headline…lol. The red card actually did the ABs a favour. It galvanized them, only then did they step up a gear. Before that there was zero momentum.
129 Go to commentsFirstly the foul on Bongi was a planned move just like the NZ master plan with Bryce Lawrence you kiwis are filthy fux perhaps try to play a cleaner game next time I doubt that’s possible tho but don’t worry world rugby is on yr side they trying to take away all the BOKS strengths to help all you weakling as Jeremy Clarkson would say LA OO ZA ERR..🤣
129 Go to commentsAbsolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
129 Go to commentsHo hum.
129 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
129 Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
1 Go to commentsLet’s be honest. The draw and scheduling in the World Cup was a joke but South Africa found a way after having to go the hard (nearly impossible) way to the Cup Final via France and England. NZ had a hard game against France (lost) and had 5 weeks to prepare for the Quarter, 3 weeks knowing it was Ireland. NZ theerfore had to win one big game against an Irish team who played SA and then Scotland 7 days before. They won and it was de facto a semi final because they were playing a relatively weak Argentina team and it was a walk over. In the final a very rested NZ team was playing a very tired SA team and still lost. They couldn’t score more than 11 points. Put another way SA had to find a way to win while tired and they achieved that. NZ should thank their lucky stars that they fixed the scheduling in 2015 otherwise they would be dealing with a Bok treble.
129 Go to commentsPerhaps if Bongi wasn’t targeted and removed from the game in the first 3 minutes it would have been quite a different game. Maybe if NZ also faced the same competition the Boks faced to their win NZ would have looked quite different. The final score shows who outplayed who.
129 Go to commentsRubbish article! Abuladze played most of Exeters matches when fit. He got injured against Glasgow a while ago and is out for the rest of the season, thats why he hasnt played for Exeter and Georgia recently. Do some proper research next time!
1 Go to commentsGotta love it when kids throw their toys out the pram and can’t hack it with the grown ups debate. Here’s looking at you turlough! 😉🤣
148 Go to commentsThey lost the game period move on
129 Go to commentsSpringboks won! Stop winging. You can change the game however much you and your rugby colonizing IRB want to and the Springboks will win you at that too. Your mind is colonized my friend get a life
129 Go to commentsBen, nobody gets fooled anymore by selective and biased data to support an hypothesis. Games are decided on such small margins these days that you win some and lose some, and dominance is a thing of the rugby past. Look at the RWC circle of fortune…. Ireland beats SA who beat France who beat NZ who beat Ireland. And so it goes on. Match officials help to eliminate real indiscretions. If they had been with us years before, no doubt results would have been different. Remember Andy Haden’s dive from a lineout in 1978 for which a match-wining penalty was awarded? Wales should have beaten the ABs that day. They took the loss like the gentlemen they were.
129 Go to comments