Five things learnt from Irish defeat
AFP Sport looks at five things that we have learned from Ireland's defeat by world champions New Zealand on Saturday in a rugby international in Dublin. The All Blacks won 21-9.
Peerless Barrett
Beauden Barrett dismissed his being crowned world player of the year when he spoke on Thursday: "I forgot about it on the Monday and it won't have any influence on Saturday." True to form, he produced a superb all-round display to prove the difference between the two sides. His kicked crossfield pass to Malakai Fekitoa set up the first try, he scored a brilliant individual try and was involved in the move for the third and decisive try. However, what pleased coach Steve Hansen most was an improved kicking display by him compared to the defeat in Chicago.
Peyper out of tune
Jaco Peyper's much criticised performance from an Irish point of view in the defeat by France in February was raised before the game and there will be more question marks now. Not only from the Irish as Hansen clearly was not happy with some of the South African referee's decisions but refused to go further for risk he said of 'being fined'. Irish captain Rory Best, who hadn't been happy with Peyper in February, was clearly not won over especially when his request for a review of the third try was declined with the match evenly-balanced at 14-9. "He said he has a team to look at that and that he can’t be influenced too much by the captain. I tried to explain that there was a lot at stake to not take a look. When you have a big game like that and it was a one score game at that time, we need to feel that we have a chance to get a call on that."
All Blacks challenges in the spotlight
The All Blacks defence was in a different league to the one that leaked five tries in Chicago. However, some of the early exchanges left the Irish fuming especially the brutal challenge by Sam Cane on Robbie Henshaw which left him pole-axed on the ground. Another key player from the Chicago heroics, CJ Stander, also went off with a head injury shortly afterwards. Best couched his assessment of whether the Irish felt they had been protected adequately by the officials carefully. "The first one on Robbie, they deemed that to be head on head and not shoulder on head. You have to try roll with those decisions. I’m a parent myself and you don’t like to see people going off on stretchers." Hansen for his part was not best pleased by the line of questioning by Irish broadcaster RTE after the match about the same subject. "Do you want me to tell you my team is dirty? No well let's move on," he snapped.
Irish have depth at last
Losing three key players within the first half hour including playmaker Jonathan Sexton would in the old days have seen the Irish wilt because of a lack of quality replacements. However, the performances of young centre Garry Ringrose, flanker Josh van der Flier and fly-half Paddy Jackson delighted Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. "Yes that was one of the things that I think we have got to be positive about....they are the young guys who are going to bring the team forward, led by the experienced guys like Rory (Best) who will bring them with them."
All Black engine room back in full throttle
Hansen perhaps took most pleasure out of the return to the team of experienced second row duo Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock. It could be argued they made the difference from Chicago, denying the Irish lineout ball they had plundered there from a less experienced pairing. "Sam was colossal, he played on with sheer guts and determination considering he has been out injured since the Rugby Championship," said Hansen.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
Beauden Barrett dismissed his being crowned world player of the year when he spoke on Thursday: "I forgot about it on the Monday and it won't have any influence on Saturday." True to form, he produced a superb all-round display to prove the difference between the two sides. His kicked crossfield pass to Malakai Fekitoa set up the first try, he scored a brilliant individual try and was involved in the move for the third and decisive try. However, what pleased coach Steve Hansen most was an improved kicking display by him compared to the defeat in Chicago.
Peyper out of tune
Jaco Peyper's much criticised performance from an Irish point of view in the defeat by France in February was raised before the game and there will be more question marks now. Not only from the Irish as Hansen clearly was not happy with some of the South African referee's decisions but refused to go further for risk he said of 'being fined'. Irish captain Rory Best, who hadn't been happy with Peyper in February, was clearly not won over especially when his request for a review of the third try was declined with the match evenly-balanced at 14-9. "He said he has a team to look at that and that he can’t be influenced too much by the captain. I tried to explain that there was a lot at stake to not take a look. When you have a big game like that and it was a one score game at that time, we need to feel that we have a chance to get a call on that."
All Blacks challenges in the spotlight
The All Blacks defence was in a different league to the one that leaked five tries in Chicago. However, some of the early exchanges left the Irish fuming especially the brutal challenge by Sam Cane on Robbie Henshaw which left him pole-axed on the ground. Another key player from the Chicago heroics, CJ Stander, also went off with a head injury shortly afterwards. Best couched his assessment of whether the Irish felt they had been protected adequately by the officials carefully. "The first one on Robbie, they deemed that to be head on head and not shoulder on head. You have to try roll with those decisions. I’m a parent myself and you don’t like to see people going off on stretchers." Hansen for his part was not best pleased by the line of questioning by Irish broadcaster RTE after the match about the same subject. "Do you want me to tell you my team is dirty? No well let's move on," he snapped.
Irish have depth at last
Losing three key players within the first half hour including playmaker Jonathan Sexton would in the old days have seen the Irish wilt because of a lack of quality replacements. However, the performances of young centre Garry Ringrose, flanker Josh van der Flier and fly-half Paddy Jackson delighted Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. "Yes that was one of the things that I think we have got to be positive about....they are the young guys who are going to bring the team forward, led by the experienced guys like Rory (Best) who will bring them with them."
All Black engine room back in full throttle
Hansen perhaps took most pleasure out of the return to the team of experienced second row duo Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock. It could be argued they made the difference from Chicago, denying the Irish lineout ball they had plundered there from a less experienced pairing. "Sam was colossal, he played on with sheer guts and determination considering he has been out injured since the Rugby Championship," said Hansen.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre