Bernard Jackman reveals where ‘there’s still doubts’ over Sam Prendergast and why he expects All Blacks to try and exploit it
Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast and former hooker Bernard Jackman (inset).
Although Sam Prendergast has shown improvement in the execution of his defensive duties, the All Blacks will still target him in that area when they host Ireland in Auckland on Saturday.
That is the word from former Connacht, Leinster and Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman ahead of the eagerly anticipated Nations Championship encounter at Eden Park.
Much has been said about Ireland and Leinster fly-half Prendergast‘s defensive frailties in the past but Jackman said “he looked better” in that department during the latter stages of the United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign with his province.
‘His defence was under massive scrutiny’
“Yeah, it’s something. He wasn’t in the squad for the Champions Cup final, so his form dipped, his defence was under massive scrutiny, and Leinster decided to take him out of the firing line,” he told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin.
“So, he wasn’t a starter or on the bench, even though he was fit for that Bordeaux game.
“Leinster lost, and he got back in the team for the last three rounds of the URC and he actually played quite well. Defensively, he looked better.”
Despite that improvement, Jackman believes there are still question marks over Prendergast’s ability to defend and feels it was a facet of his play which the Wallabies did not exploit when they faced Ireland in their Nations Championship opener in Sydney earlier this month – a mistake which he does not expect the All Blacks to make.
“I would say, probably against Australia, I think Australia will regret not testing him there more, and so there’s still doubts there,” he said.
“It’s going to take a little while to really be comfortable that he’s a top international defender, and I would be shocked if New Zealand don’t really try and exploit that.”
Ireland great describes All Blacks game as ‘ultimate benchmark’ with ‘no excuses available’
Devlin pointed out that All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea did not launch any attacks with barnstorming runs off the back of the scrum in his side’s Nations Championship Test against Italy in Wellington last week.
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He said several international sides use that tactic to directly apply pressure on opposing defences in their fly-half channel.
Other concerns with Prendergast’s defensive game
Jackman agreed but said there were other parts of Prendergast’s defensive game where he is also battling.
“Not just Ardie Savea and the power and the brute force. He (Prendergast) also, in the backfield, he doesn’t move that well defensively. It’s not just a tackle, it’s actually the footwork,” he explained.
“So, if they can isolate him in the backfield, that will ask serious questions of him.
“He’s a super talented player, he’s got a great rugby brain, he’s a playmaker, he has a good kicking game, but until he answers that defensive question, it’s a question that’s going to be asked every big Test match.
“So, it’s certainly an area I would expect him to get tested.
“Recently, he’s shown a big improvement there, but there’s still slight doubts.”