Ireland player ratings v Australia: ‘Splendid’ display by ‘odd boots’ seized initiative but another ‘fully charged’ performer also impressed
Mack Hansen breaks forward for Ireland who has a second start in Jamison Gibson-Park, inset.
Here’s how we rated Andy Farrell’s Ireland players in their six-try, 46-19 win over Australia in the Autumn Nations Series encounter at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Ireland player ratings
15 Mack Hansen: Said by Farrell to have trained the house down last Tuesday after his return to Ireland camp following injury, the Australian blew the roof off the Aviva Stadium with his brilliant early contribution. The winger had been chosen as an emergency full-back and any concerns about this punt were obliterated with his sublime sixth, 11th and 28th minute finishes for a splendid hat-trick. Wore odd boots, too. It could quickly become a trend. Received a deserved ovation when subbed off on 72 minutes. 9
14 Tommy O’Brien: One of only a couple of players to catch the eye in the underwhelming win over Japan last weekend, the Test rookie showed his patience on a cold night for players out wide. Had nothing to do until Sam Prendergast targeted him on the hoof with a cross-kick and he did enough in the fetch to set up Hansen for his third try. He was then denied a score of his own on 61 minutes off another Prendergast cross-kick catch due to a knock-on in the build-up. Suggested he has the potential to make the shirt his own for the Six Nations. 6
13 Robbie Henshaw: Outside centre isn’t his usual role in the Ireland team but we have always liked what he provides one position further out than usual. The extra time to scan is often good for him and it was exactly that here. Check out how he turned his back on the Australian defence before passing to help create the space for Ireland’s second try. Committed to the very end. See his support line off Bundee Aki and his ruck clear-out in the creation of the 77th-minute Ryan Baird try. Was rewarded for that unselfishness in the final minute his try off Jamison Gibson-Park’s cross-kick. 7
12 Stuart McCloskey: Was warming to the task of playing with Irish attack that was building up a head of steam when the injury that he had been recently nursing prematurely ended his night after just 27 minutes. It was a pity as the few early carries he had were a tonic Ireland needed after a few frustrating weekends. 5
Right through the posts ☄️
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11 James Lowe: Another of Farrell’s Lions whose start to the new season left much to be desired, but he was better here with his desire to help Ireland win obvious. Man-handling an Australian defender, dragging him behind the try-line to win his team the five-metre scrum that set up Hansen for the hat-trick, was his highlight. There were several errors, but he did enough not to make them a serious issue. 6
10 Sam Prendergast: Back in ahead of Jack Crowley, he stylishly justified his return with the wicked influence he wielded in attack with delicate hands and neat kicking. Yes, his critics will point out the ineffective tackle put in on the try-scoring Len Ikitau, but the youngster knows how to get an attack ticking – which is his primary job in Farrell’s set-up. Created one try with a cross-kick and would have made a second but for a knock-on earlier in the play. A reputation restoring 61 minutes that included a smartly taken drop goal at an important time in the second half. 8
9 Jamison Gibson-Park: The most important player when it comes to getting this Ireland attack on top gear, he wasn’t on his game a fortnight ago in the loss to New Zealand. But the batteries were definitely fully charged here as the tempo he provided was so integral to inflicting a hammering on Australia. Showed he was up for this with his alertness to race to the mark and quickly tap that penalty that ignited the opening score. Finished a super effort for the sweet cross-kick that ushered in a delighted Henshaw. 9
The forwards
8 Jack Conan: Held onto the No.8 role despite the return of Caelan Doris to fitness and immediate form, but the Lions Test pick didn’t deliver in an anonymous display where his contributions were way down from what he normally produces. It said a lot that he was sacrificed eight minutes into the second half for the more impactful Nick Timoney, which enabled Doris to switch into his more natural role. 4
7 Caelan Doris (c): Ireland needed him to shine in the carry but he was quiet in this area across the opening half, dedicating himself instead to tackling duties. Came into his own, though, following the exit of Conan, and his energy considerably helped his team to finish with a flourish. His 70th-minute try was expertly taken, but more important than that was the sight of him some minutes earlier gobbling up a botched Australian lineout in his own 22 and blasting forward at a time when the win wasn’t yet guaranteed. The massive cheer this generated was deserved. 8
6 Ryan Baird: We came into this Autumn Nations Series questioning whether Baird had it in him to string together a series of impressive performances to confirm he has what it takes to be a long-term starter. What we can say now is he is definitely going in the right direction, and this committed effort was capped by his 77th-minute try. The thing is, he can’t rest on this as what the Springboks will bring next weekend will be his biggest examination yet. 8
5 Tadhg Beirne: There can be no question about his defensive commitment to getting Ireland back on the horse. His stats in this department were up there with Baird and Doris. Where we can be critical, though, is the offside penalty that invited Australia to kick down the line and turn what would have been a comfortable 19-7 interval advantage for the Irish into a sweaty 19-14 situation. That slip aside, the hope will be that this improved performance will lead to even better next weekend. 7
Return of the Mack 😎🔥
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4 James Ryan: A decent display with plenty of industry to stop the Australians from being more of a nuisance. Exited on 57 minutes but he had done plenty by then, even offering himself in the carry, an area of play that isn’t a trademark characteristic. 7
3 Tadhg Furlong: Came into this with noise swirling about the effectiveness of the Irish set-piece, but exited 17 minutes into the second period having more than done his bit to alleviate those concerns. Still had plenty in the tank, as his return for Thomas Clarkson near the finish saw him take part in the late Irish flourish. 7
2 Dan Sheehan: The Action Man was again not as prominent as he usually is. The closest he came to a highlight was the 49th-minute drive at the line that was given as a held-up. However, rather than complain too much about this low-frills display, we’ll compliment him for the improvement in the Irish lineout. This set-piece area needed an uptick in accuracy and he provided it during his 57-minute involvement. 5
1 Paddy McCarthy: Farrell’s persistence in allowing Cian Healy to live on borrowed time in the position behind Andrew Porter before eventually retiring illustrated the grave concern that existed over who would be next up. It’s a headache that is now alleviated. Having Porter pay the selection price for his all-round inefficiencies last weekend was a canny move by the head coach, and rookie McCarthy didn’t let him down on his first start. A 48-minute display to be proud of, with his tackling and lineout lifting prominent. 7
Replacements: There were questions about the impact of Ireland’s bench following the series-opening loss to New Zealand, but it was very useful when giving Japan the late run-around and it was likewise here in putting the Australians to the sword. A highlight was the 62nd-minute scrum penalty that was kicked to push the score to 25-14. 6
