IRELAND HEAD COACH Andy Farrell said he was proud of his players after Ireland’s 22-19 win over Joe Schmidt’s Australia.
Farrell’s men trailed 13-5 at the break, having delivered a 40-minute performance full of errors.
But Ireland came from behind twice in the second half to edge a victory over the Wallabies, with replacement hooker Gus McCarthy scoring the winning try in the 73rd minute.
Farrell said Ireland had honest words at the break, although it wasn’t just the head coach delivering the messages.
“We were feeling sorry for ourselves a little bit so there was a bit of honesty from the lads,” said Farrell.
“He [captain Caelan Doris] led the way with the honesty as well. We were feeling sorry for ourselves a little bit because I understand it’s human nature, and we had enough possession and territory to win the game twice over in the first half and we spilt enough ball and made enough errors in the first half to lose two matches as well.
“We were feeling sorry for ourselves but you’ve no right to think that everything’s going to go your own way, all singing, all dancing the whole time.
“So with that in mind, we got over ourselves and I thought we came back strong.
“The big picture of the game is that I’m really proud of the victory because it was hard-fought in the end against a bit of adversity, so delighted to get the win.”
Farrell said he was delighted with the impact of his bench as Ireland overcame the Wallabies in the endgame.
Cian Healy became Ireland’s record caps holder, 21-year-old McCarthy scored the key try, while Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Garry Ringrose, and halfbacks Craig Casey and Jack Crowley all contributed.
“I thought it was excellent, some really good impact from Pete and Andy, Gary Ringrose, the two halfbacks,” said Farrell.
“I thought Gus was excellent again. I mean, he had nerves of steel. A young kid coming on in that type of pressurised situation when things weren’t smooth in the lineout at times, but when he came on he nailed everything and to score the try as well.
“I suppose there’s a little bit of you’ve nothing to lose when you’re behind and the performance isn’t as good as it should be but they didn’t just try to fit in, they tried to add in many departments but mainly with the energy and the grunt.”
21-year-old Sam Prendergast got a big starting chance in Ireland’s number 10 shirt, his second consecutive start there.
Crowley was in the bench role for Ireland, coming on to help Farrell’s men home, with the Ireland head coach happy with both of his out-halves.
“Good, yeah,” said Farrell’s assessment.
“I thought Sam had some lovely stuff. He made some errors, some kicks that weren’t perfect.
“His touch-finding kicks were outstanding and it’s a real feature. Some of the kicks he put up in the air were obviously too long and we needed to fix that, it allowed them to relieve a bit of territory.
“He had some nice play. I don’t know what you thought about the quick tap. There was a water boy on, I think they said, but the referee had given the mark so that’s nice, innovative stuff from him.
“But equally I thought Jack was excellent when he came on. He took hold of the game. The little ball that he put into the corner, a nice weighted kick rather than just putting it out. We got the lineout from that that really kicked us on.
“So delighted with them both.”
The most disappointing aspect for Farrell was how Ireland compounded errors with further mistakes soon after, something that was also apparent in their defeat to New Zealand at the start of this window.
“I mean, if you look at them, there were 14 of them in the first half,” said Farrell.
“That’s a hell of a lot. You obviously take the positives from the fact of being down there in the right parts of the field but I mean, some of them were simple ball in hand and then dropping them. Some of them were lineout stuff.
“A lot of them were a bit fancy – not seeing the pass, just presuming that people are going to be there. Our timing was off a little bit.
“Our stats over the last however many years have been really good in the sense that if we get in front early in the first half, our winning percentage is pretty high. It’s not as great when you’re losing but to be eight points down and find a way is very pleasing for us.”
Thank God for the bench…..never thought I’d say that!
Proud? Proud of scraping by a team that were hockeyed by Scotland last week? Pull the other one Andy
@5sZl1dX2: same team beat the almighty England Ray
Line out complete disaster need a hooker that will throw straight and ryan and Mccarthy need to live up to their big reputation
@frank walsh: paulie ??
@frank walsh: Leinster’s lineout hums along every week with Ryan and McCarthy having very few problems.
Bring O’Connell in to coach it and Beirne to “run” it in the same way he does the worst lineout in Europe for Munster and all of a sudden it’s a disaster.
@teuO6nLS: none of the provinces line outs are statistically very good. Having watched Leinster beat ulster last night neither was impressive except defensively
So much negativity. We won. There were years we never won. Support our team or STFU
@Tony Joyce: we’re top 2 in world and played badly in 3 out last 4 matches.
@Papa Kilo: so what
@Tony Joyce: Glad we won i cant take this negativity anymore i just want to swing at them
@Tony Joyce: how dare you call out Ray and his multiple accounts
The headline “Crowleys impact sees Ireland over the line” does a massive disservice to Craig Casey. He should have been the headline. Forget Crowley v Prendergast. Let’s talk about Casey v Gibson Park.
@Pud: plus the fact that prendergast had a superb game. He oozes class.
It’s a friendly 2 years out from a world cup and we won what are looking for
@Cathal Brennan: we’ve been shocking bar beating a team still hungover after beating Wales something very off at moment.
@Papa Kilo: are we expecting too much from leinster players having to deliver at a high level for club and Country.for some reason they not doing it for Farrell at moment.munster boys did well though.
@Papa Kilo:
@Matt Gilsenan: stupid comment but can’t be helped
@Papa Kilo: Shocking dear god we are a tiny country we win so many games id say we lost 7 games in 3 years won over 20 yes not playing like before the world cup but still winning
It’s been a very underwhelming autumn series. Got out of jail again today. The writing has been on the wall this season, however. Just look at the rubbish being dished out by the provinces. Gets worse every round. Let’s see if munster can improve on the pathetic showing of the other 3 this weekend.
@Ray Ridge: We’re England and we must use every opportunity to make Ireland and its people feel inferior to us
@Ray Ridge: won 3 out off 4 playing badly id take it everyday mr mizerable oh and munster won
@Ray Ridge: Leinster are top of the URC ya pleb hahaha. Ireland outplayed and beat the all conquering Australia without getting out of first gear. What does that say about you and your predictions. Series couldn’t have gone any better. 4 from 5 and plenty to work on and now we know what needs to be improved. Ireland didn’t wake up one morning sh/t£ as you would have people believe with your anti irish rhetoric. Why don’t you go on the English threads and praise the almighty there
The reality is the game is constantly moving and evolving and we have to be willing to go with it. We have played the same way for at least three years and we need to be adaptable which does seem to be a touch lacking. That’s not to say we throw everything out. Some of the innovation off the line out is brilliant but we need to focus on our set piece which are both suspect and then look at how teams have started to counter us. They’re all smart enough guys to recognise this and develop some other wrinkles to the game
Looking at it was a good test. Too many handling errors but it happens. All of the Autumn games we have been giving away cheap penalties. So things can only get better also we looked at a few fresh faces which is always good.
To many none leinster players on the pitch.Beirne,Aki,Hanson,Behlaim should all be dropped and replaced with leinster players.
@Ross Clancy: …learn to spell, !d!0t!
@Ross Clancy: all the money in Dublin and still couldn’t receive an education. It’s true what my grandmother used say, you can’t educate pork
@Ross Clancy: Nice sarcusm
@Ross Clancy: Ross you posted this after 9pm which is way past your bedtime. If it happens again santy will not be bringing you the harry potter Lego set you asked for
Much too much hype about Prendergast – never took the ball to the Aussie defence. Posed no threat. Good kicker from the hand but looked lost when Aussies rumbled forward.