Hey everybody, hope you’re enjoying your Saturdays so far. It’s Gavan Casey here and I’ll be bringing you live updates from Ireland’s November test with Fiji at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell’s men will be expected to go two from two today after last weekend’s brilliant win over South Africa, but the Fijians pushed the Scots in Edinburgh and will be typically confident of achieving a landmark upset on Irish soil.
It could be a fun 80 minutes in Dublin!
Tadhg Furlong captains Ireland on his 62nd cap. There will be first appearances in green, meanwhile, for Munster men Jeremy Loughman and Jack Crowley, as well as Connacht’s Cian Prendergast.
- 15. Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster) 1 cap
- 14. Robert Baloucoune (Ulster) 3 caps
- 13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 60 caps
- 12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) 7 caps
- 11. Mack Hansen (Connacht/) 7 caps
- 10. Joey Carbery (Munster) 36 caps
- 9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 21 caps
- 1. Jeremy Loughman (Munster) uncapped
- 2. Rob Herring (Ulster) 29 caps
- 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 61 caps, captain
- 4. Kieran Treadwell (Ulster) 9 caps
- 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 34 caps
- 6. Caelan Doris (Leinster) 21 caps
- 7. Nick Timoney (Ulster) 2 caps
- 8. Jack Conan (Leinster) 31 caps
Replacements:
- 16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster) 11 caps
- 17. Cian Healy (Leinster) 119 caps
- 18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster) 3 caps
- 19. Cian Prendergast (Connacht) uncapped
- 20. Max Deegan (Leinster) 1 cap
- 21. Craig Casey (Munster) 5 caps
- 22. Jack Crowley (Munster) uncapped
- 23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 45 caps
Vern Cotter has made three changes for the Fijians’ first trip to Dublin since 2017.
Setareki Tuicuvu switches to fullback to replace the injured Kini Murimurivalu. Jiuta Wainiqolo returns on the right wing, while Vilimoni Botitu drops out at 10 for the the three-times capped Teti Tela.
Tela makes up an all-Fijian Drua half-back partnership with Frank Lomani. Castres’ Adrea Cocagi is set for a debut off the bench.
- 15. Setareki Tuicuvu (Brive) 10
- 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon) 3
- 13. Waisea Nayacalevu (Toulon) (capt) 31
- 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou (Fijian Drua) 2
- 11. Vinaya Habosi (Fijian Drua) 3
- 10. Teti Tela (Fijian Drua) 3
- 9. Frank Lomani (Fijian Drua) 22
- 1. Eroni Mawi (Saracens) 20
- 2. Sam Matavesi (Northampton Saints) 23
- 3. Manasa Saulo (Fijian Drua) 50
- 4. Isoa Nasilasila (Fijian Drua) 2
- 5. Ratu Leone Rotuisolia (Fijian Drua) 1
- 6. Albert Tuisue (Gloucester) 16
- 7. Levani Botia (La Rochelle) 22
- 8. Viliame Mata (Edinburgh) 21
Replacements:
- 16. Mesulame Dolokoto (Fijian Drua) 11
- 17. Livai Natave (Fijian Drua) 1
- 18. Lee-Roy Atalifo (Edinburgh) 17
- 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa (London Irish) 41
- 20. John Dyer (Biarritz Olympique) 4
- 21. Simione Kuruvoli (Fijian Drua) 2
- 22. Ben Volavola (Racing 92) 43
- 23. Adrea Cocagi (Castres Olympique) *
Your skipper, as Ireland seek an 11th win in a row in Dublin.
Anthems being belted out now at the Aviva, with Fiji’s ‘Cibi’ to follow. Kick-off in about five minutes’ time.
Still thousands of empty seats for this very early kick-off. Would imagine there’s a mad dash going on to get to seats.
1′ – Ireland 0-0 Fiji: Teti Tela gets us underway at Lansdowne Road.
2′ – Ireland 0-0 Fiji: Mack Hansen takes to the skies to claim a dodgy-enough-looking crossfield kick by Joey Carbery.
Kieran Treadwell gets isolated a couple of phases later and Eroni Mawi wins a jackal penalty in kickable range for the visitors, who celebrate it like a score.
Tela pulls his kick wide left, however, and Ireland get away with one early.
4′ – Ireland 0-7 Fiji:Oh, what an absolutely sensational score by the visitors!
It’s inside centre Kalaveti Ravouvou who dots down after Vinaya Habosi sent Jamison Gibson-Park for chips down the left wing.
Tela, this time, splits the posts and the Fijians lead by seven.
Meanwhile, Robbie Henshaw has gone off injured for the hosts. Garry Ringrose on.
Bad start for Ireland, here.
9′ – Ireland 0-7 Fiji: Ireland’s discipline is shocking so far. They concede three penalties in quick succession to let Fiji incrementally escape their own half from their own try-line.
12′ – Ireland 0-7 Fiji: Ireland build a few nice phases for the first time but Fiji claim a loose ball on the floor.
Habosi makes a superb burst down the left. He’s skinning lads, the Fijian Drua left wing.
Ireland eventually win a penalty on the floor.
15′ – Ireland 7-7 Fiji: Great score by Ireland, who have settled into this contest, now. It’s Nick Timoney who eventually drives over for his second international try. It came after a sustained period of pressure off the back of a lineout inside the Fijian 22′. Powerful carry from captain Furlong to take the ball to the line just prior to Timoney’s score.
Carbery adds the extras from under the sticks.
19′ – Ireland 7-7 Fiji: The hosts thought they had taken the lead but Kieran Treadwell’s close-range finish was, in fact, held up magnificently by Levani Botia.
Ireland had the advantage, though, after an infringement by Manasa Saulo who gets 10 minutes in the bin. Ireland will attack again from a five-metre lineout.
21′ – Ireland 14-7 Fiji: It’s Timoney with his second! Ireland drive their maul over the Fijian line and the Ulster man dots down at the back of it. Not sure how Rob Herring will feel about that one!
Carbery good again from the tee.
24′ – Ireland 14-10 Fiji: Tela converts a penalty from a central position to reduce Ireland’s lead to four.
This man is on a hat-trick…
26′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji:An excellent Irish score. Botia is smashed by Doris and Treadwell and spills the ball forward.
Jimmy O’Brien comes very close to his first test try and, off the next phase, Gibson-Park swings a wonderful pass from left to right to put Robert Baloucoune in on his side for his second ever Irish score.
Carbery curls a beauty between the posts from the touchline.
29′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji:Fiji build phases in the Irish 22′ but Beirne is rewarded for a brave jackal while getting smashed. Penalty Ireland, and Carbery boots them up to near halfway.
30′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji: Big carry by Doris in midfield and Botia is pinged for going off his feet.
Fijian skipper Waisea Nayacalevu and Mathieu Raynal have a heated debate about the call. Nayacalevu seems to be saying Raynal isn’t telling them what he’s awarding penalties for, which is nonsense. But the penalisation of Botia did look harsh. For all intents and purposes, that was a great pinch.
35′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji:Brilliant defence by Fiji who hold out a sustained Irish attack and tackle Jack Conan into touch as he sought to apply what might have been a game-clinching finish in the right-hand corner.
38′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji: Fiji have made 108 tackles to Ireland’s 37 so far. They win a scrum penalty and, with it, a bit of respite as we approach the break.
40′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji:Tadhg Beirne counter-drives two Fijians off the ball and Ireland go down the left with simple hands. Mack Hansen chips over the top but a Fijian defender is on hand to bundle the ball into touch. Lineout Ireland about 10 yards from the Fijian line.
40′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji: Jeremy Loughman doesn’t get enough support on a carry and Botia is awarded the jackal pen. Fiji survive again!
That’s us for 15 minutes. Catch you on the flipside.
41′ – Ireland 21-10: Carbery gets us back in action for the second 40.
46′ - Ireland 21-10 Fiji: Gloucester’s Albert Tuisue is sent off for a shoulder directly to the chin of Joey Carbery, who is off for a HIA. Correct call.
Fiji are down to 14 for the remainder and Jack Crowley gets a huge reception as he replaces Carbery, initially temporarily.
50′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji: Farrell ringing the changes. Cian Prendergast on for his test debut. Huge reception, too, for captain Furlong who is replaced.
Yellow for Fiji, meanwhile, who are now down to 13 after collapsing an Ireland maul.
52′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji: This is a shocking second half of ball, truth be told.
59′ – Ireland 21-10 Fiji: A nice burst infield by Baloucoune and some lovely touches by Crowley in an Ireland attack but it fizzles out with a wayward crossfield kick by Mack Hansen, who blows one over Jimmy O’Brien’s head.
Raynal takes it back for a penalty for Ireland for a late tackle on halfway.
61′ – Ireland 28-10 Fiji: Mack Hansen waltzes over for a third test try. Strong Irish scrum about eight yards from the Fijian line and Craig Casey fires a tidy skip pass out to the left wing for Ireland’s fourth score. They finally take advantage of the two extra men, and Fiji are now back up to 14.
Crowley’s conversion from the left touchline is spot-on. He’s on to stay, by the way.
64′ – Ireland 28-17 Fiji: What a score by the 14 men. Jiuta Wainiqolo splits the Ireland defence and pops a lovely one-handed offload infield to Simione Kuruvoli, who dashes over.
They’re not finished yet, the visitors!
74′ – Ireland 35-17 Fiji: Ireland take the direct route and Cian Healy crashes over after what felt like about 140 phases.
The veteran loosehead gets his 11th test try.
Crowley taps over the afters.
A bit underwhelming, but it was never going to live up to last weekend, was it?
Still, an 11th straight home win for Ireland — and they’ll look to equal their record under Joe Schmidt when they face Australia next week.
The Wallabies, by the way, have just been beaten by Italy in Florence!
Murray Kinsella and Ciarán Kennedy will have all the Ireland-Fiji coverage you need on The42, so keep an eye.
Cheers for joining us for live updates and chat to you soon!
