IT WAS A change that appeared to be part of the plan for Ireland to up the stakes physically and in that sense, James Ryan delivered.
The second row was involved in the first tackle of Saturday’s win over the Springboks, thundering in Kwagga Smith after Rónan Kelleher had landed a strong shoulder into the South African number eight, Ryan showing his motivation in the opening seconds.
He barely let up until he was called ashore in the 58th minute. Despite not playing the closing quarter, Ryan was among Ireland’s top tacklers with 12 completions from 12 attempts.
He also had more impactful clearouts at the breakdown than any other Irish player, according to Opta, although Ryan admitted he was lucky in the croc roll incident that saw Caelan Doris sin-binned.
“I didn’t have any malice in it,” said Ryan. “It was just awkward the way it ended up. Caelan was a bit unlucky to go off, it could probably have been me.”
Nonetheless, Ryan came up with a big performance that also featured two lineout steals.
Not that Ryan was absorbed by his own showing – he was just thrilled that Ireland’s season ended with a win.
“It makes a huge difference, even to the next week,” said Ryan. “When you are in a sport like this, it’s all in.
“We have been on both sides of it. When you get a win like that, it makes your summer. It’s not an exaggeration. The ball goes over the bar, just the difference it makes to everyone’s summer. It’s the business we’re in, it’s like a drug.”
The man who sent the ball over the bar to win it for Ireland was Ciarán Frawley.
Ryan was delighted for his Leinster team-mate.
“It’s serious going,” said Ryan. “The first one was probably more impressive. It was brilliant. I don’t think he gets fazed by much, which is the right way to be, balls of steel.”
The winning moment reminded Ryan of Ireland’s win over France in Paris in 2018 when Johnny Sexton slotted the game-winning drop goal in the very last act.
“I couldn’t believe that it went over,” said Ryan of Frawley’s game-winning drop goal.
“I said, ‘Nah, it didn’t go over’ when I was standing up and then I saw Frawls and Pete [O’Mahony] coming towards us.
“But then the ref kind of blows his whistle, my heart dropped, I thought he was checking something. I was going, ‘Oh, no.’
“It’s funny, it’s amazing the difference it makes when the ball goes over the bar. It’s fine margins, we have been on both sides of it but the difference it makes to the mood.”
There was a sense within Ireland camp that a big performance was coming. They were disappointed and frustrated with their effort in the first Test defeat.
Having called his players out, Andy Farrell got a big response.
“We were probably disappointed with last week in terms of how we started the first half,” said Ryan.
“The big thing this week was to start well. When you are playing the world champions at home in their back garden, it is such a great opportunity. This week we talked about attacking the game, properly going after it, attacking it. Sometimes on these big days and opportunities, you can go into your shell.
“Whenever we have had our best performances, we have gone after it.”
No better man than Ryan to go after it.
Ryan needs to start, better balance with him in the row and Beirne at 6. Our packs physicality shoots up with Ryan added.
@Hud Hastings: He’s the best defensive collision winner in the country bar none. Only he could lift up Will Skelton and put him backwards. He’s 27 also, will be in his prime next WC
Our Sr options have really evolved over the last 4/5 years. We have a great variation of skill sets with the options we have. Also there’s some serious prospects in the pipeline spread across all 4 provinces which is key. Ryan defo has his doubters & I think the media has had a huge roll in this mindset. When he first came on the scene they went ott. What he does give us tho is a sr who’s excellent at the nuts and bolts. His ruck work, tackle accuracy & impact, his lineout prowess both in the offensive & defensive lo is top drawer. His engine & knowledge of the game is up there too. The combination of him and McCarthy is a physical match for anyone(as was proved last weekend). Beirne excels whether he’s at 5 or 6 so it’ll be interesting to see how Andy etc manage that trio going forward.
With the joy of seeing Frawley’s winning drop goal go over and the South African’s looking for a non existent block nobody seems to have seen the serious head high tackle that Dorris received in his carry leading up to the drop goal. His head whiplashed back in the impact. If that was earlier in the match it looked like a contender for a straight red. It was definitely high and dangerous and there was no mitigation in my (very amateur) opinion. I doubt the citing commission will do anything though.
Anyway, delighted with the win and well done to the team.
@Marcus: agree all that
@Marcus: I just re-watched it… and it definitely looks like a high hit. Doris’ head jolts backwards. However, in an incident like this, where we have no slowmo replays or input from the AR’s it’s almost like I was the referee in a local game. I would have to 1st try to picture what I saw in that one instant… was there potential foul play. Yes. 2nd, how far was I from the incident. 300m. For a red card report to have any credibility, that answer has to be within 10m so immediately I am doubting what I think I saw. 3rd what was the reaction from the ball carrier following the tackle. He got up immediately, no fuss and was ready for action again by the next ruck (which happened to result in a dg). He showed no signs of head contact and didn’t complain to me. Play On, Ireland win.
@Paul Ennis: Oh I agree play on and get the win for sure and that’s what they did. I was just commenting that it looked dodgy and if the end game had not happened how it did then there could well have been a TMO call back flagging it and if we’d not won then there could well have been a citing for it. Sure, Dorris was more interested in helping the team getting into the drop goal position than waving his arms for foul play!
Joel Stransky said that Frawley’s winning drop goal was the best ever.
High praise indeed!
I hope Leo was watching.
Brilliant stuff.
Ryan has been a little bit off it for a while though. After a concussion was it ?
Not any more. That was top class.
Ryan simply has to be in the starting 15. However you work it out, he’s too important to leave out. Beirne’s class obviously endures and Joe Mc is a freakish talent. We’re spoiled for choice. Beirne’s new home might be at 6 for a while.
James ryan my fave player allways has being
If Frawley has balls of steel, do this mean he can never bear children, one would have to pity his lady or gentlemen friends (have to be pc in this modern climate) if they went down there and came upon his balls of steel
@WqM9AAv3: are you 15?
@Oliveraie de Paravieille: everyone is saying he has balls of steel so if everyone is saying it, it must be true.
first drop goal should have been disallowed. ball never touched the ground when he was kicking it.
@Niall English: really thats all you have to say….after everything the boks got in both games from both refs…seriously???
@Niall English: Some boy you are
@Niall English: absolute rubbish, be man enough to give credit where credit is due.
@Niall English: do you have a link with compelling evidence for that? It looks good to me when watching the replays