Patience a virtue as Sexton arrives
Those conditions are alien to them and it made a bad situation worse for the visitors with so many of their quality players discouraged by their employers to make themselves available for selection on this tour.
Spare a thought too for Jonny Sexton in the build-up to this game. He has waited patently to emulate the achievements of his younger team mates Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney and Cian Healy and win that elusive first cap.
Sexton grew up in a rugby environment, encouraged by the fact that his uncle Willie played for Munster and Ireland with distinction while his father Gerry was scrum half to Moss Finn on the first Irish schools side back in 1975.
He has grown up with the dream of representing his country.
Last May he became the victim of his own success as his greatest achievement in steering Leinster to victory in the Heineken Cup final after injury ruled out Felipe Contepomi meant he was unable to feature for Ireland in the two test series against Canada and USA.
In such circumstances it would be understandable if, when the opportunity did arrive, that he would be somewhat overcome by the prospect. Far from it, in fact he had a dream debut. From the moment he elected to run from deep in the second minute it was clear he was up for it.
For others, Denis Leamy in particular, this game will be less memorable. The attrition levels in the modern game are such that over 20% of a squad are injured at any one time. Against Australia, Luke Fitzgerald was the unfortunate victim with a knee injury that necessitated surgery during the week and a period of rehabilitation that will last six months. Leamy has been so unfortunate with injury over the last few seasons. Thankfully the outlook from the Ireland camp was not so bad last night. That is good news for Munster who will need all their warriors on board for the intense physical battles that await against Perpignan in December.
As internationals go this had a slightly surreal feel about it in a windswept and rain-lashed RDS.
The Fijians looked ill prepared from the outset when they stood for a protracted period through three anthems in the driving rain without the benefit of even a tracksuit top. They looked frozen.
However credit the visitors. They started well and their set piece, obliterated in Murrayfield the previous week, was solid and competitive. Their lineout structure and organisation was excellent throughout, winning 13 of their 15 throws, the two blemishes a result of crocked delivery.
The only mystery for me was why Ireland failed to contest in the air on so many of the Fijian throws. That will hardly be the policy against Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
The scrum was the other area of concern in that opening half. While Fiji introduced two new props this week both Aisake Tarogi and Viliame Seuseu are amateurs who play their domestic rugby with Fijian clubs. It was strange therefore that it took Ireland 30 minutes before attacking a Fijian put in and propelled the tourists backwards.
One wonders why Ireland failed to target the opposition scrum right from the first engagement. Concentration levels clearly were not where they should have been.
Once Brian O’Driscoll intercepted Nicky Little’s pass to score under the posts early in the second half, any potential for a shock result was removed. Thereafter Ireland produced some exquisite handling under pressure, most noticeably from O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy which led to some great tries in the conditions.
Keith Earls and Shane Horgan looked very sharp as they go head to head to replace the injured Fitzgerald for the clash with the world champions. Earls is in pole position and deserves to start unless Kidney sees Horgan’s height as an advantage against Brian Habana.
D’Arcy also did his prospects of a recall at the expense of Paddy Wallace no harm with some excellent handling and good support running. Kidney however will probably stand by Wallace who performed well against the Wallabies.
The most pleasing aspect of Saturday’s test was the solidity of Ireland’s defence. Fiji possess some outstanding broken field runners with the midfield combination of captain Seremaia Bai and Gabiriele Lovobalavu a constant threat. Yet Ireland constructed an impregnable wall across the field that forced the Fijians into lateral running despite retaining possession for several phases at a time. To keep them try-less was a noteworthy achievement.
The other major plus for Kidney was that Ireland were clinical in that second half in converting pressure into points when they got a foothold inside the opposition 22. Five tries was a fitting testimony to their finishing prowess. An immaculate return of seven from seven for Sexton from placed balls given that three of his conversions were from the touchline also underlined his unerring accuracy in a very difficult swirling wind.
However he will make way for Ronan O’Gara next weekend as the Cork man’s experience and tactical nous will be required for a more pressing assignment. Ireland have the opportunity of finishing this calendar year unbeaten and what a boost that would be if that record is to remain intact against the current world champions and Lion tamers South Africa. It would cap a momentous year in Irish rugby. Make no mistake; the Springboks are there for the taking. They have had a horrid time on this tour and even in victory over Italy last Saturday looked less than convincing. Scotland’s shock defeat of Australia in Edinburgh takes from Ireland’s draw against the same opposition somewhat. What better way to atone for that by taking a Springbok scalp in Croke Park.
