Kidney all smiles as Ireland turn it on
On the plus side, new out-half Jonathan Sexton emerged with the man-of-the-match award while Keith Earls continues to impress in both his versatility and scoring prowess. On the negative side, Denis Leamy sustained a serious ankle injury which will be a blow both to Kidney and to Munster boss Tony McGahan ahead of a crucial phase in the Heineken Cup.
There was never a time when Ireland looked troubled although inevitably the proud Fijians made them fight for superiority. Somehow though, one just knew that Ireland would pull away in the end; with the help of a marvellous display from young Sexton allied to stunning contributions from Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan, Earls and of course, captain Brian O’Driscoll.
Fiji deserve due credit for trying their best to shore up a leaking scrum, for an improvement (from the Scotland game) out of touch and for some gallant power-play through the middle of the pitch. Yet with Paul O’Connell in control, Stephen Ferris up for any physical confrontation, sheer bravery was never going to be enough.
As the match went, Ireland have every reason to be pleased with the first-half return when they dominated possession and territory against a strong wind and gradually exerted total control over a visiting scrum that struggled throughout.
Fiji probably knew it was going to be a difficult night when they came out for a very short pre-match warm up in torrential rain.
Sexton settled instantly when he broke aggressively to spark an early Irish attack and he also kicked the opening points with a seventh-minute penalty.
Embattled Fiji fell further behind to a marvellous 18th minute Earls try and Sexton converted to make it 10-0.
Eventually, the visitors began to secure some better possession, allowing their experienced out-half Nicky Little to reduce the deficit to 10-3 with a well-struck penalty but Sexton responded to set up a 13-3 Ireland lead.
Little added another penalty early in the second half to cut the margin to seven but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Moments later O’Driscoll intercepted a Little pass and ran 40 metres to score with Sexton’s conversion giving Ireland a 20-6 advantage.
Earls finished off a bright Irish back-line move on 63 minutes and Sexton’s touch line conversion was inch perfect to extend the lead to 27-6.
Struggling to cope with the increased pace of the match, Fiji conceded a fourth try four minutes later when Rob Kearney ploughed through and was awarded the score after an input from the video referee. Sexton added the extras.
Sheer persistence paid off for Shane Horgan three minutes from the end when his strength proved too much for an overworked and tired Fijian defence and again Sexton’s kicking was inch perfect.
IRELAND: R. Kearney (Leinster), S. Horgan (Leinster), B. O’Driscoll (Leinster, captain), G. D’Arcy (Leinster), K. Earls (Munster), J. Sexton (Leinster), E. Reddan (Leinster), T. Court (Ulster), J. Flannery (Munster), J. Hayes (Munster), L. Cullen (Leinster), P. O’Connell (Munster), S. Ferris (Ulster), J. Heaslip (Leinster), D. Leamy (Munster).
Replacements: S. O’Brien (Leinster) for Leamy (46, injured), T. O’Leary (Munster) for Reddan (54) T. Buckley (Buckley) for Hayes (60), D. O’Callaghan (Munster) for O’Connell (67), A. Trimble (Ulster) for O’Driscoll (both 65), S. Cronin (Connacht) for Flannery (76), P. Wallace (Ulster) for Kearney (77).
FIJI: N. Ligairi (Brive), V. Goneva (Vaturu), G. Lovobalavu (Toulon), S. Baikeinuku (Clermont, captain), N. Roko (Yokogawa), N. Little (Bath), M. Rauluni (Saracens), A. Tarogi (Suvan Highlanders), Y. Veikoso (Mavoci), V. Seuseu (Korovuto), W. Lewaravu (London Welsh), I. Rawaqa (Fighting Bulls) A. Satala (Gloucester), A. Boko (Tau), A. Qera (Gloucester).
Replacements: L. Nakarawa (Army) for Rawaqa (40),. T Nagusa (Ulster) for Ligairi (54), S. Bola (Police) for Qera, I. Ledua (FTG) for Veikoso, G. Dewes (Esher) for Tarogi (all 66).
Referee: M. Junkers (South Africa).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
