'They're a good side': Andy Farrell warns Ireland that Japan can’t be discounted

Ireland’s Thomas Clarkson scores his side's 5th try of the match. Picture: Photosport/David Neilson

Wedged between Tests against the Wallabies and All Blacks, a clash against the Japanese might at first appear like a grand time to rest some chargers at the end of a long year, but Andy Farrell says the Brave Blossoms’ shock win over Italy proves they can’t be discounted.

While Ireland scraped home against the Wallabies 33-31 in Sydney on Saturday, the Brave Blossoms produced the upset of the opening week of the Nations Championship by smashing Italy 27-10 in Tokyo.

Given Italy’s development over the past few years, including wins over the Wallabies, Scotland and England over the past nine months, Japan’s 17-point win showed that the international game is indeed alive and well.

The potential of a banana peel Test, as well as Ireland’s patchy first-up Nations Championship performance, means Farrell could be inclined to roll out a stronger performance in Newcastle next Saturday despite the season finale against the All Blacks a week later.

Farrell will still likely make some changes, including a forced one following the concussion to replacement loose-head prop Jeremy Loughman, but the Irish coach said he was a strong believer in ensuring there’s quality amongst some fresh faces.

“It is, but they're a good side, Japan, and you saw the result with the Maoris (38-31) last week,” Farrell said. “That wasn't the full-strength side.

“They play some good rugby and we all know how improved Italy are. I've not watched it (yet), but that's a hell of a win.

“To give people time in the saddle, experience etc at an international level, I certainly believe you've got to put them in a good team as well, so we'll see who earns the right to do that.” 

Farrell said Ulster flyer Robert Baloucoune could still be in the mix despite being a late scratching on Saturday because of a hamstring issue.

“It's just a tweak, yeah. Didn’t want to risk him,” Farrell insisted.

Loughman’s concussion will likely see Billy Bohan, the 20-year-old Connacht loose-head prop, earn his first cap.

Bohan’s Connacht teammate Sam Illo is another who is firmly in the hunt, especially if stalwart Tadhg Furlong is given a week to freshen up ahead of the Eden Park assignment.

Farrell also made it clear that fatigue was not a subject on tour.

“Honestly, it doesn't even get mentioned,” he said. “They love coming into camp and being together and trying to improve and trying to take our game to another level. Jet lag and the end of season has never been mentioned by anyone.” 

Shoring up the set-piece will be one of Farrell’s big priorities over the next week, with Ireland failing to put the Wallabies to the sword by letting slip opportunities inside the opposition half.

“I thought we had enough pressure within the second half to keep the foot on the throw, but we let them off time and time again, so I suppose that would be the biggest one,” he said.

“But you're right, the set-piece is always going to be important. We had a little bit of pressure on the set-piece, certainly lineout wise.” Ireland’s usually solid defensive line was also cut to pieces on several occasions, with loose-forward Rob Valetini and centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii running slicing through against the grain.

Indeed, the Wallabies made ten clean breaks to four during the Saturday scare.

Farrell said the defensive pressure came off the back of their inability to slow the Wallabies’ breakdown.

“Well, because of the speed of ball and how the breakdown was, they were onto the breakdown attacking-wise before the tackle was completed. That's difficult to stop speed-wise,” he said.

“We became a bit disconnected away from the ball and they found, with their flowing rugby, people coming around the corner, they found a few tight-five forwards not connected enough, and that's because of the speed of the ball, so they created that.” 

The heart-in-the-mouth finish ensured Farrell will have plenty of rope to crack the whip this week, but the long-serving coach said he was pleased with his side’s ability to come up with the goods when needed.

“That type of game threw everything at them, and they found a way,” he said. “That's the most pleasing thing.” While Ireland’s lineout struggled, Farrell had several men who stood up.

Joe McCarthy toiled well, as did Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park was first-class, Sam Prendergast dusted off a couple of heavy hits and stood up when required, Stuart McCloskey ran hard and straight, and Hugo Keenan was elite. While Ireland also got something out of Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Beirne off the bench.

Farrell said he was thrilled for Prendergast to stand up and send the match-winning conversion over.

“It was a lovely, positive strike,” Farrell said.

“It wasn't something that just found its way over. It was direct and it had a proper meaning to it as well, so that's great for him.

“His touchline kicking was excellent as well, so it's a good day for Sam.”

AUSTRALIA: J Campbell (T Wright 78); M Jorgensen, J-A Suaalii, L Ikitau, D Pietsch; C Gordon (B Donaldson 57), R Lonergan (T McDermott 33); A Bell (J Slipper 54), J Nasser (B Paenga-Amosa 54), A Alaalatoa (T Tupou 54); J Williams, J Canham (L Shaw 59); R Valetini (T Hooper 69), F McReight, H Wilson (capt).

IRELAND: H Keenan; J O’Brien, G Ringrose (B Aki 59), S McCloskey, J Osborne (C Frawley 59); S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; T O’Toole (J Loughman 51-59), D Sheehan (capt) (R Kelleher 60), T Furlong (T Clarkson 51); J McCarthy, J Ryan; C Prendergast (T Beirne 51), J van der Flier (N Timoney 51), J Conan.

Referee: B O’Keefe (New Zealand)