Ireland find way to subdue much-improved Fiji with impressive second half showing

Resumen detallado

Rob Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien scored two tries each as Fiji test Andy Farrell’s men ahead of Springboks match ...

It was ropy for a while, but in some respects Andy Farrell might not be too upset by that because thereafter Ireland found a way to subdue an initially much-improved Fiji.

From 12-7 down nearing the half-hour, and only 17-15 ahead at the halfway point, Ireland pulled clear with four unanswered tries, one of which was created principally by the rampaging James McNabney’s remarkably but sadly short-lived cameo before departing groggily.

The Fijians were always liable to inflict pain, and as so often happens in games with them, at times the game became as loose as a goose. Amid some bad officiating, Ireland lost control for about 15 or 20 minutes in the second period.

Some of Ireland’s early attacking shape was very good, and there was a brace of tries apiece for the wingers Rob Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien.

Also the scrum, importantly with the Boks bruisers coming to town, went very well while several key men are in prime form, among them Andrew Porter, Josh van der Flier and Nick Timoney, who looks like he belongs at this level.

Ryan Baird, athletic, skilful and energetic, made a huge contribution, Sam Prendergast will have his critics but he delivered some truly sublime moments and, roving inventively, Mack Hansen is back; all of which has sharpened Ireland’s attack, which again had plenty of varied kicking.

This was always likely to be a tricky assignment against underrated opponents and most importantly, McNabney apart, no one seemed to ship any knocks.

The player with the unhappiest memories of the night will be Jamie Osborne, who was forced off inside four minutes with an apparent injury to right pectoral area after scragging Fijian hooker Tevita Ikanivere in full flight. He was replaced by Stuart McCloskey, with Bundee Aki shifting to outside.

That apart, initially there were little signs of the difficulties which would be ahead for Ireland. Off a lineout maul and with a penalty advantage, Gibson-Park skipped to Prendergast who pulled the ball out the back for…

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