Australia's scrum-half Nic White kicks the ball during the Autumn Nations Series international rugby union match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on Saturday. Photograph: Paul Faith/ AFP/ Getty ImagesYou might have seen Nic White, the Australian scrumhalf, go off for a Head Injury Assessment in the second half of the match on Saturday. As White was picking himself off the ground after making contact, he clearly wobbled. His feet were not steady.
Andy Farrell hoped to learn some things about his team. Given that it is about 10 months from the Rugby World Cup, depth in the squad in some key positions is an ongoing issue and a work in progress. The coach will be pleased with how Ireland closed out the match against a poor Australian side and with the team’s collective defensive performance in the first half.
On the upside, Ireland won the three matches against world champions South Africa, Fiji and Australia. In most previous years one of those would have been lost. Coming on the back of the historic series win over New Zealand during the summer is a positive indicator that the team has progressed.
Linked to but different from the HIA issue, coaches need to wise up and referees too. The dangerous tackle on Joey Carbery during the Fiji game was disgracefully reckless and the player involved was rightly shown the red card. Afterwards Fiji coach Vern Cotter staunchly claimed that his player Albert Tuisue did not deserve to be sent to the line for the high tackle – a shoulder directly into face.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: IrishTimesSport - 🏆 2. / 99 Read more »