Even though Ireland didn’t secure a win in Pretoria last Saturday, their resilient spirit made them a formidable team till the last minute of the game. Their conviction that they can triumph over any team they face worldwide has increased. The team’s determination to avoid defeat, displayed by their scoring two late tries, will accompany them to Kings Park in Durban this week.
Ireland will review and learn from the rulings that didn’t favour them and their own errors. They’ll also draw encouragement from the endgame, where substitute players Conor Murray and Ryan Baird outscored their hosts by twice as much. The tenacity of the team to close a seven-point gap signifies their immense inner resolve and trust in their strategy and execution.
Fellow players must resonate with Lowe’s wavelength
James Lowe probably desired to disappear after his fumbled attempt to assist Cheslin Kolbe, the fastest rugby player in the world, inadvertently resulting in the South African winger scoring a fortuitous try in the second half. Lowe’s nimble effort to keep the ball in play by leaping into touch and passing the ball back before making contact with the ground was a considerable exhibition of skill.
However, it’s regrettable that the rest of the Irish team failed to anticipate his next move. On expectation of Lowe’s creative manoeuvres, other team members should have swiftly and strategically positioned themselves to retrieve the fumbled ball. Lowe took the right decision and wound up severely penalised largely due to a deficiency of alertness.
An early panic cost them dearly
The first quarter of Saturday’s match was a rare occasion when Ireland appeared exceptionally vulnerable to an aggressive opponent. Willie le Roux, the fullback of the Springboks, appeared to manipulate time as his composed drive and kicks incited terror in the Irish ranks from both ends.
The initial try by Kurt-Lee Arendse caught Josh van der Flier off-guard, and Jamie Osborne was evaded. During this stage, Ireland had to fiercely resist the Springbok’s forceful play. However, with Garry Ringrose stepping in for the injured Robbie Henshaw as the outside centre, the Irish defence seemed more comfortable in managing peripheral attacks.
A critical marginal call disfavours Ireland.
One might question the decision-making of Luke Pearce, the referee, when the TMO highlighted a foul that seemed to occur right under his watch. The incident involved Rónan Kelleher engaging in a ruck while Bundee Aki skillfully extracted the ball to initiate an exceptional run down the right wing by James Lowe. Pearce was advised to look for signs of improper play during this interaction.
Indeed, there appeared to be an illicit manoeuvre although whether it was due to the repositioning of players on the ground is a matter of debate. Regardless, it led to Ireland’s try being nullified – a decision that was within the rules but left a bitter aftertaste.
The importance of precision in goal kicking is something Ireland must pay careful attention to in the second Test. Jack Crowley and Springbok fly-half Handrè Pollard were both not at their best with the tee, which could prove to be a determining factor in the outcome of the succeeding match in Durban.
A slight shift in Irish strategy saw Crowley opt for an early goal kick that got his team on the scoreboard with a 7-3 lead, instead of the usual approach of lineout and a subsequent driving maul, often featuring Dan Sheehan. This modification in approach indicates a change in Ireland’s perspective towards scoring.
The strong lineside defensive capabilities of South African players like Pieter-Steph du Toit and Franco Mostert also influenced this decision. Additionally, Ireland faced challenges in breaking through the Springboks’ defensive line. Consequently, successful goal kicks are crucial.