Emerging Ireland trounced Western Force 29-24 in a fierce/stern struggle, piecing together a performance that even saw them top unbeaten teams in the inaugural match round. The win against the Australian Super Rugby franchise gave them an edge, and this was further amplified by the fact that the team had several international Wallaby players.
Coach Simon Easterby expressed his satisfaction about his team’s dedication and effort, drawing particular attention to the starting quarter’s three-try salvo that took place at Bloemfontein’s Toyota Stadium. He expressed that there was a strong determination to excel during the match, stating that if the team maintained a united front, it would make them a formidable adversary.
The first three tries bore testament to this determination, and Easterby noted that more opportunities could have been grasped. Despite a minor setback with a water break disrupting their tempo, the team managed to retain their tenacity and kept their focus on attacking the game, showing their prowess in the first 20 minutes.
Last season’s Division 1A semi-final saw a recap with Terenure triumphing over Lansdowne 28-22. Emerging Ireland was then steered to victory over Western Force by Sam Prendergast, showcasing a well-fought win. Leinster’s game strategy in the opening half-hour sealed the fate of Benetton as they kept a clean record. On the other hand, Ireland suffered for their missed opportunities as their Canadian hosts rode on their winning streak.
Easterby had previously noted that Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu would be instrumental in their success. They lived up to their expectations with an impressive game. Prendergast, in particular, played brilliantly, managing the game effectively and showcasing excellent kicking skills, including a remarkable 75-metre torpedo effort. Despite missing one penalty effort in the second half, he redeemed himself by accomplishing a more challenging one shortly after.
The coach singled out Prendergast for his exceptional performance on the tour, praising his exemplary leadership both in-game and outside. By driving the team towards adopting the aggressive strategy, he proved why he was important to Easterby and his plans.
Today’s 80-minute performance showcased impressive line-kicking, efficient delivery, and seamless distribution; attributes we know him for, but he magnified it today, maintaining the highest of standards. The player roster included phenomenal performances from the likes of Andrew Osborne and Chay Mullins, with Seán O’Brien demonstrating strength, and Hugh Cooney and Jude Postlethwaite outdoing themselves in the Irish midfield. Ethan Coughlan shone defensively and disrupted play effectively.
Alex Kendellen, recognised as ‘man of the match’, excelled in his tackling and breakdown work, combating fierce competition from notable players like Sean Jansen, Izuchukwu, and Gus McCarthy. Alex Soroka and Ronan Foxe ensured the stability of the Irish scrum. Not to forget the youngest pack members, Alex Usanov and Conor O’Tighearnaigh, who outperformed themselves, the entire pack, and substitutes alike, who provided much-needed drive and vitality towards the nail-biting finale of the game.
The Irish team displayed magnificent offensive rugby throughout the initial 20 minutes, characterised by intelligent running lines, excellent depth, offloading in and outside the tackle, and adept timing of the pass. Irish inside centre Postlethwaite was superbly dominant in physical contact and pivotal for the first two scoring tries of his team. He aced a turning point in the game with a skilful intercept by O’Tighearnaigh and was a defining figure in Postlethwaite’s try from the lineout, outmanoeuvring a tackler to touch down for points.
Prendergast displayed his skill in successful conversions with a pivotal assist from Postlethwaite, who swatted three defenders away inside the Force 22, allowing Osborne to outshine Ronan Leahy and give Mullins his scoring run. A brilliant third try was the result of an initial break from Cooney following a Soroka turnover, with McCarthy, Usanov and O’Tighearnaigh advancing the play that ultimately led to Irish number eight Jansen crossing the try line.
During a strenuous water break at the 20-minute mark due to intense heat, Western Force managed to regroup, closing the score gap to 19-14 against the Irish side. This was credited to tries scored by both Mac Grealy and Justin Landsman, taking advantage of an Irish turnover at the breakdown.
The first half ended on a robust note for Ireland, despite having a try disqualified for obstruction and a player deficit after Issak Fines-Leleiwasa from Western Force was handed a yellow card for a head-to-head with Mullins. Ireland took full advantage, finishing strong at 26-14, thanks to their exemplary captain Kendellen who scored from a lineout maul.
The start of the second half proved challenging for Ireland; they racked up four penalties in the initial nine minutes, costing them a player, flanker Soroka, to the sin-bin. It also enabled Force’s hooker, Nic Dolly to score, narrowing the scoreline to 26-21 after a conversion by Coby Miln, with half an hour still on the clock.
The match lost some fluidity after Australian international, Darcy Swain was also shown a yellow, with both team benches being cleared. The Irish brought in Scott Wilson, the tighthead prop, to fill in at loosehead, giving him precious game time.
Despite missing a kick, Prendergast scored a penalty, only to see his team’s second try of the match ruled out for obstruction once again. Crucial turnovers by substitute hooker, Danny Sheahan, saved the day for Ireland as they weathered a Miln penalty, keeping it to a five-point deficit at 29-24 with only eight seconds of play left.
The Force pushed to Ireland’s 22 before giving away a penalty, fittingly forced by Kendellen. Under the guidance of Easterby, the uninjured team is now preparing for the final match of the three-part series against the Cheetahs this upcoming Wednesday.
In the scoring chronology, Postlethwaite commenced the game with a try and a conversion by Prendergast at the 6th minute, securing a 7-0 lead. By the 14th minute, Mullins had added another try, expanding the lead to 12-0. By the 18th minute, Jansen scored a try complemented with a Prendergast conversion, inflating the lead to 19-0. However, by the 20th minute, Grealy’s try accompanied by a Burey conversion put the opposing team on the scoreboard, reducing the lead to 19-7. At the 25th minute marker, Landman’s try and Burey’s conversion further decreased the lead to 19-14. Kendellen finished the first half with a try complemented by a Prendergast conversion, culminating in a 26-14 lead for Emerging Ireland by half-time.
Following the intermission, at 50 minutes, Dolly’s try along with Miln’s conversion, stalked the lead to 26-21. Prendergast scored a penalty at 76 minutes, expanding the lead to 29-21. Miln’s penalty at 79 minutes, narrowed the lead to settle the score at 29-24 in favour of Emerging Ireland.
The Emerging Ireland squad featured A Osborne from Naas/Leinster; C Mullins from Ireland Sevens/Connacht, H Cooney from Clontarf/Leinster and J Postlethwaite from City of Armagh/Ulster. S O’Brien (Clontarf/Munster), S Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster); and E Coughlan from Shannon/Munster also played. A Usanov (Clontarf/Leinster), G McCarthy (UCD/Leinster), R Foxe (Garryowen/Munster), C Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster), C O’Tighearnaigh (UCD/Leinster), A Soroka (Clontarf/Leinster), A Kendellen (The captain, UCC/Munster), and S Jansen (Connacht) also took part in the game.
Substitutions: S Wilson (QUB/Ulster) came on for Usanov, J Aungier (Clontarf/Connacht) replaced Foxe, and C Foley (Lansdowne/Leinster) was swapped with Coughlan, all at 51 minutes; E O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) substituted O’Tighearnaigh at 54 minutes; S Edogbo (UCC/Munster) took over from Soroka at 60 minutes; H Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht) replaced Mullins at 65 minutes; C Tector (Lansdowne/Leinster) joined in place of Postlethwaite at 65 minutes; D Sheahan (Cork Con/Munster) relieved McCarthy at 66 minutes. A Soroka received a yellow card after 50 minutes.
WESTERN FORCE roll-call: M Grealy; J Landman, H Potter, S Tomkinson, R Leahy; M Burey, I Fines-Leleiwasa; H Hoopert, N Dolly, T Robertson; S Carter, D Swain; W Harris, N Champion de Crespigny, R Prinsep captaining the side.
Substitutions: C Miln substituted Burey at 36 minutes; H Robertson entered for Fines-Leleiwasa, T Horton relieved Dolly, and M Pearce swapped with Hoopert, all at 53 minutes; T Tauakipulu replaced Robertson and L Faifua subbed for Princep, both at 58 minutes; T Nofoagatotoa came in for Harris and D Palu replaced Tomkinson, both at 68 minutes.
Yellow cards were handed out to I Fines-Leleiwasa at 39 minutes and D Swain at 58 minutes.
H van Rooyen from South Africa officiated the match.