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Farrell says 43-15 win over Fiji flattered Ireland

Andy Farrell said Ireland's 43-15 Nations Championship win over Fiji flattered his side, as James McNabney and Jamie Osborne look set to miss South Africa.

Livefeed News DeskUpdated Β· 3 min read
Ireland rugby head coach Andy Farrell
Andy Farrell, Jan 2020.jpg by RTÉ Sport, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick answer

Ireland beat Fiji 43-15 at the Aviva Stadium in the Nations Championship, scoring seven tries for a bonus point. Head coach Andy Farrell said he was pleased with the win but thought the scoreline "flattered us a little bit". Debutant James McNabney and centre Jamie Osborne are set to miss next week's match with South Africa.

Key facts

  • Ireland beat Fiji 43-15 in the Nations Championship at the Aviva Stadium.
  • Ireland sit third in the Northern Hemisphere table, behind England on points difference and a point behind France.
  • James McNabney left his debut with a head injury and is ruled out of the South Africa game under the 12-day return to play protocols.
  • Jamie Osborne went off in the fourth minute with what Farrell said looks like a pec muscle injury.
  • Ireland host South Africa at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday.

What did Andy Farrell say about the Fiji win?

Andy Farrell was neither scathing nor delighted after Ireland's 43-15 Nations Championship win over Fiji at the Aviva Stadium. "I'm pleased to get the win, especially the scoreline. I thought it flattered us a little bit," the Ireland head coach said.

He pointed out that Ireland were five points down after 25 minutes against a side that was winning the physical battle. "I thought they were winning collisions, good in the air, good on the floor, running really physically through the line," Farrell said, adding that Fiji have taken "some big scalps" when playing like that.

Farrell also described the match as stop-start, partly because of Ireland's own errors and partly because of lengthy "try or no try" reviews. His conclusion was simple: wins earned under pressure "are all pretty precious".

How the match unfolded

It was tight for 40 minutes. Rob Baloucoune scored two tries to give Ireland a 17-15 lead at half-time. Ireland pulled away in the last 25 minutes, with Kelleher securing the bonus point before Porter added the fifth try.

Nick Timoney finished the seventh, bursting through two Fijian tacklers to score under the posts after a pass from Craig Casey. Fiji should have had a late try of their own, but Juta Wainiqolo, last season's top try scorer in the Top 14, fumbled the ball over the line after chipping the Irish defence.

Recent history explains why Farrell's verdict drew attention. After a scratchy 35-17 win over Fiji in the autumn of 2022 he was unusually critical, while he mostly saw positives in a 52-17 victory two years ago.

What the players said

Timoney told ITV Sport he was not happy with the whole game, citing "scrappy moments in first half" but praising the side's resilience after the break. Baloucoune said Ireland "came out well in the second half and didn't feel sorry for ourselves".

Who is injured for South Africa?

Ulster back-rower James McNabney made two huge carries on debut, the second taking him to within inches of a try, before a head injury ended his night. Farrell said McNabney was joking in the changing room and could remember both breaks. "I reckon it's the best cameo of three-and-a-half minutes or whatever it was on a debut in Irish history really," he said.

McNabney now joins Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Sean Jansen in missing next week's game because of the mandatory 12-day return to play protocols. Farrell said McNabney had been in Ireland's thoughts "100 per cent" for that match.

Jamie Osborne went off in the fourth minute. "It looks like a pec muscle, so that doesn't look too good," Farrell said. Sam Illo also left for a head injury assessment and was going through the protocols after the game.

Where Ireland stand before the Springboks

The result left Ireland third in the Northern Hemisphere table, behind England on points difference and a point adrift of France. They have two wins from two this November.

South Africa, the back-to-back world champions, come to the Aviva Stadium next Saturday. Farrell agreed with Fiji coach Jake White that Fiji had done Ireland a favour by playing a little like the Springboks. "We'll learn some good lessons and use them in the right manner for next week," Farrell said.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score in Ireland vs Fiji?

Ireland won 43-15 at the Aviva Stadium in the Nations Championship, scoring seven tries. They led only 17-15 at half-time.

Why did Andy Farrell say the scoreline flattered Ireland?

Farrell said Fiji were winning collisions and the breakdown, and Ireland were five points down after 25 minutes. He still called wins under pressure "pretty precious".

Is James McNabney out of the South Africa game?

Yes. Farrell confirmed McNabney will miss the match under the mandatory 12-day return to play protocols after a head injury on debut.

What happened to Jamie Osborne?

Osborne went off in the fourth minute, and Farrell said it looks like a pec muscle injury. He is set to miss the South Africa game.

When do Ireland play South Africa?

Ireland host South Africa at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday.

Topics: andy farrellireland rugbyfijinations championshipjames mcnabneysouth africa

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