Ireland 'literally couldn’t string five phases of rugby together'

Former Scotland head coach turned television pundit Matt Williams and Lions’ winger Shane Horgan did not hold back in their critique of Ireland’s tactics against New Zealand in the opening Autumn Nation Series game in Dublin on Friday night.

Ireland’s 19-game winning streak at the Aviva Stadium ended with a 23-13 loss to New Zealand. The All Blacks capitalized on Ireland’s errors and indiscipline, securing the win through six Damian McKenzie penalties and a late try by Will Jordan, marking their first victory in Dublin since 2016.

Ireland’s refusal to play the conditions vexed both pundits.

Williams singled out both Ireland’s fly-half performances as he slammed the team’s tactical shortcomings on Virgin Media Sports. The former Leinter boss suggested that Ireland’s game management care of Jack Crowley – and Ciaran Frawley when he came on – was not up to standard.

The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

“We’re sitting here going, it’s a wet night. Why haven’t we got a kicking game that’s banging the ball into the corners? Why are we not playing territory on a wet night?” he questioned.

Williams also pointed out that Ireland seemed to be playing as though they were in completely different conditions, remarking: “We’re still playing like we’re down on the Highveld in South Africa in July.”

Williams singled out Ireland’s fly-halves, who in his view had missed the mark. “Both the 10s had poor games. They didn’t guide the Green Team around in any way,” he stated. “Compared to McKenzie, who kicked very well off the tee and ran well, and in the end set up a very good try… That was a poor game for both those Irish 10s.

“We didn’t kick judiciously in general play, and it was a wet night. They tried to play a highly structured, short-passing game in very difficult conditions,” Williams said.

Ulster second-row Iain Henderson was also highlighted for his poor discipline.

“You had Ireland giving away some crazy penalties there late in the game that invited Damian McKenzie and New Zealand into your half with ridiculous penalties,” he said. “There was one there by Henderson, who I really respect, but that was a crazy penalty. He makes a tackle, he’s off his feet, and he won’t let the ball go. Three points, three points, three points, and all of a sudden you invite New Zealand back into a game and they don’t need a lot of inviting.”

According to fellow pundit Shane Horgan, Ireland’s inability to retain possession stymied any chance of an effective kicking strategy. “One of the issues they had was they failed to retain possession so many times they never even got in a position to kick the ball, that was an element of,” he commented. “They literally couldn’t string five phases of rugby together. It was quite remarkable. It was very error-prone.”

“There was space on the field, and in fairness, they were close to breaking through on a number of occasions, but just the pass wasn’t right, or there was an overrun, or there was a slight delay.”

“I’m not saying it’s necessarily hubris because when they play like that, they often get rewards for it, but it wasn’t firing tonight, and they kept on going,” he said. “It’s almost in their minds they’re going, ‘Actually, it’s almost there. We can get it, we can get it.’”