Samoan scare and subsequent victory down to enduring value and qualities of this Irish team, says scrumhalf
For the first time all night, the Irish maul began to gain some traction, before Murray went off-script by dummying to the open side, then pirouetting before feeding Jacob Stockdale and winning the race to his chip, and thereafter Ireland were never headed.
“I was more concerned about the lineout we were about to face. I didn’t actually hear it [the official award]. Someone told me about it though. A lot of people [were] going for Samoa, naturally, but a win is a win in this situation.” “It’s a good test for us. Tonga are a similar-type team and we would expect to be a lot better, I think that goes without saying but the weather, we expected the weather conditions and we were pretty good in the first half I thought, just a few set-pieces and executing a few things.
“I thought we did a few good things in the first half, the scoreline didn’t reflect it and in the second half we found a way. Senior players came on and guided us around the place really and we found a way to get it done, which is pleasing. A bolter in 2011, to a key man in the world-class hub of the team with Johnny Sexton in 2015 and 2019, Murray is now a wise presence, not to mention remaining as calm as ever, as well as bringing vital physicality, that strong kicking game and decision-making.
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