Ireland scored eight tries as the likes of 21-year-old hooker Gus McCarthy impressed.
THIS WAS SEEN as possibly being the strongest Fiji team ever to visit Dublin and while Mick Byrne’s men will be disappointed with their indisciplined performance, Andy Farrell’s Ireland didn’t give them much scope to shine.
21-year-old out-half Sam Prendergast probably feared his first Test start was over in the eighth minute when he was sin-binned for a high tackle that needed an off-field review, but he returned from that yellow to guide Ireland’s attack sharply and kick well. Jamie Osborne, still only 23, was brilliant at fullback for 28 minutes until he was forced off by injury, with Ciarán Frawley shining as his replacement, the Leinster playmaker shipping some massive Fijian hits as he kept coming back for more. Frawley linked beautifully with Prendergast on a few occasions.
Fiji’s total lack of discipline in the first half was particularly damaging to their hopes and though they scored second half tries through Kitione Salawa and Setareki Turagacoke, they were second best by some distance. He launched an exciting counter-attack and won two high balls in the opening minutes, the second of which saw him tackled in the air. Ireland went to touch down the left and opportunity beckoned.
Ireland managed that sin-bin period superbly, winning it 7-3. Fiji went close a couple of times but the Irish defence clung on. Bundee Aki and Andrew Porter forced turnovers either side of Fiji wing Jiuta Wainiqolo coming up just short after an exciting build-up, with the Fijians also overthrowing a lineout in the Irish 22 during that period.
Ireland were creating lots of chances though and Casey finished sharply in the right corner for their third try off a smart offload by hooker McCarthy after he broke off the Irish maul. Prendergast nailed the extra two points from the right touchline. They were back within striking range only minutes later and Aki got a well-deserved score, even if it came in contentious circumstances as Fijian lock Mesake Vocevoce appeared to be obstructed by referee Davidson as he attempted to get at Gus McCarthy before the hooker sent Aki over.
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