Ireland beat Fiji 52-17 at the Aviva Stadium in their Autumn Nations Series encounter
Judgment has to be kept in the context of a disappointing and ill-disciplined Fijian side but after that anticlimactic opening night against the All Blacks, this reshaped Irish team showed distinct signs of rediscovering more of themselves again.
Prendergast must have been relieved to escape further censure than a yellow card after catching Kitione Salawa with a high shot on a day when the Fijians left plenty of imprints on Irish rib cages, not least on replacement fullback Ciaran Frawley, who took a fair amount of punishment. As with the All Blacks’ game, three anthems, the presidential greeting and the Fijian prematch ‘Cibi’ mad for a somewhat lengthy prematch preamble. The crowd counted down to kick-off and then waited for something to happen, Ireland happy to oblige.
In his absence, Fiji manipulated the 14-man Irish defence nicely when Muntz picked out Craig Casey on the edge to locate lock Mesake Vocevoce and Luke Tagi was well tackled by Cormac Izuchukwu, as was the supporting winger Jiuta Wainiqolo by Beirne when reaching out just short of the line. Some Irish players deserved to be on danger money. Ciaran Frawley, on for Osborne at fullback, was hit hard and slightly late in his exposed rib cage by Mawi before the other prop, all 150kg of Tagi, caught Casey’s standing leg.
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