Ireland coach Andy Farrell has defended his fly half Sam Prendergast against criticisms of the player’s defensive frailties, after selecting the 22-year-old to start against the Springboks in Dublin on Saturday.
Prendergast starred in Ireland’s 46-19 victory over Australia at the Aviva Stadium last weekend, when the only blots on his performance were two very obvious missed tackles in the first half, one of which allowed Len Ikitau to score under the posts.
When asked if he had discussed these lapses with the player, Farrell suggested it was unfair for people to focus on one frailty — or “work-on” — when Prendergast’s passing, kicking and general game management had been so impressive.
“I mean, I understand the question and it’s a question that obviously keeps popping up now,” Farrell said. “But I think Sam’s ability as a fly half far outweighs a work-on within his game.
Farrell said it was unfair to focus on one of Prendergast’s frailties when every player has areas that they can improve
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“I thought he was tremendous last week. His skillset has been fantastic for all to see. I think everyone needs to look through a little bit of a work-on. Because everyone’s got work-ons and will continue to have work-ons. That’s up to us as coaches and the rest of the players to keep on working on them.”
As Farrell says, it is a question that keeps popping up, especially given the rivalry between Leinster’s Prendergast and Munster’s Jack Crowley, who is on the bench again against the Springboks.
One area where Crowley has a pronounced advantage is in defence. He is stronger and better built for tackling than the spindly 6ft 4in Prendergast, whose poor footwork means he often ends up making weak “arms-only” tackles.
So when the question popped up again — specifically about Prendergast’s technical frailties — his coach bristled.
Ringrose and Van der Flier are fit to face South Africa this weekend after missing Ireland’s fixtures against Japan and Australia
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“Obviously I understand your question but these are loaded questions because then it’s obvious that we have to talk about that [frailty],” Farrell responded. “Your question could be asked about any single player throughout. Of course we constantly talk to individuals about all aspects of play.
“To think that we’re just focusing on one aspect of one player is not right. For example, I spoke to Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan yesterday about certain aspects of their game — our two leaders and world-class players. They agree with their work-ons. It’s a constant for every single member of every single squad in world rugby.”
As expected, Farrell has selected his strongest available side for this meeting with the world’s top team. Josh van der Flier comes into the back row with skipper Caelan Doris relocating to No8 and Jack Conan dropping to the bench.
In the backs, Garry Ringrose returns in favour of Robbie Henshaw, who was carrying a hamstring niggle at the beginning of the week.
Ireland have won four of their past five meetings against the Springboks, though Farrell conceded that they would need to reproduce the almost freakish levels of physicality that they achieved during the World Cup pool game in Stade de France two years ago, and in the first half of the second Test match in Durban the summer before last.
“It has to be a given because if you don’t show up with that frame of mind you’re on backward steps straight away,” Farrell said. “It is absolutely given in any single Test match that’s for sure but certainly it’s highlighted even more so against the best team in the world at this moment. [Aggression] is part of their DNA. It’s only getting better, isn’t it? The collision work and the carrying and the contact area. If you don’t turn up in that regard you’re in for a tough afternoon.”
Erasmus said that he would be happy to add Nienaber, the Leinster senior coach, to his staff
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The familiarity between the sides guarantees a fiery encounter. This is the fifth game between the sides in the space of four years. Leinster’s RG Snyman is set to make his 50th appearance for the Springboks when he comes off the bench. And then there is Rassie Erasmus, who has never won at the Aviva as a coach, whether with South Africa or Munster, where he spent 18 months between 2016 and 2017.
Just to add spice, Leinster’s senior coach Jacques Nienaber has hinted at a return to the Springboks’ set-up once his contract expires in June of 2027, fuelling old conspiracy theories that he is only in Ireland as part of a reconnaissance mission for his old boss.
When Erasmus was asked about it in Dublin, he did little to douse any potential controversy, admitting that he had met Nienaber for lunch on Wednesday and that he would consider any possibility that might arise in the future.
“We would never want to ruin his relationship and reputation here in Ireland, but if Jacques tells me, or Ireland allow him to consult in the year of 2027, and we have the money to afford him in that year, there’s no egos in our management coaching team,” Erasmus said.
“A brain like him, I think the Irish might also use him, or the English might use him if he’s got that. I don’t know what his contracts say exactly, but yes, we will have a look at that.”
Erasmus has opted not to select Franco Mostert in Dublin even though the red card that the lock received against Italy was overturned, as the decision to rescind came too late in the week.
The teams at Aviva StadiumIreland: Mack Hansen; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt). Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Tom Farrell.South Africa: Damian Willemse; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Boan Venter, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit; Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese. Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.Ireland v South Africa
Aviva Stadium
Saturday, 5.40pm
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