Sin-binned Prendergast shines as Eire romp to devastating Fiji win

Eire produced their most convincing efficiency of the Autumn Nations Collection as they thumped Fiji 52-17 on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

It took simply seven minutes for the hosts to take the lead by Caelan Doris earlier than tries from Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey and Mack Hansen gave them a 28-3 lead on the interval.

Bundee Aki rapidly added a fifth following the break in what was an excellent efficiency from the within centre who was neglected final weekend.

Fiji supplied extra offensively after the interval and had been capable of get their first strive on the board by Kitione Salawa.

Following a debut strive for Gus McCarthy, Mick Byrne’s facet added a second as Setareki Turagacoke stormed over the road following very good work from the proficient Caleb Muntz.

Eire continued to dominate although as Fiji gave away fouls and Hansen doubled his tally on the day earlier than Ronan Kelleher added an eighth strive late on.

There was loads of dialogue within the build-up to the afternoon conflict over fly-half Sam Prendergast, who was making his first Take a look at match begin for Eire.

The battle for Johnny Sexton’s No. 10 jersey following his retirement has been an intriguing one with Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley seeming the probably candidates.

However it was 21-year-old Prendergast who was given the chance this afternoon and after an early yellow card, which he was maybe lucky wasn’t upgraded to a pink following a excessive sort out, he took his probability nicely.

It was considered one of his a number of intelligent crossfield kicks that discovered Hansen in acres on the right-hand facet to attain his first strive of the afternoon whereas he made 5 of his seven conversions – solely lacking from means out huge.

It wasn’t the proper afternoon for the Leinster man however it was definitely considered one of promise.

After being neglected of the facet in opposition to Argentina final weekend, Bundee Aki returned to the beginning line-up in spectacular style.

The within centre was influential in driving Eire ahead, making 17 carries over a mixed 176 metres and his efficiency was awarded with a strive quickly after half-time.

Eire: J Osborne 6; M Hansen 8, R Henshaw 7, B Aki 9*, J Stockdale 7; S Prendergast 8, C Casey 7; A Porter 7, G McCarthy 7, F Bealha 6; J McCarthy 7, T Beirne 7; C Izuchukwu 7, J van der Flier 8, C Doris 8.

Replacements: R Kelleher 7, T O’Toole 6, T Clarkson 6, I Henderson 6, C Prendergas 6t, C Murray 7, C Frawley 6, S McCloskey 6.

Fiji: V Karawalevu 6; J Wainiqolo 7, W Nayacalevu 6, J Tuisova 7, P Loganimasi 6; C.Muntz 8, F Lomani 7; E Mawi 7, T Ikanivere 6, L Tagi 7; M Vocevoce 6, T Mayanavanua 6; R Derenalagi 6, Okay Salawa 7, E Canakaivata 6.

Replacements: S Matavesi 6, H Hetet 6, S Tawake 6, S Turagacoke 7, A Tuisue 5, P Matawalu 6, V Botitu 5, S Maqala 5.

6′ – TRY! IRELAND 7-0 FIJI (DORIS): Eire rapidly work it off to the supporting runners from the maul and it is popped inside to Doris who can recover from the road for the primary strive of the afternoon.

16′ – TRY! IRELAND 14-0 FIJI (VAN DER FLIER): Fiji give away the foul on the breakdown and Eire take it rapidly. Doris works it to Van Der Flier who will get Eire over the road.

31′ – TRY! IRELAND 21-3 FIJI (CASEY): Eire choose to kick into contact and as soon as once more drive for the road within the maul following the line-out. It is finally popped off to Casey by McCarthy and he leaps over the road within the nook.

40+2′ – TRY! IRELAND 28-3 FIJI (HANSEN): Eire are lucky to be awarded the scrum following the line-out. They capitalise beautifully although because it’s labored out to Prendergast who performs a stunning deft crossfield kick for Hansen to run on to on the best wing to recover from the road with acres of area.

48′ – TRY! IRELAND 35-3 FIJI (AKI): Following the line-out there’s some sharp passing from Eire. An improvised offload from Casey permits it to be labored to Aki who breaks by and will get over the road.

55′ – TRY! IRELAND 35-10 FIJI (SALAWA): After various phases, Fiji battle to recover from the five-metre line however Salawa is finally capable of burst by and stretch his arm out to get it over the road for Fiji’s first strive of the afternoon.

64′ – TRY! IRELAND 42-10 FIJI (McCARTHY): Following the line-out on the best, Eire drive extremely within the maul and Gus McCarthy is ready to get away on the final second to recover from the road on his debut.

66′ – TRY! IRELAND 42-17 FIJI (TURAGACOKE): Fiji reply instantly! Muntz bursts by the Irish defence earlier than producing an outstanding offload to Turagacoke who’s bursting by to take it on and recover from the road.

69′ – TRY! IRELAND 47-17 FIJI (HANSEN): Eire take the free-kick rapidly and after various phases it is labored out to Hansen on the best by Casey and the winger can fly for the road for his second of the day.

79′ – TRY! IRELAND 52-17 FIJI (KELLEHER): Eire look set to maul from the line-out however Doris retrieves it and pops it out to Kelleher on the best and he can carry it on earlier than stepping inside to take it over the road.

This afternoon’s victory marks the primary time Eire have gained successive video games since February.