Match Reporting assessment as part of my sports journalism course.
An Aviva international test match for the ages this was not, but for Andy Farrells’s Ireland it was job done against a stubborn Argentina and the November series back on track after last weeks defeat to New Zealand. An opening half blitz saw Ireland build a healthy 22-9 halftime lead through tries from Jack Crowley, Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy but were frustratingly held scoreless for the entirety of the second half. The miraculously resurgent Pumas turned this one-way traffic test into an enthralling encounter with Juan Cruz Mallia’s try of the match helping cut the deficit as close as 22-19. With yellow cards as frequent as tries, Irelands defense held out the late fightback to close out a game that looked rubber stamped at its interval.
The game began at a hectic pace with Argentinas Matias Moroni believing to have scored the opening try of the game before seeing it chalked due to his own discretion earlier in the phase. The centre seeing his try disallowed and a yellow card flashed in his direction for a high tackle on Crowley. Ireland took advantage of their numerical upper hand to begin to stamp their authority on the contest. From the subsequent penalty, Irelands quick phase play saw Ronan Kelleher stopped short before Crowley crossed the line to add to Moroni’s misery. He was to witness another Ireland score before his return as strong carries from Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose helped move the ball towards Irelands left side to Mack Hansen to jot down another score, allowing the home crowd to rise to their feet in quick succession.
It was Irelands own ill-discipline that allowed Argentina to put themselves on the scoreboard. Prop Finlay Bealham’s yellow card for a croc roll coupled with various Irish penalties saw Argentinian out-half Tomas Albornoz bring his side to 15-9 scoreline, with a Crowley drop goal adding to his team’s tally. Breathing space was afforded to Ireland as some exquisitepassing from a lineout set play saw them break holes in a dogged defence with lock Joe McCarthy bashing his way over the line to give his side a 22-9 lead heading to the break. The scoreline may have looked different if it was not for Irelands brave defensive rearguard holding out against sustained Argentinian pressure on their own try line before the welcome sound of the half time whistle.
If the first half belonged to the Irish attack, they had little to no say on the exciting moments of the second. With Argentina in need of inspiration it was Toulouse’s Mallia that provided four minutes into the restart in fantastic fashion. It was a brilliant solo try from the full back, beginning in his own half, ending beyond Irelands tryline thanks to a brilliant step on Hansen. It was just what Argentina ordered. What Ireland didn’t order was more ill-discipline. However, that was a theme for a long period as McCarthy was yellow carded after straying offside to slow down the pressure his side were facing. It was fortunate for him and his head coach Farrell that the South Americans could not punish Ireland further than another Albornoz penalty. When the game returned to full sides each the scoreline was sitting evenly poised at 22-19 with a quarter of the game remaining.
With benches emptying and lungs struggling, the game became an arm-wrestle with Ireland refusing to bow in front of their expectant and slightly concerned crowd. Irelands substitutes saw milestones at opposite sides of the spectrum with Leinster’s Sam Prendergast and Thomas Clarkson making their test debuts. Cian Healy’s test debut arrived many years earlier as he entered the arena to the standing ovation as he won his record equaling 133rdcap. The game did not see another score but there was time for a fourth and final yellow card as Argentinas Francisco Gomez Kodela was binned for a dangerous clear-out on Irish captain Caelan Doris. It took the sting out of Argentinas game as they had routinely tested Ireland’s defensive shape while keeping Ireland from clinching the game themselves. With time running out and edging closer to the red, a knock on after several phases of swift attack brought a crushing end to a fairytale Argentinian fightback. The final whistle sounded in the 82nd minute with the crowd and the players engulfing the stadium in a roar of relief.
Reflecting on his side’s performance Farrell remarked “We’redelighted to get the win. Last week we had a chance of winning ugly but did it this week, which was a plus.” His counterpart and Leinster alum Felipe Contepomi was slightly despondent but positive in his thoughts. “I’m very proud of the boys, one thing we need to get better at is the start, but we stuck with it and stayed at it.” With Farrell soon departing for the Lions lead role and two more tests to come, there is work to be done. What threatened to become a training exercise evolved into an examination of physical strength and mental fortitude. The bruises and scars may heal and dissipate, but the lessons learned will stay with Farrell’s men for some time to come.
Football : Foreign&Familiar 