Ireland player ratings versus South Africa – Castle Lager Test One – RugbyPass

England play their first match in New Zealand for a decade as they look to shock the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday morning.
Wales are on the ropes and in an arena where results matter, they need to give the Welsh public something to cheer about
Ireland player ratings live from Loftus Versfeld: After all the talk, South Africa’s big day finally arrived and they had their chance to avenge last September’s Rugby World Cup pool defeat. They may have gone on to be reigning back-to-back world champions the following month in France, but their 8-13 setback to the Irish in Paris still rankled and fed into the hype surrounding the opener to this two-Test series in Pretoria.
Ireland fielded in Pretoria with just two of the starting backline from that Stade de France success 10 months ago – Bundee Aki and James Lowe – but with six of the same run-on pack. They endured a sticky start with the Springboks suggesting they could run away with it after scoring a third-minute try through Kurt-Lee Arendse.
However, 10 points was the widest the first half margin stretched to and with the Irish growing in defiance, Jamie Osborne’s classy finish on 35 minutes gave us a tense 8-13 contest that remained unchanged until a calamitous 65th-minute James Lowe error. In keeping a Handre Pollard touchfinder in play, it gave Cheslin Kolbe a gift of a try.
The cruel irony was that just eight minutes earlier, Lowe thought he had pulled Ireland level with a dashing break from inside his own half. Unfortunately, after a lengthy TMO review, sub hooker Ronan Kelleher was penalised for a ruck infringement and the try was ruled out.
With Pollard converting the Kolbe try, the Boks, who incredibly changed six of their starting pack in a single substitution on 50 minutes, now had an 8-20 advantage, but a bizarre finish was about to unfold after a yellow card for Arendse.
Ireland’s best player Caelan Doris was held up over the line but sub Conor Murray raced in after the restart following a burst from fellow replacement Kelleher. Jack Crowley’s conversion left it 15-20 with time remaining but Lowe then crazily tried to play Pollard’s restart in the in-goal area instead of letting it go dead. That was madness and a penalty try and yellow card for Kelleher was the outcome of the ensuing five-metre scrum.
Ireland did have the final say, Ryan Baird getting in at the corner, but the ball falling from the tee left Crowley missing the conversion from the hands and time then ran out, resulting in a 20-27 loss for Andy Farrell’s team who will rue not attacking the game as well as they could in the opening. Here are the Ireland player ratings:
15. Jamie Osborne – 7
What a venue to be given you Test debut. Looked the part too. Safe hands under the Garryowen. Excellent finish for his 35th-minute try. Only frustration was having Arendse step inside too cheaply to score. Gone on 51.
14. Calvin Nash – 5.5
Played the full 80 but didn’t feature much as Ireland simply didn’t play with width in their attack down his side. Left looking sluggish, only getting close enough to Arendse to put in an attempted hand trip that didn’t work. Did have a part in the late Baird try.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 6.5
His defiance helped to keep Ireland afloat in a first half where it seemed they could topple over. Best moment was the hard won yards at the kernel of the attack that earned his team their first penalty points on 13 minutes. Took a jarring dunt from Siya Kolisi soon after and didn’t return for the second half.
12. Bundee Aki – 6
The out-and-out Irish star at the World Cup, he was kept honest here. A brainless penalty concession early in the second half summed up his lack of general precision.
11. James Lowe – 5
Decision making in his own half cost his team hugely. While he was excellent with the offload that created Osborne’s try, majestic in finishing his own breakaway score which was cruelly ruled out by TMO and also in giving Baird his assist, he paid a very heavy price defensively for keeping a Pollard touchfinder in play as Kolbe scored. Then made the desperate choice of playing another Pollard kick from the in-goal area, costing the scrum that resulted in a penalty try.
10. Jack Crowley – 6.5
Was Ireland’s best player for a chunk of the first half until a kick out on the full was followed by a crucial missed penalty kick on 32 minutes. Got back at it in the second half but with Ireland’s attack struggling to fire, he couldn’t make the decisive difference and the late flourish versus 14 South African players came too late.
9. Craig Casey – 6.5
Given the enormous task of filling the void left by the injured Jamison Gibson-Park. Whereas JGP is all fizz and instinct, Casey is more methodical but after a slow start, he came to the boil. His 50/22 kick in the second half was a peach but he sadly exited on a medical cart after a head knock.
1. Andrew Porter – 6.5
You can’t fault his set-piece basics as the Irish scrum was solid while he was on. His engine was also impressive given it is the 13th month of his season but he hurt his team with some rash breakdown interventions, including conceding the off-feet penalty that gave Pollard points on 29 minutes. Gone on 53, back on 63, gone again on 74.
2. Dan Sheehan – 6
Mixed bag of a first half featuring a crooked throw but then involvement in the Osborne try. Hurt his knee, though, and didn’t come back for the second half. Is now a major doubt for next Saturday.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 6.5
Played 63 minutes and was typical Furlong in many aspects but the odd ball carry here and there, which needed to happen in pressured times for his team, didn’t happen.
4. Joe McCarthy – 5.5
Looked like a player who was running on low at the end of a fine breakthrough season. Knocked on at the line early on, although the pass was poor from Peter O’Mahony. Also gave up some penalties, including a not-rolling that allowed the Boks to go 3-10 up in the 18th minute. Hooked on 50 for James Ryan.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 7
Looked pedestrian and yet he got around the place smartly and played the full 80, putting in a shift that included a chunky tackle count, maul effectiveness and breakdown value.
6. Peter O’Mahony – 6
A decent tackle count but struggled to otherwise shine. Poor try-ruining pass to McCarthy. Also, got sat down by Damian de Allende, which wasn’t a good look. Only played 50.
7. Josh van der Flier – 6.5
A busy bee. Best moment was a huge turnover in his own 22 on 53 minutes with the game delicately poised.
8. Caelan Doris – 8.5
Mr Turnover W and by far the best Ireland player. Some very intelligent contributions the whole way through in all aspects of his game. Frustratingly held up over the line late on.
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher – 5.5
Sent on at half-time, he gave up some key penalties including getting frustratingly penalised at the ruck for playing the ball on the floor, which cancelled the Lowe try, even though he appeared to have been neck-rolled to the ground before he went off feet. Was then yellow carded after the penalty try scrum. On the plus side, it was his break and nice pass that sent in Murray.
17. Cian Healy – 5
Played from 53 to 63, and again from 74. Won’t want to relive the late shoved-back scrum.
18. Finlay Bealham – 5.5
Arrived on 63 and it was his movement that sparked the play for Murray’s score. As with Healy, won’t want to see a replay of that scrum penalty try.
19. James Ryan – 6.5
A 50th-minute introduction, he immediately got stuck in with a big tackle and went on to do well.
20. Ryan Baird – 6.5
Replaced O’Mahony on 50 and was effective, getting rewarded for staying out wide to be able to score in the corner on 79 minutes.
21. Conor Murray – 6.5
Replaced the injured Casey for the closing 15 minutes. Slow start as was beaten by Kolbe after Lowe kept the ball in play, but later showed his class when finishing the Kelleher break. Generally energised the Irish play but it was too late as they were always playing catch-up.
22. Ciaran Frawley – 6
A 51st-minute introduction for Osborne, he stood up in the tackle immediately and went on not to let his team down.
23. Garry Ringrose – 7.5
A half-time swap for Henshaw, he played like a player who had a point to prove after a long time out. Excellent value in keeping Ireland in the contest.
Why give POM more than 2 after DDA completely bossed him… was nowhere to be seen after that..!!!
In my opinion I think all these ratings were quite harsh. Especially Lowe with the lowest rating at 5 he played way better than a lot on the team. But I do think the whole team were rated harshly.
Think it harsh to criticise Lowe for keeping the ball in play preventing an attacking SA line out. Think the blame lies solely with the other 6 backs who were slower than a winger who was 30 metres back at the start of the penalty kick. Taken disgustingly brilliantly by Kolbe, some player
Join free and tell us what you really think!
Wales are on the ropes and in an arena where results matter, they need to give the Welsh public something to cheer about
Away from the bright lights of Southern Hemisphere heavyweights, Gregor Townsend has time to widen his talent pool in the Test arena
Steve Borthwick has slowly turned his England team from unloved no-hopers to thrill seekers – a win in New Zealand would be seismic.
Forwards & kicks play to the sidelines for backs to play across the field to stretch the defense. OR same play to the middle, keep the defense guessing & splitting.
As a Springbok supporter, I have 2 Points of concerne. 1- We let too many oppertunities slip, and it so almost came back to bight us. Against Ireland and the all blacks especially, you can not under any circumstances get so close tho their try line and not convert it into points. Nothing against any teams, but most other teams play off momentum, Ireland and the all blacks can come back to win a game that has already been lost.If you in their 22, you atleast need a 3 pointer. Point 2- Out of the 3 tries Ireland scored, Jerry will likely be extremely pissed about 2, their first and 3rd. Those really slipped and we should have done more to make them hard to score. I like the shape of our new attack, I hope it will still improve, but we still have a problem of starting great, then seem to run out of ideas when we right be the try line. I will take this win, but I do feel we had some luck on our side, We have our work cut out for us in Durban. Lets hope its just signs of a new defense and attack system that will dominate once we get it right. To the Irish, be proud, your guys rugby team is seriously an amazing team at the moment, keep your head up with pride!
There’s hope (again?!) for Oz rugby… 1st time in 20years I watched a NON error ridden Wallabies. The Schmidt effect? I’ve heard he has some perfectionism… if so(?), is EXACTLY what Wallabies need. & have needed the past  20years; especially instead of the slop provided by Jones.
There’s hope (again?!) for Oz rugby… 1st time in 20years I watched a NON error ridden Wallabies. The Schmidt effect? I’ve heard he has some perfectionism… if so(?), is EXACTLY what Wallabies need. & have needed the past  20years; especially instead of the slop of Jones.
Ben, I would highly suggest you invest in some editing/proofreading software. This writing is a complete shambles. Order your thoughts, and then logically sequence
Why do the All blacks play like the Springboks?
Disappointing stuff from ABs and Ben Smith. Article written poorly and he should go to school to learn about syntax and grammar.
“Hey Damian, take a couple of weeks off son and practise your “Kicking” All Blacks were lucky that Marcus Smith missed some easy kicks. Toss of a coin Test Match, between Smith and McKenzie.
That was foolish the 78th minute penalty attempt by Damian McKenzie, the Ref got it right at the 78:20 sec mark, as McKenzie takes forever to kick the ball. BUT, I was disappointed they went for the penalty with slightly over two minutes to go. If it were SA, they would have kicked the ball out near the 10m line, and gone for the lineout. By the time the two sides set for the Lineout would have left 90 seconds of play left, and a short throw in win on your own throw to muscle out the England near their goal line for 90 seconds, was better than defending in your own half. If McKenzie had missed the penalty shot anyway, England would have held possession to run it at the ABs, and drive themselves into the ABs half in hope to get a penalty. Because if England were to win a penalty in their own 10m goal line, its better than England winning a penalty in the ABs half in the last few seconds.
Interesting -England kick away twice as much ball, make half as many breaks = not a very attacking team like suggested -England tackle nearly twice as much but NZ only carry 1/3 more, so England catching passers (instead of ball runners) 50% more then NZ? = England defensively focused. Expected, but maybe not the volume they thought they would have to deal with so tired and succesfully changed the game up (slowed). -NZ 50% more threatening on attack (3x the strike power with %50 of the ball/opportunity) -NZ not rewarding for their forward dominance = lack of international fine tuning compared to Englands 7 games since WC and the referring change in styles/interpretations
B.J. Spratt, the only reason why the BOKS won the World Cup final 12-11, was because due to the inconsistency of the TMO decision awarding a Red Card to Sam Cane, and a Yellow Card to Siya Kolisi, both went into the tackle, both head collisions, but Kolisi got away with only a 10min Yellow Card – double standards. Had Cane returned onto the filed as Kolisi did, the ABs would have probably won the 4th title. That was the second Final the ABs were robbed; where in 1995, 22 AB players were sick of food poisoning as South African’s spiked their food two-days prior to the final, and despite that Jonah Lomu in the 2nd-half scored the only try, conveniently, it was claimed by an off-field official as he received a “forward pass”, despite the replay never showed it was forward.
Kwagga def needs to come on 2nd half. We needed a bulldozer 8 to get across the gain line.
> It wasn’t the most clinical game in history but both teams were throwing everything into it. George Furbank may be having nightmares of Sevu Reece after the winger timed his chasing runs perfectly to nail the fullback under the highball. Pretty much sums it up, was just a slight improvement on 2020 Foster (big change from 2023 Foster/Schmidt) so still leaving a lot to be desired.
In handing Robertson his first international victory, Borthwick showed the ABs England’s defense. Next week, in handing Robertson his first international defeat, he’ll show the ABs England’s attack. You didn’t think he was going to show all his cards, did you? You’re welcome.
It’s obvious from these player ratings that England won by at least 20 points.
I’m looking forward to seeing the improvement in Australian footballers as a result of regular international test football for their Super Rugby players. It is a good strategy that should pay dividends in their overall competitiveness. Better than bringing players from lower leagues in non-TRC nations.
Enjoyed the change in bench use from Razor, all really early (not that I agree with that). Can’t really blame this reviewer for rating on what the ref rulled instead of how well the front row scrummed? There was really no recourse for awarding England any scrum penalties imo, soundly outplayed. Also whats with rating the hooker on how well the lineout jumpers are lifted and the lineout called? Loose trio ho hum, would minus 1 Finau for not hitting either Smiths but maybe he already was. Dmac could have been higher if he was just used a bit more with the forward runners, whenever they played off him instead of 9 they made breaks (though perhaps still not the gainline). Would give Talea minus – for lack of direction, seems less confident in what he wants to do that last year (still carrying an injury?) Of course the most important rating is always missed Razor – 7 played everything simple as possible with no time to change play structure, though you might have thought such a Messiah as he could have come up with a little more innovation in the weeks buildup BOrthwick – 6 had his team inbetween game plans, maybe the plays took the game into their own hands just hoping to stop the ABs playing their own game. When need to inihibit much more control on his team if theyre to turn it around next week. that he was happy at the end pretty much sums up his performance.
It was a terrible show for the most part from the NH contingent controlling the games. Next week when, I assume, the controllers are, in turn, from the SH the games should be much better. Much less pedantic. Why is the game/kicker being stopped all the time as well? They changed the law so that the decisions/try can be overturned up until the restart. Let the kicker kcik and the TMO make the call in the background, and of course, if it’s not clear that it should be overtuned in that time, then it obviously should not be looked at any further. I expected the other half of the Kiwi contingent to turn up and be a key this game, but Bundee was quite, it was a one man job for Lowe to win Ireland that game, and unfortunately he was cruely denied. Ireland had a good run, and I think they will continue to stay near the top 3 or 4 teams and push them in most games. Maybe when another generation comes they will have a better chance? But with only 160 pros it is very much an uphill battle.
Still nothing tieing the forwards and backs together in the backline. Had hoped to see something even with just a few training runs. It was largely back to 2020 Foster rugby, just with slightly more developed players, but the same problems/difficulties when it came down to it.
Scraped past a very young English team. They are mostly 21 years old. That front rower looks like he’s 12 lol. One kick from Marcus Smith and Razor the messiah would’ve been very human after all. Anyways congratulations on the win. We look forward to Johannesburg.
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