A win is a win, but Ireland’s laboured 22-19 victory over Argentina raises more questions than it answers. There’s a flat look to the once highly potent Ireland, and with sticky tasks against Fiji and Australia to come, not many players put their hand up to reassure the stressed figure of Andy Farrell.
One of those who did stand out, did so under the brightest spotlight of all as Jack Crowley produced a masterclass in that opening half.
Statistically, eye test or tracking moment by moment, the positives far outweighed the negatives for Crowley who bossed proceedings. Although Ireland as a collective fell away in the second half, it was far from his fault and should be separated from it on a night where the pack faded as the minutes ticked by. Still, in the eighty minutes we saw from Crowley and Prendergast; Farrell can be relieved about one position.
After a busy week in which Andy Farrell seemed tetchy at questions from the media, Irish fans were crying out for a performance. The loss to New Zealand was tame and uncharacteristic from an Irish side who so often hit a tone of high intensity. The onus was going to be put back onto the 14 players backed to start again to repay Farrell’s faith, and in the position that provided most scrutiny – out-half – Jack Crowley stood up with a confident and assured hour of rugby.
15 November 2024; Jack Crowley of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The only question that could be asked of him this week, is why Farrell limited him to another shortened cameo.
Ireland came out of the starting block flying it in the opening forty, racing into a 22-9 lead. 12 of those points came from the Munster number ten. Like last week, Crowley’s contestable kickoffs got Ireland underway and laid the groundwork on a thrilling opening salvo.
Whereas Ireland, and Crowley, looked small and quiet in the defeat, this time around they were the ones laying down a marker. The midfield axis of Crowley, Henshaw and Ringrose all looked bright, with the old reliables of Porter, Kelleher and van der Flier popping up with physical dominance. Be it by design or otherwise, Andy Farrell’s standoffish nature in the past week lit a fire under his team. Or at least it did for forty or so minutes.
Sure there will be doubters, both in fan and media bubbles, who will bemoan the 3rd quarter from Crowley, but that is more in line with Ireland’s maligned nature rather than the young 10. In fact when you dig into the numbers, it makes for impressive reading.
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16 passes, 12 points scored, 11 tackles (0 missed), 7 carries for 49 metres made, 6 kicks, 3 defenders beaten, 1 try.
15 November 2024; Jack Crowley of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
These are not the numbers of a run of the mill test 10, but rather of one who is more than capable at this level. Those numbers don’t account for the consistency in Ireland’s restarts, which allow Ireland to put the opposition under immense pressure and essentially create an additional set piece. Nor does it paint the full attacking picture of which there was improved fluidity.
The same could be said on the defensive side of the ball. Despite being lean and agile, Crowley did not shy away from contact, the stick often used to beat other elite 10s like Marcus Smith for example. If Andy Farrell isn’t impressed with the 60 minute showing Jack Crowley put in, then this writer would finally be lost for words.
There’s no denying that this victory, however limp it was, will leave a marker on Ireland’s picture at 10. Rightly or wrongly, we are likely to see Crowley and Prendergast backed, and Ciarán Frawley back out in the cold. Is it fair? Probably not, but Andy Farrell puts more stock in these games than anything you could ever do in a provincial shirt, so it’s a strong possibility.
15 November 2024; Jack Crowley, right, and Ciarán Frawley before the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
In this writer’s opinion, Frawley should be given the keys this week for Fiji with the coaches now knowing that Crowley has done enough to keep the other lads at bay, and Sam has the ability even if he has some filling out to do. However the next chess move could have a ripple effect larger than when Joey Carbery was dropped from the extended panel back in 2023.
This conversation has changed pace many times in recent games. From Crowley’s excellent Six Nations, to Frawley’s heroics in South Africa followed by an off night against New Zealand, Andy Farrell must be crying out for a solidity. That said, it could be the wise English man who is steering himself against the tide.
When you see Crowley depart after 60 minutes, on a night where he shone; your mind goes back to England’s Ford v Farrell debate of the 2010s. Two extremely polished and accomplished out-halves, but neither of which ever got a full run of games to make the shirt their own, free from the nagging pressure of giving minutes to the next man. There’s a case to be made for giving Crowley a 10th consecutive start on Saturday, with Prendergast again on the bench.
15 November 2024; Sam Prendergast of Ireland, left, makes his way tonto the pitch to replace team-mate Jack Crowley during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Finally, a word for the young debutant. As first outings go, Sam Prendergast had a decent twenty minutes in green. His sharp attacking touches added variation against a tiring defence, and although he was manhandled by the bulky Argentinians on more than one occasion, he will become more adaptable to the physicality as he grows into his long frame. For what he might lack in physique, he makes up for in game IQ and skill set. This was the cameo Farrell wanted from Ciarán Frawley last week, but instead got from the kid five years his junior.
Squad selection for next weekend against Fiji is bound to divide opinions. If Crowley gets backed again after a strong showing, there will be calls for rotation. Should Ciarán Frawley get the nod, there will be a lingering question about backing youth. In some ways, handing the keys to Sam Prendergast could be the safe play for the optics, but the riskiest for the result. After all, this Fijian team will come to town hoping for a major scalp, and will not have seen anything from Ireland’s overall performances this November to frighten them.