There were contrasting fortunes after the Test match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva stadium on Saturday evening.
Ireland passed a vital test in this World Cup cycle.
Although not counting towards anything but a confidence boost ahead of the tournament, questions were answered about the group's ability against the physically dominant and reigning world champions.
There was a huge contrast between the half-backs on both sides. Arguably, if South Africa had an experienced out-half, they would have controlled their game a bit better and forced more scoreboard pressure on Ireland.
Damian Willemse is a great athlete and player, but he didn’t look like the out-half that will allow South Africa to challenge for back-to-back World Cup successes.
Ireland’s half-backs were easily in more control of the game. Both-scrum halves had very positive contributions but unfortunately for Conor Murray, his well-deserved 100th cap was cut short after he scythed through the South African lineout defence.
His groin looked to give up on him as he battled through a long passage of play before being replaced by Jamison Gibson-Park who brought the game to another level. Gibson-Park will now resume his place in the starting 15 and Murray will have to fight for his opportunity once again after he clears up his injury.
Of even more concern and frustration was the injury to Stuart McCloskey. He has waited an agonising amount of time to play in such a crucial tie for Ireland.
He has been out of favour at a time when Ireland have boasted serious depth in their centre partnerships and with a late Robbie Henshaw injury, coupled with Bundee Aki’s suspension, McCloskey was the beneficiary of a huge opportunity to prove his worth.
And prove his worth is exactly what he did. McCloskey completed nine tackles, won a poach penalty in partnership with Caelan Doris and had a maul turnover from a choke tackle with Johnny Sexton before a high tackle reversed that decision.
He also showed maturity and composure in attack, playing many passes deep at the tackle line, something that is synonymous with his game at club level with Ulster and he tidied up some messy Irish attacks. He did all of that in 27 minutes.
Ironically, it was his only missed tackle of those 27 minutes that caused him some concern. He missed a tackle on his opposite number De Allende when double jobbing from the inside tackle and his arm got caught awkwardly in the ground.
It was a cruel blow for McCloskey who handled himself really well up to that point. He was a big leader in the Irish defence. This wasn’t just another Test match, it was a fully hyped-up South African side who have been well gelled in the last few months. McCloskey’s performance against a side of that quality comes as no surprise to many.
He has been unfortunate in his contest with Aki and Henshaw in particular. Hopefully his injury will be better than his jersey sling suggested and he can get back to challenging for more Test caps soon.
Jimmy O’Brien was the beneficiary of the McCloskey injury. O’Brien came on to make his debut in a senior Irish jersey after being called up from the 'A’ side the night before.
Having played his schools rugby at out-half, and his club and ‘A’ rugby in the back three, it would have been a daunting task coming on at outside centre in a full throttle Test match. His calm exterior covered over the assumed interior nervousness.
O’Brien quickly stepped into the renowned left-footed exit role for Ireland and took a lot of responsibility for the team. It helps that he plays with the general, Johnny Sexton, at club level and Sexton would have confidence in O’Brien to take up that role, but he looked like a composed 20-cap Test player in his first involvement at this level.
His composure on both sides of the ball was noticeable and he assisted the last pass to Mack Hansen in a well-executed team try. Nothing seemed to phase O’Brien who just put himself in an unbelievably strong position for the World Cup squad now that he can cover centre, wing and full-back.
What would have slid more under the radar was just how good Garry Ringrose is. He effortlessly pushed into the inside centre position, something we’re not as used to seeing from him. Players regularly cover a second position. Out-halves would regularly play at 10 and 12 or 10 and 15 depending on their strengths. Centres would usually cover 12 and 13 or 13 and wing depending on whether their strengths lie in their physicality or pace.
We’ve seen Ringrose recently win a player of the match award with Leinster having been a substitute on the wing, however, playing at inside centre is a different challenge for him. His technical physicality is under appreciated.
Ringrose packs a serious punch for his size but coming up against Damian de Allende and a rampaging Springbok pack is a step up altogether. He had two good hits on Pieter-Steph du Toit as well. It’s rare that a player would have the ability to cover three of those positions, never mind at a top international level.
Ireland have just gone to a level that we’ve never seen in Irish rugby before. We’re still dependent on a couple of individuals, every team is. However, Andy Farrell has created an environment that is full of belief and every player is good enough to be a part of their success.
He has pushed for more ‘A’ games, he has challenged their coaching with midweek games and he now has a very healthy pool of players who are experiencing a lot of success.
There’ll always be the naysayers that expect the bubble to burst. Admittedly, I thought South Africa would humble Ireland on Saturday evening but I’m glad I was wrong.
At what stage do we believe in the favourites tag? Andy Farrell clearly already does, and this victory for his group will make sure that the players are fully comfortable with it too.
All eyes will be on the centre partnership against Fiji. Frawley is missing an opportunity to either play at inside centre or come off the bench at out-half due to injury. You’d have to assume that Henshaw is fit again considering no centres have been added to the squad.
Keep an eye on Jack Crowley as the next utility back after being added to the full squad from the ‘A’ team. He could make his debut deputising for Joey Carbery while Johnny Sexton rests.
Fiji will provide tough and physical opposition this weekend but should also offer opportunities for fringe players to showcase their talents once again.
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Fiji on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app this Saturday from 1pm with live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
