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Ireland warmed up for a showdown with world champions South Africa by labouring to a Nations Championship victory over Fiji in Dublin.
The hosts had won all six previous Test matches between the sides but struggled for fluency and briefly trailed during an uncomfortable opening period at a subdued Aviva Stadium.
Robert Baloucoune scored twice in the first half for Andy Farrell’s men after quick-fire tries from Fiji pair Josua Tuisova and Peceli Yato overturned Tommy O’Brien’s early opener.
Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, O’Brien and Nick Timoney went over in the second half as Ireland eventually pulled clear to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Nations Championship final.
The result leaves Ireland level on 20 points with second-placed England in the northern-hemisphere standings – a point below leaders France – ahead of next week’s mouthwatering clash with the Springboks.
After a first-half wobble, Ireland were a different team after the break. Farrell’s side scored four unanswered tries as Fiji failed to add any points to their tally in the second half. Ireland host South Africa in a mouthwatering match next week, with a first or second place finish in the Northern Hemisphere standings still on the cards.
Fiji are denied a late score as Wainiqolo evades Casey’s diving challenge and chases his own chip over the helpless Hansen. However, the pacey winger fails to ground the ball and he’s denied what would have been a magnificent solo try.
Timoney caps off a resounding second half display from Ireland. The number 8 shrugs off some unconvincing tackles and powers over the line to score, adding further gloss to Ireland’s points tally. In Prendergast’s absence, Frawley assumes kicking duties and adds the extras.
Casey clips a near-perfect kick over to the left corner. Baloucoune and Frawley desperately sprint to reach it. The latter gets closest to scoring, but the two Irish backs get in each other’s way, and he can’t keep the ball in play.
Ireland initially win a penalty and kick for the corner. From the lineout, Aki feeds Beirne, who fires a rushed pass out to Casey. There’s a knock-on and the opportunity disappears for the hosts.
A spell of Fijian pressure ends as Tuisova slings a very ambitious pass out to hooker Ikanivere. It’s a tired decision and the ball unsurprisingly flies into touch. Ireland now have a scrum 10 metres out from their own line.
There’s an illegal turnover at the ruck as McCloskey flicks the ball away with his foot. Fiji kick for the corner. Ireland survive the initial lineout and Frawley boots clear.
Fiji think they have a third try, but it’s ruled out for a knock-on as Ikanivere fumbles the ball and fails to legally ground it. Ireland then win a penalty from the resulting scrum before they shuffle into Fiji’s half.
The referee has also confirmed that Ravuiwasa’s card will stay as a yellow. He will be back on the field in a couple of minutes. Prendergast is then withdrawn for Frawley.
That is Prendergast at his very best. The scrum-half slips an exquisite grubber through to the ever-willing O’Brein. The bounce is perfect for winger, who gets the ball under his spell to score. The chase and the kick were both beautifully timed. Prendergast then adds the extras in style.
Ireland audibly celebrate as O’Brein wins a pivotal turnover to stop Fiji advancing further into the hosts’ 22.
Will that try settle this contest? From the subsequent tap-and-go penalty, Timoney makes a solo dash for the line. He’s held up, but Porter is right there in support and burrows over to score. After missing three consecutive conversions, Prendergast makes no mistake with this kick. Ireland are making the most of their numerical advantage and it’s a long way back for Fiji now. Ireland have the much-needed bonus point and a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.
Gibson-Park’s clever break takes Ireland into Fiji’s half. In quick succession, debutant McNabney makes two strong runs forward. On the second, which is just metres out from the line, he’s caught in the face by Ravuiwasa’s swinging arm. This knocks McNabney out cold for a few seconds and the medics rush onto the pitch. McNabney quickly sits up and he’s walked off the pitch, with Timoney back on. McNabney was short of the line and a penalty try is ruled out. However, Ravuiwasa is sent to the bin and the card could be upgraded to red. We’ll wait to hear more on that. Ireland have a tap-and-go penalty just a couple of metres out from the line.
Prendergast’s kick is charged down by Volavola, whose in a footrace with O’Brein as the ball trickles towards the try line. The Irish winger gets there first, but he’s under intense pressure and has to carry the ball over the line. Fiji have a five-metre scrum. Prendergast will hope nothing comes from this. McNabney then enters the action for his debut as Timoney makes way.
Disaster for Fiji. From the subsequent lineout maul, Kelleher emerges with the ball in hand on the left, evades a challenge and dives over the line to extend Ireland’s advantage. The 14 men needed that. Once again, Prendergast wastes the conversion and Ireland miss out on another two points.
Ireland win a scrum penalty as Ravai fails to bind and falls away. It’s great play from Porter and Kelleher. Prendergast kicks into touch and Ireland have a five-metre lineout.
There’s a Fiji knock-on at the breakdown, gifting Ireland a scrum. So far, the hosts are navigating this period without Beirne well.
We are back under way for the second half. Can Fiji make their man advantage count while Beirne is in the bin?
Ireland’s performance has been littered with unforced errors and Fiji have responded confidently. The sloppy hosts hold a very slender lead and will have to begin the second half with a numerical disadvantage because of Beirne’s yellow card. There’s work to do for Farrell’s side.
The first half ends in annoying fashion for Ireland as captain Beirne is sent to the bin for a foolish infringement at the breakdown. Fiji kick the penalty from around 25 metres out and Volavola arrows it through the posts. Just two points separate the sides now.
Ireland look poised to head into the break in front as another slick move ends with McCloskey hurling a clinical pass out wide with Fiji’s defence camped centrally. Baloucoune is waiting and his second walk-in. Prendergast’s driven kick frustratingly cannons back off the post and the Ireland scrum-half has now missed successive conversions.
Ireland are metres out from the line, but the Fiji defence holds firm as the hosts are penalised for obstruction after attempting to stay in a maul that was already dead. This time it’s Kelleher with the unforced error and Fiji survive.
Fiji suffer the same fate as Ireland and have a try disallowed. The visitors think they’re back in front but there’s a knock-on at the lineout from the towering Nasilasila, before Tagi latches onto the loose ball to score. The away side’s joy is cut short. Ireland then win a scrum penalty and the hosts are now out of their own 22.
Ireland swiftly overcome that previous disappointment. Prendergast spots Baloucoune in acres of space on the right with his tremendous vision. It’s a walk-in for Ireland’s speedster as Baloucoune gets over the line to score a very straightforward try. However, Prendergast skews the conversion wide and Ireland have to settle for just a five-point haul, leaving the scoreline tied at 12-12.
A Fiji offside gifts Ireland a penalty and they kick for the corner. Shortly afterwards, Baird leads the charge from within a maul and sneaks over the line. However, the referee rules that the try is just short and the TMO says there’s no clear evidence to overrule it. Play resumes with a goal-line drop-out.
There’s another unforced error as O’Brein carelessly launches a pass forward. That is Ireland’s fifth handling error. After scoring that try, Yato picked up an injury and is unable to continue. The influential Fijian captain hobbles up and is replaced by Salawa.
That’s a terrible try for Ireland to concede. It’s a brilliant line break from Wainiqolo, who shrugs a couple of weak challenges. O’Brein desperately tries to apprehend him, but Wainiqolo offloads to Yato. The Fiji captain powerfully strides over the line to score and he’s mobbed by his teammates. Farrell will be furious with his side, who’ve allowed Fiji to score twice in four minutes.
Ireland infringe at Fiji’s lineout, giving the visitors a penalty 40 metres out. Another lineout takes place and Fiji make serious territory from their maul. Lomani passes to the arriving Tuisova, who bulldozes the unfortunate Prendergast and bursts over the line to score. Volavola slices the conversion wide as it swerves away from the near post.
Ireland score, but the try is ruled out thanks to the TMO’s intervention. Gibson-Park makes a dart for the line from the breakdown and scores. However, the TMO rules that the Ireland scrum-half didn’t legally ground the ball and the try is chalked off.
Spell of Irish pressure enters into the 15th phase and the hosts are metres out from the line. Off the base, Gibson-Park tries to pick out Hansen out wide with a flat pass. Ravutaumada intercepts, but knocks on. The Fijian avoids a sin bin it was a genuine attempt to catch the ball and Ireland have a five-metre scrum.
From an Ireland scrum, the ball is passed to Prendergast, who executes a clever cross-field kick over to Baloucoune. The winger is in acres of space, but the bounce of the ball is cruel and it spins out of play into touch.
Prendergast’s flat pass is deliberately knocked by Ikanivere, who can’t quite gather the ball under his spell, resulting in an Ireland lineout. The hosts have the penalty advantage and burst into Fiji’s 22 for the first time this evening. The ball is crisply worked out to the left and Baloucone’s acceleration leaves Fiji stretched. He tees up O’Brien for a simple try in the corner. Prendergast adds the extras and Ireland are in control.
There’s an early injury blow for Osborne, who has an issue with either his neck or shoulder. That’s a notable blow for Ireland. McCloskey replaces him, with Aki likely to move further out wide. Ireland win a scrum penalty inside their own half to relieve the pressure on themselves.
Fiji take a quick lineout and loop a kick into Ireland’s 22. O’Brien drops it and Fiji have an attacking scrum in Ireland’s half. Fiji motor forward, but Ireland win a turnover and force knock-on. The visitors have already created two line breaks and are putting the hosts under some early pressure.
Fiji get us under way in Dublin. Will Ireland secure an expected victory or can Fiji shock everyone?
The Irish national anthem is under way, taking place after Fiji’s. Kick-off is fast approaching now.
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of this Nations Championship fifth-round Test between Ireland and Fiji at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Ireland are third in the Northern Hemisphere standings, having played a game less than England and France above them, but a point bonus victory this evening would put Andy Farrell’s side level with Steve Borthwick’s men and keep them in the mix for top spot. Meanwhile, Fiji are rock bottom of the South Hemisphere table, with a miserable points difference of -133, and lost 54-17 to France last time out.
Tadhg Beirne, who is poised to captain his country for the first time on home soil this evening, said Ireland are aiming to carry on the positive momentum following their 42-12 win over Argentina eight days ago, but feels his side can still improve. “The big focus for us is to continue building on our performance, particularly from last week,” he remarked.
“We laid down a foundation of how we want to play, but we’re certainly not satisfied with that. I think there were patches of us playing really well there, but there were also patches where we weren’t to the standard that we’re going to hold ourselves to.”
Farrell has made seven changes to the selection that cruised past Argentina. The experienced Jamison Gibson-Park begins at scrum-half, and is joined by fellow returning backs such as Tommy O’Brien, Bundee Aki and Jamie Osborne. The other alterations see hooker Ronan Kelleher, lock James Ryan and flanker Josh van der Flier also start.
Speaking about his team selection, Farrell said: “I don’t think there’s that many changes. There’s a few that we would have had to make, but I think in this game in particular I like the look of the team. I wouldn’t say it’s an experimental team by any stretch of the imagination, this is a good side that should perform on Saturday.”
Kick-off is at 20:10, with line-ups following now.
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