A dominant Eire thrashed a disjointed and undisciplined Fiji 52-17 on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, operating in eight tries, three of them assisted and one scored by debutant hooker Gus McCarthy.
The Six Nations champions made a stuttering begin to their November collection, relinquishing a 19-game dwelling unbeaten run to New Zealand earlier than virtually giving up an enormous halftime lead in final week’s slim victory over Argentina.
They had been too robust on Saturday, although, and had been handed the initiative when Fiji conceded 11 penalties within the first 40 minutes. The hosts capitalised all through the half with tries from Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey and Mack Hansen.
A second attempt for Hansen, and one apiece for man-of-the-match Bundee Aki, Ronan Kelleher and McCarthy both facet of a pair for Fiji, accomplished the rout as Eire put together to shut out the autumn in opposition to in-form Australia subsequent Saturday.
“It was much more pleasing than the final couple of weeks,” Eire captain Doris stated, crediting his facet’s much-improved self-discipline although he stated it could have to be higher once more for subsequent week.
The hosts received off to the proper begin with the type of attacking line-out they’ve struck from time and time once more, with McCarthy making up for a wobbly first throw to loop round and ship Doris via with an inside move.
A lot of the eye earlier than the sport was on the primary begin for 21-year-old Eire flyhalf Sam Prendergast and the Leinster man’s combined afternoon started with an eighth-minute yellow card for a shoulder to the pinnacle that he was fortunate was not upgraded.
Eire got here away from the following interval unscathed because of some organised defence and added a second attempt whereas all the way down to 14 males, with McCarthy within the thick of it once more, flicking the ball behind his again to Doris who despatched Van der Flier over.
Fiji’s persistent fouling despatched prop Eroni Mawi to the bin and earlier than the half was up Eire’s busy and spectacular scrumhalf Casey and wing Hansen went over within the nook to place the hosts in whole management.
Prendergast’s calmly timed cross kick for Hansen’s attempt — on the similar nook the place he had earlier overcooked a penalty — went down within the plus column, alongside some slick passing all through that confirmed why he has emerged to problem Jack Crowley for the quantity 10 jersey.
There was clearly to be no repeat of Fiji’s shock 24-19 win over Wales final weekend however they received tries within the second half with Kitione Salawa and 18-year-old substitute Setareki Turagacoke scoring both facet of Aki and McCarthy.
The 21-year-old McCarthy is third alternative at Leinster behind Kelleher and the injured Dan Sheehan however his all-action debut confirmed simply how stacked Eire are at hooker and he even completed the sport taking part in at flanker for good measure.
Kelleher’s attempt to Hansen’s second put Eire over the 50-point mark with Turagacoke within the sin bin because the guests’ poor self-discipline added to their woes.
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