Sin-binned Prendergast shines as Ireland romp to devastating Fiji win

Ireland produced their most convincing performance of the Autumn Nations Series as they thumped Fiji 52-17 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

It took just seven minutes for the hosts to take the lead through Caelan Doris before tries from Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey and Mack Hansen gave them a 28-3 lead at the interval.

Bundee Aki quickly added a fifth following the break in what was a superb performance from the inside centre who was left out last weekend.

Fiji offered more offensively after the interval and were able to get their first try on the board through Kitione Salawa.

Following a debut try for Gus McCarthy, Mick Byrne’s side added a second as Setareki Turagacoke stormed over the line following superb work from the talented Caleb Muntz.

Ireland continued to dominate though as Fiji gave away fouls and Hansen doubled his tally on the day before Ronan Kelleher added an eighth try late on.

There was plenty of discussion in the build-up to the afternoon clash over fly-half Sam Prendergast, who was making his first Test match start for Ireland.

The battle for Johnny Sexton’s No. 10 jersey following his retirement has been an intriguing one with Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley seeming the likely candidates.

But it was 21-year-old Prendergast who was given the opportunity this afternoon and after an early yellow card, which he was perhaps fortunate wasn’t upgraded to a red following a high tackle, he took his chance well.

It was one of his several clever crossfield kicks that found Hansen in acres on the right-hand side to score his first try of the afternoon while he made five of his seven conversions – only missing from way out wide.

It wasn’t the perfect afternoon for the Leinster man but it was certainly one of promise.

After being left out of the side against Argentina last weekend, Bundee Aki returned to the starting line-up in spectacular fashion.

The inside centre was influential in driving Ireland forward, making 17 carries over a combined 176 metres and his performance was awarded with a try soon after half-time.

Ireland: J Osborne 6; M Hansen 8, R Henshaw 7, B Aki 9*, J Stockdale 7; S Prendergast 8, C Casey 7; A Porter 7, G McCarthy 7, F Bealha 6; J McCarthy 7, T Beirne 7; C Izuchukwu 7, J van der Flier 8, C Doris 8.

Replacements: R Kelleher 7, T O’Toole 6, T Clarkson 6, I Henderson 6, C Prendergas 6t, C Murray 7, C Frawley 6, S McCloskey 6.

Fiji: V Karawalevu 6; J Wainiqolo 7, W Nayacalevu 6, J Tuisova 7, P Loganimasi 6; C.Muntz 8, F Lomani 7; E Mawi 7, T Ikanivere 6, L Tagi 7; M Vocevoce 6, T Mayanavanua 6; R Derenalagi 6, K Salawa 7, E Canakaivata 6.

Replacements: S Matavesi 6, H Hetet 6, S Tawake 6, S Turagacoke 7, A Tuisue 5, P Matawalu 6, V Botitu 5, S Maqala 5.

6′ – TRY! IRELAND 7-0 FIJI (DORIS): Ireland quickly work it off to the supporting runners from the maul and it’s popped inside to Doris who can get over the line for the first try of the afternoon.

16′ – TRY! IRELAND 14-0 FIJI (VAN DER FLIER): Fiji give away the foul at the breakdown and Ireland take it quickly. Doris works it to Van Der Flier who gets Ireland over the line.

31′ – TRY! IRELAND 21-3 FIJI (CASEY): Ireland opt to kick into touch and once again drive for the line in the maul following the line-out. It’s eventually popped off to Casey by McCarthy and he leaps over the line in the corner.

40+2′ – TRY! IRELAND 28-3 FIJI (HANSEN): Ireland are fortunate to be awarded the scrum following the line-out. They capitalise superbly though as it’s worked out to Prendergast who plays a lovely deft crossfield kick for Hansen to run on to on the right wing to get over the line with acres of space.

48′ – TRY! IRELAND 35-3 FIJI (AKI): Following the line-out there is some sharp passing from Ireland. An improvised offload from Casey allows it to be worked to Aki who breaks through and gets over the line.

55′ – TRY! IRELAND 35-10 FIJI (SALAWA): After a number of phases, Fiji struggle to get over the five-metre line but Salawa is eventually able to burst through and stretch his arm out to get it over the line for Fiji’s first try of the afternoon.

64′ – TRY! IRELAND 42-10 FIJI (McCARTHY): Following the line-out on the right, Ireland drive incredibly in the maul and Gus McCarthy is able to break out at the last second to get over the line on his debut.

66′ – TRY! IRELAND 42-17 FIJI (TURAGACOKE): Fiji respond immediately! Muntz bursts through the Irish defence before producing a phenomenal offload to Turagacoke who is bursting through to take it on and get over the line.

69′ – TRY! IRELAND 47-17 FIJI (HANSEN): Ireland take the free-kick quickly and after a number of phases it’s worked out to Hansen on the right by Casey and the winger can fly for the line for his second of the day.

79′ – TRY! IRELAND 52-17 FIJI (KELLEHER): Ireland look set to maul from the line-out but Doris retrieves it and pops it out to Kelleher on the right and he can carry it on before stepping inside to take it over the line.

This afternoon’s victory marks the first time Ireland have won successive games since February.