Van der Flier flying through his to-do list
Josh van der Flier’s development as a rugby player continued apace with another high profile performance in the victory over Argentina. The openside flanker had been given a ‘to-do’ list by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and he’s worked assiduously on his game. The upshot has seen both the player and team benefit.
Two tries against the Pumas embellished what has been a superb Autumn Nations series with the Leinster flanker starting all three Test matches. Tired but happy he got to reflect on the latest victory to go with those over Japan and New Zealand.
“It (the win) was great from our perspective. We did what we wanted to do, won the gainline, the ball carry was good and we fronted up defensively. We had to stick with them at the start, front up and if we did that we knew it could be a good day for us.
“It’s pleasing to get the basics right, ruck, tackle and defence has been good. When you get those, it allows you to play the game you want to play and that is pleasing. We haven’t thought about the Six Nations, we head back to the provinces and beat each other up in the interpros for a few weeks.”
Quote of the week
"My family has been my cornerstone. I want to thank them. I wouldn't be where I am without my parents, my sisters and my very patient husband, who has been with me through thick and thin for the last 10 years. This is for them. This is one for the memory banks. I will never forget this." Ireland captain Ciara Griffin brings the curtain down on an excellent international career, her two tries dragging Ireland to a 15-12 win.
Number of the week
6 - The number of opposition players that have been sent off while playing against Wales in 2021, the latest of which was Australian number eight Rob Valetini. The full list in order is Ireland's Peter O'Mahony, Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Paul Willemse (France), Juan Cruz Mallia (Argentina), Eroni Sau (Fiji) and Valetini.
The Tullow Tesla
While there was no sign of the Tullow Tank, Sean O’Brien in London Irish’s 29-20 victory over Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup the Tullow Tesla, wing Cillian Redmond did chip in with a try scoring contribution.
Carlow-born Redmond, who has previously played at underage representative level and for Leinster A and Lansdowne in the All Ireland League signed a one-year contract last month after impressing London Irish’s director or rugby Declan Kidney and head coach Les Kiss following a trial at the club, facilitated by O’Brien.
Four years ago, Redmond, then 17, was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. It started as a swelling in his neck and when eventually diagnosed he underwent chemotherapy. During the process he lost 30 kilograms in body weight. He tore ankle ligaments on his return to the sport.
In an interview with Newstalk’s Off the Ball he outlined the part that rugby played in his rehabilitation. He explained: “The lads didn’t give me any special treatment. If I made a mistake they hopped off me, which just made me feel normal.
“And that was so important, because there were so many thoughts running through my head, ‘like, is everyone looking at me because I’m bald or I’m skinny.’ I had no eyelashes or eyebrows or whatever the case may be. But then to go in and get smacked by the opposition, it was great.”
Having played for the London Irish A team last month he made his senior debut in the Premiership Cup win over the Northampton Saints and on Friday night the 21-year-old scored a first try.
World Rugby facing a reffing challenge
World Rugby is faced with a pointed challenge in relation to the increasing clamour on and off the pitch in relation to officiating. The questioning of referee decisions by sundry players rather than just the captain is now commonplace with some match officials feeling the need to give ever longer explanations.
There is way too much chirping and it’s slowing down the game. Referees shouldn’t have to give an explanation for every decision.
In a week in which Rassie Erasmus was handed a 10-month ban from matchday activities as well as a two-month ban from all rugby for his video offering criticising Nic Berry’s performance in the first test between South Africa and the Lions, World Rugby may be firing up the disciplinary process once again.
Australian coach Dave Rennie couldn’t contain his frustration with the officiating following his side’s injury time defeat to Wales at the Principality stadium.
He’s certainly not prone to venting his anger against match officials but the Welsh game coupled with other decisions a fortnight earlier against Scotland finally snapped his patience, especially in relation to the television match official for the Tests in question, South Africa’s Marius Jonker.
Rennie said: “Everyone is accountable, or they should be. Certainly, we are. And we want to make sure the officials are also accountable. So, Marius’ decision a couple of weeks ago decided a game, yet he was appointed again. Is there any accountability around guys making errors that are deciding Test matches?”
When asked if he expected to be disciplined for his comments he said: “No doubt, but how do I support our team? By biting my lip again and us getting apologies during the week? There were lots of decisions today [THAT]I’m not going to go into that had a massive bearing on the game.
“Our boys played with a lot of courage, and a lot of heart tonight, and we almost did enough to win that; incredibly disappointing with the officiating. We will follow it with a report.”
