Woeful Ireland panned by critics Kilted Kiwi concussed on debut
Irish rugby critics have rounded on Joe Schmidt’s team after their shellacking at Twickenham, with an ex-international drawing comparisons between the Loch Ness Monster and Ireland’s World Cup title hopes.
Schmidt admitted his team were ‘‘dishevelled’’ and lamented Ireland’s high error rate in a 57-15 defeat against England in London yesterday.
But former Ireland lock Neil Francis was more scathing.
‘‘Ireland lacked the right attitude and showed no courage in their performance, something I have not seen in a long time from an Irish side under Joe Schmidt,’’ Francis wrote in the Irish Independent. ‘‘It set a dangerous precedent a month out from their World Cup adventure.
‘‘Ireland’s World Cup credentials and the Loch Ness Monster have something in common – there is a strong suspicion that neither exists.’’
Gavin Cummiskey, the match ratings writer for the Irish Times, also slammed Ireland’s players and coach.
He gave Schmidt and his coaching team a 2 out of 10 rating, saying: Record defeat. Seven months of excuses. Multiple problems can be laid at the head coach’s door but the incoming head coach [Andy Farrell] is currently responsible for defence (34 missed tackles) as three early tries exposed Ireland on the edges. Disaster similar to 2007 looms.’’
Cummiskey rated Ireland’s players between 3 and 6 and suggested the days of overseas imports Bundee Aki and C J Stander could be numbered.
He also suggested it could be time to replace Ireland’s evergreen captain Rory Best, who was rated a 3.
‘‘Time catches everyone and the 37-year-old captain looks to be in major trouble. [Iain] Henderson must carry partial blame for the malfunctioning lineout but at least four of Best’s throws were atrocious. Suddenly he is droppable.’’ Scotland are hoping their latest Kilted Kiwi – backrower Blade Thomson – will not be ruled out of World Cup contention after another brush with concussion.
The former Hurricanes utility had to leave the field during an impressive test debut – in Scotland’s 17-14 World Cup warmup win over
France – after a head knock early in the second half.
Thomson,
28, was due to make his debut for Scotland in last November’s international series but was ruled out after a major concussion on duty for Welsh club Scarlets.
Gisborne-raised Thomson was one of three Scotland players injured at Murrayfield yesterday, joining lock Sam Skinner (hamstring) and wing Tommy Seymour (concussion) in the casualty ward.
‘‘It is always disappointing when you see someone getting injured and it may mean that they miss the World Cup. Sam Skinner’s, out of the three, looks to be more of a serious injury,’’ Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said.
Thomson made his first-class debut in 2010 and played 47 games for Taranaki and 45 for the Hurricanes before joining Scarlets.
He qualifies for Scotland through a Scots grandfather.
Thomson has joined former Crusaders wing Sean Maitland – a try-scorer against France – and Christchurch-born prop Simon Berghan as the New Zealanders in the current Scottish ranks.