Gibson-Park rated as ‘brains’ of Ireland’s Six Nations title win
Kiwi halfback Jamison Gibson-Park has been hailed as the “life and brains” of Ireland’s back-to-back Six Nations title triumphs.
Gibson-Park was man of the match as Ireland held off a late-charging Scotland to win 17-13 in Dublin on yesterday and retain their crown.
Coach Andy Farrell believes there is “more in this team yet’’ despite failing to collect a Grand Slam after a round-four loss to England at Twickenham.
A relieved Gibson-Park said after the final whistle that it was “tough going and two good teams going at it. Our backs were against the wall a little bit, and I’m hugely proud of the boys.
“To be back here in front of our friends, our family and our home supporters is pretty incredible, especially two years in a row.”
Gibson-Park - a former Taranaki, Blues and Hurricanes halfback now playing for Leinster - was rated Ireland’s best by a range of international media outlets, with Planet Rugby awarding him 9 out of 10.
“The scrum-half has grown in influence since the retirement of Johnny Sexton as the life and brains of the team,’’ it said. “Gibson-Park is an incredibly intelligent rugby player who rarely makes a bad decision. Just about everything good from Ireland today came through the experienced star.”
Gibson-Park’s Kiwi compatriot Bundee Aki continued his fine form in midfield, with 12 carries and nine tackles against Scotland.
Former Māori All Blacks wing James Lowe had four Six Nations tries, finishing one behind joint top try-scorers, Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan and Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe.
Farrell played down any disappointment on not banking a second Grand Slam by pointing to the competitiveness of this year’s Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Warren Gatland offered his resignation minutes after his side were condemned to a first ‘wooden spoon’ in 21 years.
Wales suffered their worst Six Nations finish since 2003 after falling to a 24-21 defeat against a much-improved Italy side that, by contrast, finished their best-ever campaign with a flourish.
Italy’s triumph never looked in doubt, although Wales staged a surprising late fightback with a trio of scores from Elliot Dee, Will Rowlands and Mason Grady. Their late resurgence, however, was in vain.
In his post-match press conference, Gatland – who signed a five-year contract with the Wales Rugby Union in December 2022 – revealed he offered his resignation to Abi Tierney, the WRU chief executive, immediately after the match.
When asked if he would consider staying on in his role until the 2027 World Cup, Gatland replied: “Yes, absolutely. I’ve made that commitment. I just said to Abi [Tierney] in the changing room if you want me to resign, I’m quite happy to do that.”
In the other match, France managed to get one for the ages after Thomas Ramos landed a 47m penalty to give his team a 33-31 win in Lyon. The result over bitter rival England ensured France finished the championship runners-up to Ireland.