Ireland ended their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a 52-17 win over Fiji at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell asked his side to be more ruthless and they answered scoring eight tries to two scored by Fiji.
Ireland started like a house on fire and scored their first try with their first entry into the Fiji twenty-two. Ireland won the lineout, and Joe McCarthy gathered a pass coming around the corner of the maul. He offloads inside to his captain, Caelon Doris, who cannot be stopped. Sam Prendergast lands the conversion to extend the Irish lead to 07-00
Eight minutes later, Ireland took a quick tap five meters from Fiji's tryline and in a neatly planned quick tap, saw van der Flier crash over from short range. They switched the play, and Caelen Doris offloads to Josh van der Flier to score. With Sam Prendergast still in the bin, Craig Casey takes the easy conversion.
Fiji almost immediately replied with a converted penalty by Caleb Muntz to reduce the Irish lead to 14-03.
After thirty minutes of play, hooker Gus McCarthy broke off from the back of a maul and offloaded outside him to Casey, who scored in the corner. Sam Prendergast converted the try to extend Ireland's lead 21-03.
With time up on the clock Ireland moved the ball wide when Sam Prendergast spots Mack Hansen in acres of space and picked him out with ease with a crossfield kick to score the Irish fourth try. Sam Prendergast converted.
At that stage, Ireland was in complete control going into the halftime break with a 28-03 lead. Fiji led the card count with two to the one of Ireland.
After ten minutes of play in the second half, Bundi Aki scored a great try following great interplay and passing by the Irish. Sam Prendergast added his fourth conversion.
Ten minutes later flanker Kitione Salawa spotted a gap and drove through to score Fiji's first try of the match. He cannot be stopped and reaches out to score. Caleb Muntz added the two points.
Ireland won the five-meter lineout and hooker Gus McCarthy scored his first try for Ireland. Sam Prendergast converted to extend Ireland's lead to 42-10.
Fiji struck back immediately when great footwork from flyhalf Caleb Muntz got him through and then passed to his left to find Setareki Turagacoke, who went over untouched. Caleb Muntz gets the easy conversion.
With the time running out Fiji could not deal with the kick-off and lose possession. They concede the penalty and, after Setareki Turagacoke dives over the ruck, he is shown a yellow card, Fiji's third.
With eight minutes to play Craig Casey passed to Mack Hansen on the right-hand touchline who dove over for his second try of the match. Sam Prendergast added the extra two to extend Ireland's lead to 47-17.
With a minute to play, hooker Kelleher throws to the front of the lineout and gets it straight back from Caelon Doris to score his double of the night and secure Ireland an eight-try 52-17 win.
Scorers:
Ireland: Tries: Caelon Doris (2), Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey, Mack Hansen (2), Bundi Aki, Gus McCarthy. Conversions: Sam Prendergast (4), Craig Casey.
Fiji: Tries: Kitione Salawa, Setareki Turagacoke. Conversions: Caleb Muntz (2). Penalty: Caleb Muntz.
Teams
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Tadgh Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Andrew Porter. Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey.
Fiji: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Meli Derenalagai, 5 Temo Mayanavunua, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi. Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Sireli Maqala.