Incredible stuff from the national broadcaster’s veterans.
Ireland ran into a red-brick wall at the Millennium Stadium, this afternoon, and there were plenty of reasons for it.
The Irish side made handling errors, kicked for touch rather than take handy points, lost lineouts, played too narrow and found referee Wayne Barnes in pernicious form.
However, over at Montrose, RTÉ rugby presenter Tom McGurk and George Hook zeroed in on the central nub of the 23-16 loss – Ireland had an outside centre from Tauranga, New Zealand.
Jared Payne has been qualified to represent Ireland, under World Rugby rules, since the start of the season having achieved three years of straight residency in this country. The Ulster back wore the Irish No.13 jersey today and, while he had a decent game, could not unlock the determined Welsh defence.
Over in the RTÉ studios, Hook declared, ‘I’d like to know why Ireland has a problem of picking second rate foreign players.’
The former Connacht coach went on to say, ‘Ian Madigan has been appallingly treated… He should be at inside centre [for Leinster] and playing week-in, week-out.’
Fellow pundits Conor O’Shea and Shane Horan turned on Hook, and defended Payne, before McGurk chipped in.
He asked, ‘Is it good enough for a guy who cannot make the All Blacks or Springboks to come over here and play for us?’
A heated debate ensued.
For Brian O’Driscoll, who famously wore the Ireland 13 jersey for 15 memorable years, there was one real reason why Wales won:
What a proper 6N TEST match. Incredible commitment from both sides. The difference in the end was Wales Defense. Simply immense today.
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) March 14, 2015
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