On second and third viewings, the performances of Rob Kearney and Tadhg Furlong have been properly rewarded.
The Ireland fullback and tighthead put in class performances in their side’s 28-19 victory over Argentina, at the Aviva Stadium.
Kearney looked back to his dashing, counter-attacking best and Furlong was in beast mode for the 65 minutes he was out on the pitch. While Kearney cut the Pumas defence to ribbons and gobbled up the ground, his Leinster and Ireland teammate was part of a ferocious pack that scrummed the visitors off the park.
Both men won praise for their performances but the revised match statistics have gone to highlight just how crucial they were to their team’s seventh win on the spin.
Doubt him now… https://t.co/IsGaOqGLEE
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 26, 2017
ESPN, last night, credited Kearney with 96 metres gained off 10 carries [two clean breaks, six defenders beaten] and seven successful tackles. After further viewings of the game, Kearney’s stats have now been upped to 11 carries for 105 metres gained, with an extra, successful tackle too.
As for Furlong, his tackling stats have shot up. On first viewing, and at close quarters, a few of Furlong’s tackles were missed. Given time, that has now been rectified.
The Wexford man is now Ireland’s top tackler, with 17 successful defensive hits. This one, for example, dislodged the ball from Argentina lock Tomas Lavanini and the turnover sparked an Adam Byrne counter-attack over on the far wing.
Kearney and Furlong really stepped up when asked and Leinster fans will hope they carry on that form into the Champions Cup and interprovincial fixtures over the festive period.
A few more Irish players have also been credited for extra tackles, CJ Stander [15], Cian Healy [11] and Conor Murray [6] upped by one, while Bundee Aki had two more added to his tally, taking him to 16.
Both Stander and Aki missed four tackles apiece, so one can rest assured that Andy Farrell and Joe Schmidt will be emailing those video clips on as part of their personal game review package.
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