Joe Schmidt’s first game in charge won’t live too long in the memory. The same however can’t be said for Brian O’Driscoll’s scintillating skill in the second half.
The record books will show a 40-9 victory, five tries, including two for debutant Dave Kearney while another making his first start, Jack McGrath claimed the man of the match award, but the game was a bit of a slow burner from an Irish perspective.
As the new head coach said afterwards, this was just the appetiser with the Wallabies and All Blacks set to roll into town, and the most memorable piece of action was arguably another moment of sheer brilliance from O’Driscoll in the second half.
Jackson’s kick downfield wasn’t claimed by the opposition and a slip allowed the Leinster centre to run onto the loose ball on the ground. With the ball a little behind him, the onrushing O’Driscoll claimed on the ground and swept the ball between his legs to his colleague Fergus McFadden.
Ingenious, but only what we have come to expect from O’Driscoll at this stage.
