Saturday, December 14, 2024

Ireland v Australia: Joe Schmidt on fly-half Sam Prendergast

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Sam Prendergast will again walk out at the Aviva Stadium wearing Ireland’s number 10 green jersey for Saturday’s game against Australia.

Prendergast, who made his full debut in last week’s win over Fiji, has been given the nod ahead of Jack Crowley by Andy Farrell.

Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, now in charge of Australia, says he was first made aware of Prendergast’s talents by then Ireland Under-20 coach and current Ulster boss Richie Murphy.

“I was talking to Richie Murphy two years ago and he was saying ‘wow, this kid can play’,” the Wallabies coach said.

“He got his debut against Fiji and I thought he did really well and Faz [Andy Farrell] must have thought he did alright as well because he’s put him back in against us.

“I’m not saying it’s ever going to be easier for him but imagine having Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki inside and outside, Robbie Henshaw right there, Caelan Doris further in… While his [Prendergast’s] experience isn’t great, the people around him have got fantastic experience.”

Schmidt added Gibson-Park’s presence at scrum-half probably represents the principal tactical difference from his Ireland team although he maintained that Farrell’s side “are not that different”.

“Jamison Gibson-Park gives them so much speed in how quickly he arrives and distributes the ball at the breakdown,” he said.

“We probably used Conor’s [Murray] kicking game a bit more, not that Jamison has got a bad kicking game. People tend to play to their strengths and then as a coach, you’re trying to maximise the strengths you have in the team.”

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