Teams rarely leave Dublin victorious after playing Ireland. But for the first time since France won at the Aviva Stadium in the 2021 Six Nations, defeat has arrived, with New Zealand running out 23-13 victors. And this could mean a shake-up for the visit of Argentina.
Andy Farrell was quick to describe losing at home as a “funny old feeling.” Looking at the latest sports betting, it’s not something that is usually expected to occur, and the hope will be that it’s a one-off rather than something that could turn into a disappointing Autumn campaign.
Ireland had gone nineteen games unbeaten on home soil since their reverse to France, a game that was played in an empty stadium. But this time, the Aviva was full, and fans decided to leave early, long after the writing was already on the wall.
The good thing for Farrell is that he knows that Argentina are to come and there’s a chance to make amends and put things right quickly. However, it will be a game earlier than planned where changes will happen. The reality is Farrell would have experimented against Fiji on the 23rd.
Now, after what he’s seen, Farrell may decide that experimenting has to happen against Argentina. This may mean he looks deeper into his squad, and it’s possible that wholesale changes are on the cards. It could be what’s needed to bounce back from the New Zealand disappointment immediately.
Against the All Blacks, Farrell went with a tried-and-tested team. A team he knows and a line-up comprising ten players who started in the World Cup quarter-final. You could argue that it was the team most would have picked and one that should have been good enough to win.
You could also argue that the team missed Johnny Sexton in a big way. Sexton brings a lot to the backline, and his game management was a significant absence and clearly felt. Jack Crowley has been struggling to deliver in the number ten jersey since Sexton’s retirement, too.
Players who could enter the thinking for Farrell are Ryan Baird and Craig Casey, with both potentially set to be reintroduced. They were probably unfortunate not to be involved against New Zealand and will be chomping at the bit to be back in the fold. Calvin Nash is another who could get a chance.
In the grand scheme of things, losing at home after a nineteen-game unbeaten streak may turn out to be nothing to be concerned about. However, it’s also worth noting that this was the third defeat they’ve suffered in their last five, after losing to England and South Africa as well.
It will be the manner of the defeat that proves concerning to Farrell, though. Ireland were ineffective in how they went about things, and that leaves a lot of questions to be answered. A shake-up for Argentina may be what’s required to shake the malaise and to bring about some answers.
