In the past, when Andy Farrell has rung the changes, his wider squad haven’t always made the most of their opportunity to impress, but this was much more like it from Ireland.
Aided by an indisciplined Fijian side, whose search for a first win over Ireland goes on, Farrell will be very pleased with how his younger players in particular stood up to a typically physical test from the Pacific Islanders.
Ultimately, Ireland were too smart, as their brilliantly executed set-piece moves wreaked havoc, although they were breathing a major sigh of relief when Sam Prendergast’s first-half yellow card for a tucked arm in the tackle was not upgraded to a red.
The Fijians players’ reaction told its own story, as they were aghast that Prendergast didn’t remain off the pitch for the duration, but as it was, the 21-year-old out-half returned after the regular 10 minutes and confidently steered Ireland to a comfortable victory on his first start at the Aviva Stadium, which was marked by his older brother Cian joining him off the bench.
Prendergast’s full array of passing was on show, while debutants Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu also looked at home on this stage.
McCarthy scored one try and had a hand in another five, as some of the hooker’s link-play was just as eye-catching as his 10’s, even if he will be frustrated with some of his lineout throwing.
Ulster back-row Izuchukwu had a try chalked off, but his all-action performance suggested that he and McCarthy will have plenty of more days in green.
Ireland’s youngsters were led by their more experienced team-mates, as Caelan Doris, Joe McCarthy, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne all played their part in a dominant performance from the pack, while Bundee Aki was excellent in midfield.
Four first-half tries from Doris, Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey and Mack Hansen were followed by another four second-half scores from Bundee Aki, Gus McCarthy, Rónan Kelleher and a second for Hansen.
It took Ireland just five minutes to get into their groove. Prendergast’s superb kick found the corner, and as the lineout fired off a dummy maul, Gus McCarthy peeled on the loop and found Doris, who powered over.
Prendergast converted but he soon found himself in hot water when he caught Kitione Salawa with a tucked arm, but Ireland managed the sin bin period very well after Jiuta Wainiqolo knocked on just shy of the line.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ireland struck for their second try, and again it came from a training ground move. This time it was a five-metre tap that caused the damage, as Gus McCarthy’s lovely pass out the back for Doris allowed the captain to put Van der Flier over.
Casey added the extras with his half-back partner in the bin, but Prendergast soon returned as the officials deemed that his offence was “not a high degree of danger.”
Caleb Muntz put Fiji on the board with a long-range penalty, yet that was as good as it got for the visitors, as Ireland upped it for the remainder of the half.
Jamie Osborne was forced off injured, with Ciarán Frawley replacing him at full-back, but Ireland never lost their rhythm.
Their third try arrived off the back of a rolling maul, with Gus McCarthy breaking off and throwing an excellent offload to reward Casey with his darting run down the blindside.
Prendergast nailed the touchline conversion, and the Kildare native was on target again in the dying stages after his inch-perfect cross-field was finished off by Hansen for a commanding 28-3 lead at the break.
Unlike the previous two weeks when Ireland went 36 and 48 minutes without scoring against New Zealand and Argentina, Farrell’s side pressed home their advantage.
Ireland’s willingness to keep the ball alive in contact led to their fifth try, and with Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy again central to it, Aki scampered through a gaping hole in the Fiji defence for another concerted score.
As Farrell emptied his bench, Jacob Stockdale limping off after a sharp display, Ireland lost some of their shape with the enforced back-line changes, and Fiji capitalised through a Salawa try that was converted by Muntz.
Conor Murray, playing on the wing, thought he was over in the corner, but play was called back for a Frawley forward pass.
Ireland soon made amends, as Gus McCarthy got on the end of a rolling maul, but Fiji immediately hit back with a wonderful score from Setareki Turagacoke, who was then yellow-carded for a ruck offence.
Ireland continued to punish Fiji’s indiscipline, as Hansen scored a seventh try from Casey’s razor-sharp pass before Kelleher completed the rout, as attention turns to Australia next Saturday.
Scorers – Ireland: Hansen 2 tries, Doris, Van der Flier, Casey, Aki, G McCarthy try each; Prendergast 5 cons; Casey 1 con.
Fiji: Salawa, Turagacoke try each; Muntz 2 cons, pen.
Ireland – J Osborne (C Frawley, 27); M Hansen, R Henshaw (S McCloskey 48), B Aki (R Kelleher 73), J Stockdale (C Murray 49; S Prendergast, C Casey; A Porter (T O’Toole 48), G McCarthy, F Bealham (T Clarkson 48); J McCarthy, T Beirne; C Izuchukwu (I Henderson 51), J van der Flier (C Prendergast 48), C Doris.
Fiji – V Karawalevu; J Wainiqolo, W Nayacalevu (co-capt) (V Botitu 61), J Tuisova, P Loiganimasi (S Maqala 55); C Muntz, F Lomani (P Matawalu 22), E Mawi (H Hetet 50), T Ikanivere (co-capt) (S Matavesi 51), L Tagi (S Tawake h-t); M Vocevoce, T Mayanavanua (S Turagacoke 59); R M Derenalgi (A Tuisue 59), K Salawa (H Hetet 22-29), E Canakaivata.
Ref: H Davidson (Scotland)