Ireland head coach Andy Farrell admitted Cian Healy’s leg damage “doesn’t look too good” following an emphatic 32-17 defeat by the Maori All Blacks.
Veteran prop Healy, who got here off the bench after worldwide rookie Jeremy Loughman required a head damage evaluation, left the pitch on a medical cart having twisted awkwardly.
If the front-row pair are dominated out of Saturday’s opening Test in opposition to New Zealand, Andrew Porter could be Ireland’s solely out there loosehead.
Farrell, who fielded an experimental beginning XV in Hamilton, additionally misplaced centre James Hume to damage, whereas full-back Jimmy O’Brien sustained a knock.
“Cian doesn’t look too good… he was in a bit of pain coming off the field,” mentioned Farrell. “(The injury) has settled down a bit so we will have to see with him.
“Jeremy actually passed his HIA (head injury assessment) by the independent doctor. We brought him off as a precaution, put Cian on and then that happens to Cian, which is not nice really.
“Jimmy came off with a strain. He’s feeling good in the changing rooms. James Hume has a bit of a groin injury that needs assessment tomorrow.”
Farrell is ready to call his workforce for the weekend conflict with the All Blacks on Thursday.
While Porter has established himself as first-choice within the Irish primary jersey, the potential lack of canopy is a priority. Connacht’s Finlay Bealham has featured at loosehead earlier than in worldwide rugby however is a recognised tighthead.
Ireland suffered a punishing begin to their tour after an unfamiliar workforce that includes 5 uncapped gamers had been dismantled within the opening interval.
The dominant Maoris – who started with 10 debutants – ran in 4 tries to successfully wrap up victory by the break.
Scores from stand-in skipper Bundee Aki and the spectacular Gavin Coombes both facet of half-time had been scant comfort for the Irish, who no less than saved out their opponents within the second interval.
Farrell will swiftly flip his consideration to taking over the All Blacks in Auckland, the place he’ll carry again his senior gamers and hope for a far larger exhibiting.
“We’re disappointed, the boys are disappointed, obviously,” he mentioned.
“They feel they could have given a better account of themselves, certainly in the first half. The Maori team 100 per cent deservedly won that game.
“But I’m proud of the boys, the way they came back. It could have been a landslide with the way the score was at half-time.
“The way that some of the individuals have learned, stood up, done some unbelievably good stuff and then some really poor stuff on the back of that is brilliant learnings.
“In all, it’s a good day for us in regards to lads learning lessons and knowing that if we fix a few things, especially discipline-wise, we can give a better account of ourselves in the next game.”
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk
