Cian Prendergast believes his brother Sam showed his class as he helped steer Ireland towards a dramatic 33-31 win against Australia in Sydney on Saturday night.
Both Prendergast brothers made a mark on the scoreboard, with Cian forcing his way over the line for Ireland’s opening try, while Sam slotted four out of five conversion attempts, the last of which tipped the scales in their favour with two minutes to play.
It was just the second time the pair have started together for Ireland, and this time the outcome was much different, compared to Ireland’s Six Nations opener away to France in February.
Sam lost his place as Ireland’s first choice out-half from Round 3 onwards, returning to the 10 jersey last night with Jack Crowley sidelined through injury.
And Cian was particularly thrilled for his younger brother’s showing in Sydney.
“It was brilliant and obviously I’m delighted for Sam to slot the kick,” he said.
Sam Prendergast kicked eight points off the tee
“I thought he was brilliant and managed the game excellently in the second half in the right areas of the field.
“He kicked really well, and yeah, some set of stones on him to slot to slot the kick at the end.
“Obviously, he had a bit of a tough Six Nations and a tough [season] until the end of the URC season, so I’m really stoked for him with the way the season has turned around.
“He was excellent against the Bulls and he was excellent in that run-in for Leinster. For him to kick that kick at the end, it just shows the character he is.”
Sam’s half-back partner Jamison Gibson-Park was equally effusive in his praise for the 23-year-old, who has returned to form late in the season, after a what had previously been a tough campaign.
“I had a lot of faith in Sammy, and he did an awesome job,” Gibson-Park said.
“He’s taken it all in his stride. He had his challenges throughout the season, and then he got a crack ultimately to finish out the URC and was outstanding. And he’s kind of brought that form into camp, I feel.
“I think his confidence has grown massively.”
Cian Prendergast and Sam Prendergast started together for Ireland for just the second time
For the older Prendergast brother, Saturday was his also his first Ireland start since the opening round of the Six Nations.
The Connacht captain forced his way over for Ireland’s opening score, while he was particularly active behind the ball, making 18 tackles in just over 50 minutes.
And he has credited his province’s big finish to the season for how he has been able to work his way back into the Test picture.
“I was delighted to get the opportunity, and it’s brilliant to be playing with lads like Jack [Conan], Josh [Van der Flier], and Nick [Timoney], Tadhg [Beirne] as well.
“It’s been a great week of build-up and they’ve been brilliant for me. Just little conversations. I’m just delighted we got the result in the end.
“Obviously since January, the Connacht season turned around and we went on a run. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the end result we wanted, but it’s brilliant to be part of this tour, such an exciting tour, and to get the results today and be part of a famous win like that is brilliant.”
Cian Prendergast scores Ireland’s opening try
The 26-year-old will hope to stay in the selection picture this week, as Ireland turn their attention towards Japan, whom they face in Newcastle, on Saturday.
And he insists that in spite of Saturday’s win, there will need to be improvements after what was a fast and loose performance against the Wallabies.
“It was a weird old game. In fairness, they were good in the first half. They were physical,” Prendergast added.
“It didn’t feel like ourselves out there in the first half at times, but in fairness, the bench made a huge impact, and the grit of the group. We dug out a win, so delighted with that.
“Defensively we felt like there was just a little bit more in us, and that was just the feeling.
“Obviously we’ll look back in the game and see what happened, but, look, there’s definitely more in us, and that’s the exciting thing as well.”