Eire head coach Andy Farrell lauded Ross Byrne’s “nerves of metal” after the substitute kicked a dramatic late penalty to sink Australia in Dublin.
Having been known as into the matchday squad solely minutes earlier than kick-off, the Leinster fly-half slotted between the posts from near the touchline to offer the hosts a 13-10 victory.
The 27-year-old was successful his first cap since March final yr.
“He has nerves of metal,” Farrell informed Amazon Prime.
“He deserves the whole lot he will get so far as plaudits are involved. It takes guts, does not it, to again your self and go for it.
“He was by no means unsure. He truly took the kick fairly shortly however I’m completely delighted for him.”
Byrne, a late addition to the Eire squad in the course of the week as a substitute for the injured Joey Carbery, was not initially named in Farrell’s 23-man panel for the final of their three autumn internationals.
Nonetheless, captain Johnny Sexton, who himself missed the win over Fiji final week due to a useless leg, needed to drop out of the crew simply minutes earlier than Saturday’s victory over the Aussies after choosing up a calf pressure.
That meant 22-year-old fly-half Jack Crowley was drafted into the beginning line-up on the final minute, with Byrne taking his place on the bench earlier than changing him within the second half.
Farrell additionally had particular reward for Munster’s Crowley, who kicked the one penalty of the primary half in what was simply simply his third senior Eire look.
“That was such a giant win for us as a squad,” the top coach continued.
“No person likes to lose their captain simply earlier than the sport however it’s nice for us going ahead, discovering out about ourselves as a gaggle.
“Jack coming in – what a 5 – 6 weeks it has been for him. [Playing for] Rising Eire after which he finds himself on the bench, and his debut after which finds himself beginning.
“The group sorted him, they sorted Joe [McCarthy, who came on for his debut against Australia] as properly and I assumed Craig Casey did properly when he got here on.
“It’s superior on this window to seek out out extra concerning the group and push ahead on to the Six Nations.”
‘Good sides discover a technique to win’
Saturday night’s win over the Wallabies, which accomplished a hat-trick of autumn victories for the world’s number-one-ranked facet, was a tense and cagey affair.
Substitute Bundee Aki, coming back from suspension, scored a transformed attempt that was cancelled out by Jordan Petaia going over earlier than Byrne’s decisive set-piece.
Farrell accepted it was not the prettiest of performances however was happy with how his facet endured till securing a victory.
“You discover out on days like these. We have had a little bit of sickness going by means of the squad and fatigue as properly, though we have solely performed three video games.
“However there’s been no excuses, like when your captain goes down. It is good for us as a gaggle as a result of it exhibits us the place we’re at.
“We weren’t at our greatest and Australia deserve credit score for that however when issues aren’t fairly going your manner, good sides attempt to discover a manner. We discovered a little bit of luck however we got here out on the appropriate facet and we roll onto the Six Nations.”
