Two decent packs, two close to anonymous backlines. Main difference between the backlines was the South African one could generate yards simply by running hard at the centres, D'Arcy missed three tackles that I saw, and that Pienaar is a far cleverer player than Murray. Zebo looks a talent at this level but he needs to learn that you won't get anything out of anyone by drifting across the field at their outside shoulder, killed a lot of attacks like that. Not sure how anyone could take anything about Trimble away from that match, fair enough if you'd already made your mind up, but he was given sod all to work with.
I don't think Bowe is the answer to your problems at centre, think he loses something in attack and for all his size he's not the greatest defender. If you want someone to ensure defensive solidity at least, give Cave a try. Certainly someone like him should be ahead of D'Arcy who is just brutally poor. But, much as Ireland's backline looked poor, judging them on a day when the team's great attacking idea was static one out runners isn't completely fair imo. I think a better coaching team could get far more out of those players.
How many forwards were South Africa missing? That wasn't a bad Ireland pack by any means, but nowhere near their best and with several players you'd have to question over their power in terms of international rugby. Should never have been allowed to make such a mess of the breakdown - just like Ireland should never have allowed that maul I suppose - and I'd have expected a bit more from them.
