As an exercise in readying themselves for the world champions at Croke Park on Saturday, Ireland's victory over Fiji was useful enough, writes Brendan Fanning in the Irish Independent.
"The highlight for the home team was the debut of Jonny Sexton who hit seven from seven with his goal kicks, punted very well, and made a handful of clean breaks. All of which was enough to secure him the man-of-the-match award, which may well have been a unique occurrence for an Ireland debutant, Sexton kept his defensive end up as well. And now? Well, if we are to move him along then sooner rather than later then he needs to get game time against a first-world nation.
"That won't mean a start against the 'Boks at Croke Park but he needs to get on the pitch at some point because Ireland need another out-half and this boy is in form. Gordon D'Arcy too made a case for himself, and Tom Court at loose head got through a load of work around the field."
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