The fact that the Ireland centre was able to make it into the second half was a remarkable enough feat.
It was not until both sides lined up for the anthems, on Wednesday night, that we truly saw how much bigger the Australians were. The Aussies had brought a physically imposing team to Dublin but, to the likes of Jenny Murphy and Marie Louise Reilly, it just meant bigger foes to fell.
Australia may have been short on Test rugby – five Tests in three years – but they looked really impressive for an hour. It was a miracle that the hosts found themselves only 10-7 down before their bench made a winning difference in the last quarter.
Murphy was not on the field when the final whistle went and the spent Irish players found just enough energy to celebrate a 19-17 victory. However, her 48 minutes on that field set the tone for a win that sets Ireland up for a good run at this World Cup.
In the first 10 minutes, the Ireland centre laid in three massive defensive hits. Each one was shuddering and drove her opposite number back. One produced a fumble, an Ireland turnover and gasps from the packed crowd in the main stand.
We should take tour buses to see Jenny Murphy smashing people in the tackle, tis truly one of our most aesthetically pleasing sights #coygig
— Kate McEvoy (@ImKateMc) August 9, 2017
Murphy’s display was not flawless – on a couple of occasions she rammed into contact when a pass was on outside and there was one forward pass to Eimear Considine – but it was the snarling intent that she prowled and tackled with that inspired those around her.
Midway through the first half she showed up in attack, taking the crash ball straight into Shami Williams and leg-driving through for a gain of a few metres. Ireland were turned over less than 60 seconds later and Murphy was needed in attack, bringing down the dangerous Nareta Marsters.
The Aussies managed to get over for a try, not long after, but Ireland managed to go into the break 7-5 ahead. Murphy was not the only player putting their body on the line but it came at a cost. She was moving gingerly as the half ended, nursing her left leg and right shoulder.
She was slow getting to the changing rooms at half-time but back to her explosive best for the second 40, teaming up with Alison Miller to chase down a Nora Stapleton punt and then doubling up with Heather O’Brien to bring down a charging Kayla Sauvao down.
On 45 minutes, a loose Aussie pass put scrum-half Katrina Barker in trouble. Murphy and Sene Naoupu gobbled her up and sent her sprawling. It was the 28-year-old’s 10th tackle of the night and it would also be her last.
She stayed on until Ireland weathered another storm but was replaced by Tom Tierney after 48 minutes.
Don't rule out Jenny Murphy making tackles from the bench she was hitting from everywhere! Seriously tho big loss for Ireland. #WRWC2017
— Harpin' On Rugby (@HarpinOnRugby) August 9, 2017
Huge performance by @MazzieReilly and hope @jennymurphy045 is back making more bone crunching tackles 💪💪 #WRWC2017 @IrishRugby
— Seán Ó Conchubhair (@Connacht74) August 9, 2017
@jennymurphy045 congrats on the win Jen. Hard fought game. I see you still hit as hard as ever! Good luck to you and the girls
— Paul Jones (@pauldjones46) August 10, 2017
Ireland fan Killian Byrne was in the crowd at the UCD Bowl and was sitting in front of Murphy’s family. As she made her way to the bench, a member of the Murphy Clann remarked, “At least she’s walking.”
They are used to Jenny Murphy putting it all on the line for her country.
Absolutely classic @Inphosports picture!
Well done @jennymurphy045 and Ireland. That was some gutsy win! pic.twitter.com/dVDOYSfqAS
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) August 9, 2017
All Murphy could do in the tense closing stages was cheer her team on. Tierney said his centre should be fit to play Japan on Sunday but it would be no surprise to see her rested ahead of next Thursday’s game with France.
