Ireland need to mix and match their team for Tonga test while keeping their big guns fresh to face...
Daily Mail As Bundee Aki sprinted to win the race for Jack Crowley's chip ahead, the clock read 82 minutes and 17 seconds.
Aki gathered marvellously, then off-loaded expertly to the supporting Garry Ringrose.
The outside centre drew the sole defender and threw a straightforward pass for Tadhg Beirne to slide over and score Ireland's twelfth try.
That willingness to keep the ball alive and try to chase one more score left Andy Farrell looking very pleased after the match, but the identity of the trio involved was crucial, too.
Aki, Ringrose and Beirne all played the full game in extremely testing conditions and, if this reflects well on Ireland's physical preparation like the excellent performance of 38 year old Johnny Sexton after a six-month absence did it also gives a strong indication of the coach's plans for the coming fortnight.
Ireland's World Cup fortunes will be dictated by what happens between now and the night of September 23. The team Farrell picks to play Tonga next week will be heavily influenced by the South Africa game.
