Amid the ambulance load of bumps and bruises, Conor O'Shea was the major casualty from Ireland's record-breaking defeat by Australia in the first test in Brisbane on Saturday. The Irish fullback suffered a broken jaw and has already been ruled out of next Saturday's second test in Perth.
"Conor's injury is not quite as bad as it sounds and he won't require an operation," said Irish manager Donal Lenihan, "but it does put him out of action for four weeks."
Keith Wood is suffering from a dead leg, and several others are nursing various injuries. "There are a few other wounds, but mostly it's wounded pride," added Lenihan.
Privately, the management were also probably relieved that although the Wallaby coach Rod McQueen expressed his disappointment with "a few off the ball incidents", the Australians wouldn't be citing any Irish players.
Peter Clohessy could clearly been seen to ruck onto the legs of Ben Tune, who reacted indignantly before limping off with an injury that will keep him out of the second test. The incident didn't go unpunished, for it cost Ireland a reversed penalty inside the Wallaby half and afterwards Warren Gatland could scarcely conceal his disappointment. "The ultimate payment would be for guys to be dropped," he warned. Yet he is unlikely to cut off his nose despite his face. After all, the scrum was one of the few areas of strength for Ireland. With Paddy Johns and Kevin Maggs also being yellow carded, albeit along with an equally deserving David Wilson, this enabled the Australians to rub salt in the wounds. The Sunday Mail noted the irony of Daniel Herbert, who holds an Irish passport, turning "the ultimate joke on hapless Ireland at Ballymore last night during Australia's crushing 46-10 victory."
One nagging, deflating thought kept repeating itself after Ireland had gamely put their bodies on the line and never threw in the towel, yet had been given a six tries to one thumping. Where do they go next?
Perth, of course, most obviously, but what do they do there? In the post-match press conference, Dion O'Cuinneagain wearily spoke about working even harder this coming week. But the words flogging and dead horses sprung to mind.
Aside from the scrum, the lineout also went well. Keith Wood always found his man, usually O'Cuinneagain or Malcolm O'Kelly when he came on. The latter may well come in from the start next week, and for better or for worse Trevor Brennan may come into the back-row. Girvan Dempsey, harshly dropped, will now certainly return, most probably at full-back, although there might also be an argument for accommodating Jonathan Bell at full-back or wing for the unconvincing Mostyn.
Though Gatland and his advisors will be reluctant to change course and batten down the hatches, the other position they may look at is out-half. Despite taking the ball very deep, Humphreys' sleight of hand checks opponents and helps to create that vital bit of space for O'Driscoll to explore.
