Jack Crowley bagged his first international try today, when he went over after just seven minutes in Ireland's clash Six Nations clash with Italy.
His play with ball in hand was superb throughout, as it was against France last week, and he picked apart the Italian defence on multiple occasions with excellent decision making and deft touches.
However, similar to the match in Marseille, there was an element of his game that was starkly off. Against France it was his attacking kicking, which was largely inaccurate, and today it was his goal-kicking, which saw him miss three out of five, including an easy opportunity after his opening score.
Matt Williams Speaks On Jack Crowley Kicking Form
In the Virgin Media studios after the match, Matt Williams was stern in his assessment of this element of Crowley's game, and the consequences of it if it continues:
He has to get his kicking percentages high, otherwise you don't make the team.
If you go to South Africa, high-altitude in the summer, you've got to be kicking 85% plus. And if you're not kicking 85% you will not win those test matches. That's just statistically a number that holds.
READ HERE: Rob Kearney Reveals He Advised Jack Crowley Against La Rochelle Move
READ HERE: Wales Legend Believes Jack Crowley Will Have Big Say On Six Nations Outcome
𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗬! ☘️
His first international try!#IREvITA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/7DcuV8L2I3
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 11, 2024
𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐇𝐀𝐍! ☘️
Magic from Ireland! Magic from Jack Crowley!
☘️ 12-0 🇮🇹#IREvITA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/fYvLYq8L1X
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 11, 2024
"He kicked really well in Marseille, was poor today, and in general play his depth when he kicks, that's why he's getting charged down," Williams continued.
"And I've just got to say.... in both those games, his poor kicks, he didn't need to make them. He's just got to take those out. But from the tee, as an international ten you can't have a day like that.
"You do not win competitions unless you kick at 85%. Full stop, end of story, that's all she wrote.
"So you have to be kicking at 85% to win. You will not beat South Africa, you will not beat New Zealand, you will not win the big ones without 85%. So you go with that."
Currently it is not an issue, given Crowley's performance off the tee against France, where he kicked six from seven, including multiple touchline conversions - although the one he missed was straightforward.
There is truth behind Williams words, however, and one needs only to look at the role of Handre Pollard in South Africa's victorious World Cup campaign last October, after he came into the side for the erratic Manie Libbok.
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