Answers for questions there was no need to ask

Rugby Analyst: Paddy Wallace's performance was certainly the most pleasing aspect, as not much else can be learned from such a mismatch.

Wallace is living proof that elite player development takes time. Having the talent is one thing, transferring it on to a Test match environment is another. Wallace did that yesterday, but this has been a five-year process.

The Ulster man was touted as the next big thing in 2001 when he broke into the Ireland A team. He had the hands, he could run a backline and his kicking game was solid. It took until now to add consistency. The Irish management must now be persistent to ensure his development continues.

Gordon D'Arcy was in the same position in 1999, but it took an injury to Brian O'Driscoll four years later for him to finally become an Irish regular. He burst on to the international scene as a teenager with a mesmerising run when coming on against Romania in the World Cup, but it took until 2003 for this to be repeated for Ireland.

Luke Fitzgerald, Stephen Ferris, Jamie Heaslip and, to a lesser extent, Isaac Boss must all adhere to the development philosophy.

The Celtic genes mean players do not reach a rugby peak until their late twenties. The Pacific Islanders' genetics see them reach physical maturity in their early twenties - which is a problem in Australia as they dominate the underage grades, but struggle to transfer this talent on to the Super 14 and Test level. It means the elite talent-spotters can sometimes struggle to unearth the best long-term candidates.

As mentioned, a player's development doesn't end when he breaks into the international arena. In fact, it is only really beginning. Take Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan. Both had great games yesterday, with Hickie's left-foot kicking now providing Ireland with a genuine territorial alternative, while equally putting pressure on Andrew Trimble to retain the number 11 jersey come February.

Horgan's physicality (just look at his try) and presence coming on to ball at the tail of the lineout ensures options are created for runners either side of him. It practically guarantees a line break.

Like Brian O'Driscoll, Horgan has improved his offloading capabilities. Their combination to send Fitzgerald down the right wing in the second half was breathtakingly beautiful.

What I liked most about Fitzgerald was his mental qualities. He was clearly incredibly nervous at the start and made some errors, but hung in there and put his game back on track before finishing with some productive contributions. One break in particular jolted the Islanders.

It now comes down to the management of such a prodigious talent. Michael Cheika and David Knox are crucial to his development in the coming years.

Heaslip and Ferris produced admirable displays, but - and Simon Easterby can be included in this argument - what was learned about the backrow options? They are too similar to the frontline selections. A Keith Gleeson or Johnny O'Connor style groundhog needs to be tried before the World Cup. This was the game to do it.

A similar conundrum exists regarding who will partner Paul O'Connell (who is now easily the best lock in the world).

D'Arcy came in and played brilliant yesterday, but we know this already. It was an opportunity lost to look at Barry Murphy.

While the clinical performance must be applauded, as expected, the Pacific Islanders asked no pertinent questions. They played Barbarians- style rugby, which no longer cuts it, making seven unforced turnovers in the first half alone. There wasn't even a physical threat.

Maybe it was this lack of pressure, but Frankie Sheahan seemed to stabilise the scrum. Still, over these three games scrummaging has been the major concern. It has to be addressed or Ireland cannot go up another level. The errors and pressure put on the halfbacks come down to technical deficiencies.

These can be corrected with the correct coaching. Someone with the technical intelligence of Paul Wallace must be drafted in.

I still firmly believe Ireland are capable of winning a major tournament, especially considering the disarray and form of their Six Nations rivals.

The most positive aspect of the whole November campaign has been the development of O'Driscoll as a leader both on the field and with the media off it. It's yet another string to his bow. He didn't like the role earlier in his career as he didn't seem to know what type of captain he needed to be.

Like all elite player development, it takes a long time to grow into such a role.