Irish one-two knocks out Italy
2 Oct 2011
Ireland beat Italy 36-6 in Dunedin to set up a quarter-final showdown with Wales in Wellington.
This result means the Wallabies finish second in Pool C and will play the Springboks next Sunday, also in Wellington, with the other two quarter-finals – England vs France and New Zealand vs Argentina – taking place in Auckland.
Italy came into this match needing an upset win to progress to the play-offs, but two Irish tries in the space of five minutes early in the second half shattered that dream.
First, winger Tommy Bowe sliced through a gaping hole in the Italy defence and sent captain Brian O’Driscoll away on his inside. Then Gordon D’Arcy burst through the midfield to take play back into Italy’s 22 and the ball was sent wide to winger Keith Earls, who dived over in the left-hand corner. Ronan O’Gara, who had an outstanding night with the boot, slotted both conversions.
The Irish should have been awarded a penalty try with two minutes to go when Bowe was tackled without the ball in Italy’s in-goal area, but Earls scored his second soon after to round off an emphatic win.
Ireland had led just 9-6 at half-time, but were unlucky to have a try disallowed when referee Jonathan Kaplan incorrectly ruled that flank Sean O’Brien’s pass had gone forward to Bowe, whose first touch went backwards before he regathered the ball.
However, the big talking point of the first half came in the 22nd minute when TV replays clearly showed Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini eye-gouging Ireland loosehead Cian Healy. But none of the officials saw it and the Irish were penalised for retaliation.
Minutes before that incident, Italy had come close to scoring but their driving maul was collapsed by Paul O’Connell, who was lucky not to be yellow carded. Martin Castrogiovanni then had a crack at the line only to be tackled inches short.
The Italy tighthead was in top form and his injury late in the first half was a massive setback for his side considering how his loosehead Salvatore Perugini was struggling against Mike Ross.
By Simon Borchardt
133 Comments
2 Oct 2011, 09:04 am
So the Paddies are to moer the Italians.
2 Oct 2011, 09:10 am
Time to throw my 84kg behind the Italian boys this morning.
2 Oct 2011, 09:20 am
Convicts all over the full are supporting Italy.
2 Oct 2011, 09:31 am
I can’t help always being moved by the Irish rugby anthem, as it represents both the North and Eire. The one time both countries are united.
2 Oct 2011, 09:39 am
I think I bit my tongue during my sleep
Jinne
2 Oct 2011, 09:45 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-5:
Forget to take your teeth out?
2 Oct 2011, 09:57 am
Filthy.
2 Oct 2011, 09:57 am
David you joining the likes of fake pops and stereotyping?
Not nice.
2 Oct 2011, 09:58 am
What are the permutations and subplots required to settle the quarterfinalists in this match, again?
2 Oct 2011, 10:00 am
Could be a citing coming up.
2 Oct 2011, 10:01 am
Italy have to win without Ireland getting 2 bonus points…..
2 Oct 2011, 10:02 am
@BishopsOD(BishopsOD)-9:
Ireland just need the win. Even a draw is good enough.
Italy need a win with a bonus point and deny Ireland a point.
2 Oct 2011, 10:04 am
Italy on 10
Ireland on 13
Italy must just win and not give away 2 bonus points
2 Oct 2011, 10:04 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-8:
Not at all. I’d have made the same comment regardless of who it was.
2 Oct 2011, 10:05 am
@Getafix(phil72)-13:
And.. at this stage it looks that Kaplan is aware of this….
2 Oct 2011, 10:05 am
Kaplan got the knock on or forward pass decision wrong
2 Oct 2011, 10:05 am
Is italy win here, we play italy of hoe?
2 Oct 2011, 10:07 am
Kaplan is robbin’ Ireland.
2 Oct 2011, 10:07 am
Go Italy!!!
2 Oct 2011, 10:07 am
What on earth does “Is italy win here, we play italy of hoe?” mean?
2 Oct 2011, 10:07 am
@cab(cab)-17: Correct.
2 Oct 2011, 10:09 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-21:
udankie
shame looks like ireland getting upperhand.
2 Oct 2011, 10:10 am
What about the eye gouging?
2 Oct 2011, 10:11 am
@cab(cab)-17:
Isn’t it a bit early to be hitting the sauce?
2 Oct 2011, 10:11 am
@cab(cab)-22: Very even, in fact. Looks like it might erupt into a little fisticuffs at some point.
2 Oct 2011, 10:12 am
Will do wonders for rugby in Italy if they win
2 Oct 2011, 10:12 am
Wales will moer these Paddies, easily.
2 Oct 2011, 10:13 am
@David(David)-24: Depends where in the world you are
2 Oct 2011, 10:14 am
Kaplan is out secret weapon… might just have the X factor….
2 Oct 2011, 10:14 am
I love how, when a big runner sees O’Gara in front of him, the shoulder automatically drops and the speed picks up.
2 Oct 2011, 10:15 am
Nice cheating at that maul from Ireland
2 Oct 2011, 10:17 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-30: Most runners offer him odds, as he is a gambler, you never know if he misses a tackle with intent or if he is just useless
2 Oct 2011, 10:17 am
@David(David)-24:
hehe, barely awake here – damn italian stallions are there own worst enemies, shouldve pulled level there, bergermasco dont have anything in that pip.
2 Oct 2011, 10:18 am
An ill tempered match. And the unpunished eye gouging just added fuel to the fire.
2 Oct 2011, 10:27 am
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-12: Wait a minute! So Italy can save the Boks and Australia from an unpleasant quarter if they beat Ireland but still get knocked out, regardless? Ireland will finish second, right?
Hmmm… it’s not that Ireland will be dealt with easily if we do meet them…
2 Oct 2011, 10:30 am
Come on you friggen BoggLeapers.
After all your good work,
don’t foork things up now.
I want an Oz / Eye Gougers QF.
2 Oct 2011, 10:31 am
Is Martin CastrolGTX off the field?
2 Oct 2011, 10:32 am
Ireland will probably pick up the tempo and suffocate the eye gouging spoilers in the second half
2 Oct 2011, 10:32 am
@BishopsOD(BishopsOD)-35:
Italy can still have a say in this WC. They can come second – which I doubt – but can cause Ireland to finish 2nd.
2 Oct 2011, 10:33 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-37:
Looks like he picked a back injury.
2 Oct 2011, 10:33 am
@cane(cane)-36: You sound rattled, Caner. Like you need the big guys to soften each other up before you attempt to pull off an upset against one of them.
2 Oct 2011, 10:34 am
@cane(cane)-36:
Easy bobby. The eye gougers are still playing. They’re in blue.
2 Oct 2011, 10:35 am
@cane(cane)-36: don’t worry, the Paddies will take this one ……………….. easily.
Be careful what you ask for …………….. your teams semi final assassins will be revealed this time next week.
It’s just a shame that Carter will not be there for the choke.
2 Oct 2011, 10:35 am
Thats better BOD
2 Oct 2011, 10:35 am
Great try Ireland.
2 Oct 2011, 10:35 am
What I’ve found interesting is how the 15s of the other top tier nations are far more involved on attack than ours are.
2 Oct 2011, 10:38 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-44:
Yep, the finest centre in world rugby for more than a decade. His support running is one of the things that sets him apart. His running off the ball is what made Roberts look so good for the B&ILs.
2 Oct 2011, 10:38 am
Good 19-6
2 Oct 2011, 10:39 am
This committee meeting for lineouts gives me the worm
2 Oct 2011, 10:39 am
Looking all over now…..
2 Oct 2011, 10:39 am
I’m actually quite glad SA are “avoiding” Ireland. I reckon Ireland would have turned us over, especially our lack of any cohesion at the breakdown.
2 Oct 2011, 10:40 am
Rory Best looks hurt.
2 Oct 2011, 10:41 am
Bye bye Italy
2 Oct 2011, 10:41 am
20 points lead
2 Oct 2011, 10:42 am
Ireland really turning it on now. D’Arcy also showing the talent that led to O’Driscol moving from 12 to 13 to accomodate him a few years ago.
2 Oct 2011, 10:42 am
And it’s all over now Baby Blue
2 Oct 2011, 10:42 am
Without CastrolGTX, their scrum engine just seizes up.
2 Oct 2011, 10:43 am
Ireland vs. Springkbok final.
2 Oct 2011, 10:44 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-51:
I feel the same, as well.
2 Oct 2011, 10:44 am
@Jinx2(Jinx2)-58: As long as they play in white.
2 Oct 2011, 10:45 am
@David(David)-46: you mean Lambie, well he is so slow …… even Plod can keep up with him in a sprint.
Taute should have been there as the starting 15.
2 Oct 2011, 10:46 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-56: think it’s more royal blue than baby.
Bulls and Watarahs dra the baba.
2 Oct 2011, 10:46 am
@RL(RL)-61: Correct. Taute is fast and strong, makes good decisions and loves to get involved. Would have been my choice.
2 Oct 2011, 10:48 am
The Irish backs always seem so potent – they make may scintillating linebreaks whereas the Bok backs hardly make any…
2 Oct 2011, 10:48 am
Lambie is koning…
2 Oct 2011, 10:49 am
At least he pulls his socks up.
2 Oct 2011, 10:50 am
Italians are lekker vuil off the ball.
2 Oct 2011, 10:51 am
Oh well, bring on the convicts.
2 Oct 2011, 10:51 am
Good Citizens of the Emerald Isle.
That’s more like it.
2 Oct 2011, 10:53 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-62:
Technically you are correct (re the blue)
Irish loose trio are the best in the tournament imo.
Sean O’ Brien is absolutely colossal today with the other 2 not far behind
2 Oct 2011, 10:53 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-64:
Even O’Gara, who’s supposed to be a conservative kicking 10, makes one appreciate just how limited Morne Steyn is.
2 Oct 2011, 10:55 am
Lotsa brawling here
2 Oct 2011, 10:56 am
hahaha @ those are not Bette Davis eyes
2 Oct 2011, 10:57 am
@David(David)-71:
2 Oct 2011, 10:58 am
Lotto call for scrum penalty.
But Kaplan really doesn’t need count one-potato-two-potato-three-potato-four-potato between every crouch, touch pause, engage.
2 Oct 2011, 11:00 am
Tee hee,tiny fights
2 Oct 2011, 11:01 am
Low lie the fields of Athenry
2 Oct 2011, 11:02 am
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
2 Oct 2011, 11:02 am
So happy SA has finally found a fly-halve in Johan Goosen that will be capable of taking over from Morne Steyn over the next couple of seasons…. Dont know what is going to happen to Lambie, because Taute will be a better option at fullback?
2 Oct 2011, 11:05 am
Ireland save a try
2 Oct 2011, 11:06 am
@Getafix(phil72)-79: Goosen at 10, it is a must, he will be the best 10 ever to ever wear a Bok jersey … forget about the pretenders …. he is the real deal and with Taute at 15 teams will suffer.
2 Oct 2011, 11:07 am
@RL(RL)-81: A bit early to make that claim. He’s good, what I’ve seen of him. But this is his first season, and only CC. Give him a season of S15 before deciding.
2 Oct 2011, 11:08 am
@RL(RL)-81:
The future of SA rugby looking good, even will all of these big names retiring…
2 Oct 2011, 11:08 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-70:
Hello…
No cycling this morning?
2 Oct 2011, 11:09 am
Gaffie du Toit was once hailed as the next best 10, so was Bosman.
Time will tell, let’s see how this chap does in the S15 before we get too excited.
2 Oct 2011, 11:09 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-82:
Katman, just to let you know Britian is basking in Autumn sunshine today…
No sign of any mud!
2 Oct 2011, 11:10 am
@carol(carol)-86: Bloody global warming. Will be the end of us.
2 Oct 2011, 11:10 am
“Sergio Perese goes home with a new scar”
2 Oct 2011, 11:10 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-85:
So was Lambie…
2 Oct 2011, 11:11 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-85:
Morning Spooner, you may need the sun screen later….
2 Oct 2011, 11:12 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-87:
Tricky on the wardrobe front thats for sure!
2 Oct 2011, 11:12 am
@carol(carol)-84:
Hi,
The wind is blowing and I am lazy.
All good on your side?
2 Oct 2011, 11:13 am
@carol(carol)-86: the Pom Autumn is like the Cape Winter …. miserable … and the Pom winter is like hell.
2 Oct 2011, 11:13 am
@carol(carol)-91: Layers. That’s the trick.
2 Oct 2011, 11:13 am
The piebald gelding’s display hasn’t been all that good. Joubert is btter
2 Oct 2011, 11:13 am
Tommy Bowe! He’s something else.
2 Oct 2011, 11:14 am
penalty try?
2 Oct 2011, 11:14 am
Jeez the Irish commentator on ITV is sooooooo parochial it’s annoying!
2 Oct 2011, 11:15 am
@Getafix(phil72)-89: key word there is was, until he was exposed for his lack of pace.
2 Oct 2011, 11:15 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-96:
Sometimes i confuse him with Tommy Roe
2 Oct 2011, 11:16 am
@Getafix(phil72)-89: and he’s wearing the green and gold now and playing with distinction…
2 Oct 2011, 11:16 am
No foul play? No try? Is this our Shaun Veldsman?
2 Oct 2011, 11:16 am
Funny ruling
2 Oct 2011, 11:16 am
Justice
2 Oct 2011, 11:17 am
Try anyway
2 Oct 2011, 11:17 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-92:
All good here, I have just done a run and am enjoying the Ireland try fest before breakfast now!!
2 Oct 2011, 11:17 am
@carol(carol)-90: the weather has been great!
2 Oct 2011, 11:18 am
36-6
2 Oct 2011, 11:18 am
@RL(RL)-93:
Nothing compared to Soda Joes winters tho….!!
2 Oct 2011, 11:19 am
Well done Ireland…
Laters folks…
2 Oct 2011, 11:20 am
@carol(carol)-106:
U done the run?
OK, I am now motivated, will take bluebird out for a spin
CU xx
2 Oct 2011, 11:20 am
So it’s the Paddies vs Wales …. my money is on Wales.
2 Oct 2011, 11:23 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-101</
Yes, he got to start because of injuries… but most rugby players can catch a ball and pass it, apart from that what does he offer
2 Oct 2011, 11:23 am
Ireland will beat Wales.
2 Oct 2011, 11:23 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-102: paddy told them NOT to comment on ‘in field’ infringements when asked to see if a TRY was scored.
2 Oct 2011, 11:24 am
Wales will be in the final against…?
2 Oct 2011, 11:25 am
@Getafix(phil72)-113:
2 Oct 2011, 11:25 am
Ireland v NZ final.
Easy NZ win.
2 Oct 2011, 11:25 am
@Getafix(phil72)-113: trying to convince a sharkievarkie that there are better fullbacks, who actually have pace and are more of threat than his slow guppy is futile … forget it
2 Oct 2011, 11:29 am
So the QF’s will be:
Ireland – Wales ……………………. Wellington.
England – France……………………….Auckland.
South Africa – Australia……….Wellington.
New Zealand – Argentina………….Auckland.
The Semi’s:
15/10 – 21:00Winner QF 1 – Winner QF 2Auckland.
16/10 – 21:00Winner QF 3 – Winner QF 4Auckland.
2 Oct 2011, 11:31 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-115:
Indeed he very pointedly said no foul play in th IN GOAL AREA.
The irish should blame paddy.
2 Oct 2011, 11:33 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-118:
Nothing can be taken for granted from here on in Spooner.
Except…….. NZ over Arg.
Argentina have looked very, very average to date.
And France need to pull themselves together somehow.
2 Oct 2011, 11:39 am
@cane(cane)-122: you’re allowed to put your neck on the line.
Wales v Ireland – 50%
England v France – 60% England
Australia v SA – 50%
NZ v Argentina – 99.9% NZ
France have been woeful and the coach has lost his players’ support. England have too many off field issues…
I reckon the winner of Wales/Ireland will make the final. Just have a sneaky feeling on Ireland.
NZ as you say are almost guaranteed a semi. Has NZ ever lost to Argentina?
A home semi against Aus or SA, either one NZ really should win at home.
NZ vs any NH team in the final will be a comfortable win.
2 Oct 2011, 11:39 am
@Gunther(gunther)-121: or kaplan, bryce lawrence & co for being too dikgat to run & see the early tackle themselves.
2 Oct 2011, 11:57 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-123: That Irish back row is looking very impressive in particular Sean O’Brian and All Blacks without Dan Carter, you never know O’Driscoll may just go down in history as the biggest legend Ireland has ever had…..
2 Oct 2011, 12:02 pm
Ireland, Wales & England will lose by 30+ against the Boks & NZ!
2 Oct 2011, 12:02 pm
Wales were lucky against the Boks in game 1!
2 Oct 2011, 12:09 pm
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-126: Ireland, Wales and England all have better packs then New Zealand and now Dan the man is out, its curtains for the All Blacks. 4 more years…….
2 Oct 2011, 13:43 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-128: don’t fall for it…
This is p0ppa69 (with a numeric zero); rather than poppa69…
Besides, the real poop stain would never have anything good to say about SA anyway.
2 Oct 2011, 15:49 pm
I tip the Irish.
BOD, Ronan and Gordon should have a teling effect on the game. I do not see Jamie going over them.
Daddy ol legs vs youth. Good test like SA vs Aus
The game will be Rhys Priestland’s biggest test. I hope Gatland plays him and rests Jones as he has done for the last 8 weeks.
Faletau and Warburton will be in for it.
2 Oct 2011, 17:29 pm
Wales will take Ireland and England
The other half of the SH Russian Roulette lottery is anyone’s call
2 Oct 2011, 20:11 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-131:
Wales don’t have the physicality to stop this Irish pack, they have no one to counter the power and ball carrying of Healy, O’Connell, Ferris, Heaslip and O’Brien(who is probably the most powerful backrower in the world).
2 Oct 2011, 23:21 pm
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-126: Wales lost by 1 against the Boks.
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