Workmanlike Wales down Ireland
8 Oct 2011
RYAN VREDE watched Wales deliver an excellent all-round performance to secure their passage to the semi-finals with a 22-10 victory over Ireland.
The Welsh were outnumbered in the stands of the Wellington Regional Stadium, but their charges gave their traveling support much to cheer by progressing to the last four for only the second time in their history. They finished clinically in scoring three tries against the side ranked as the best defensive unit in the tournament coming into this Test, but it would be remiss not to note their own defensive excellence.
They were white-hot out of the gates, scoring in the second minute in a move that featured powerful phase play that punched up left, snapped right and eventually swung out to Shane Williams on the touchline. You thought it was a statement of intent, instead they spent much of the remainder of the half repelling Ireland.
They did so powerfully, accurately and intelligently, building the defensive effort on an immense gainline fight that allowed them to flood the ruck and stifle Ireland’s attacking flow. Special mention must be made of Sam Warburton in this regard. His coach Warren Gatland said prior to the tournament that he is among the best openside flankers in the game and his performance tonight lent further credence to that assertion. He was ably assisted by his team-mates, who tackled relentlessly and desperately at times, but with the spirit that told the story of their deep desire to progress.
Serviced with a slow recycle Ireland’s attack lacked a cutting edge, and their cause was further undermined by a series of poorly executed tactical kicks from flyhalf Ronan O’Gara. However, their failings undoubtedly had its root in their collective incompetence in Wales’ 22m. Twice they opted for lineouts from kickable penalties, only to see the subsequent drive break down.
Ireland flanker Sean O’Brein was held up in goal and a minute later O’Gara grassed a pass with a numbers advantage on his outside. When Rob Kearney fielded a kick and broke from the halfway line you thought the deadlock would finally be broken. But Wales scrambled brilliantly, and were assisted by the fullback popping the ball into the grateful arms of Jamie Roberts. Ireland will reflect on that period with disappointment and will rightly point to it as being decisive to the outcome.
O’Gara finally got them on the board with a penalty, but Leigh Halfpenny soon re-established Wales’ seven point lead with a penalty kicked into the teeth of a wicked Wellington wind. Wales lead 10-3 at the break, but Ireland re-emerged from the tunnel with a purposeful swagger and had soon leveled the score when Keith Earls slid over in the corner and O’Gara landed a brilliant conversion. Game on.
The Test, so compelling, so engrossing up to that point, soared to even higher heights as Ireland twice turned over possession in their 22m. They were, however, helpless to deny Mike Phillips, who broke blind from a scrum and acrobatically touched down. Rhys Priestland missed the conversion, then struck the post with a penalty attempt and with 20 to play, Ireland were desperately trying to avoid being incinerated by the Dragons.
But Wales were irresistible, and when Priestland converted Jonathan Davies’ try to extend the lead to 12 points with 15 minutes to play, there was a distinct sense that Ireland would book straight through from Auckland airport home when they would have been hoping for a longer stay.
Ireland would mount a bold attempt at a rebuttal late in the piece, but Wales were always in control defensively. They’ve built steadily from their impressive performance against the Springboks and it will require a very good performance to beat them in a week’s time.
387 Comments
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8 Oct 2011, 09:14 am
@David(David)-342:
they’ll be singing in the valleys this morning.
8 Oct 2011, 09:15 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-338: You mean France to fake it.
8 Oct 2011, 09:15 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-344:
Maybe, good luck for tomorrow I hope your boys do the business.
8 Oct 2011, 09:16 am
@cab(cab)-351:
You can say that again!
8 Oct 2011, 09:16 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-319:
Trouble is my 3 favourite teams are still in contention.
England, South Africa and Wales….
8 Oct 2011, 09:17 am
@cab(cab)-351:
won’t they just, great win for Wales, they’ll make the final the Poms and France have been terrible
8 Oct 2011, 09:17 am
@carol(carol)-349: Even better, ever gone to the loo in the middle of teleconference?
8 Oct 2011, 09:17 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-356:
lol, wales in the final, what are the odds. good luck to them.
8 Oct 2011, 09:18 am
Well this result puts the game against the Boks in a new perspective.Tomorrow is going to be interesting…
8 Oct 2011, 09:18 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-310:
It is “Looks AT the scoreboard”
8 Oct 2011, 09:19 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-353: thanks mate – id say its a fairly even contest – we edge them in the forwards they edge us in the backs. If we keep it tight and keep Pocock quiet it would be tough for the Ozzies – but thats easier said than done- Their match hangs on the effectiveness of the forwards and Pocock – its going ot be a tough one.
Dont think All Blacks will have any problem dispatching the Argies though – just hope McCaw and Read hold up. Last thing you guys need now is for them to also get injured. So ditto – good luck for tomorrow – dont think you guys need it as much as we do though
8 Oct 2011, 09:19 am
@cab(cab)-358:
yip fantastic rugby nation they would be worthy winners if they beat us in the final smiley face
8 Oct 2011, 09:19 am
@cab(cab)-351:
I went to Crdiff Arms Park as a teenager, for a Wales/England game. The singing raised the hair on the back of my neck. Their love for the game is truly profound.
8 Oct 2011, 09:19 am
@Tartan(Tartan)-323: Many England supporters can’t stand the fact that “yarpies” are bigger, stronger and more physical than they are. They also seem to be quite jealous of the Bok’s relative success in RWC’s too.
With the French there is genuine respect in contrast.
8 Oct 2011, 09:20 am
@JL1(JL1)-340: “…that why I do not read…”
Que?
8 Oct 2011, 09:21 am
@carol(carol)-355:
Always knew your blood was green! LOL
I’m happy for Wales – hoping the Boks click tomorrow and England should take this one easily.
8 Oct 2011, 09:21 am
@JL1(JL1)-357: lolol
8 Oct 2011, 09:21 am
@nama1(nama1)-360: I don’t think it really matters ou humble Nama1…
Unless you are a pedant…which, by isolating that single post out of all the others, I would suggest you are, ou humble Nama1.
8 Oct 2011, 09:23 am
@David(David)-363: #
must have been quite something when they were a bit more of a force, they are mad about it, there was a photo of the crowd of what what looked to be a welsh father and son who were beside themselves with ectasy and that was only 30mins into the game.
8 Oct 2011, 09:25 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-365: ?…..” as I do not read,write or speak the language”
Que?
8 Oct 2011, 09:25 am
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-367: You see, you know what I am talking about
8 Oct 2011, 09:26 am
@ET.(ET.)-312:
Nama and ET
Just read an extract in today’s edition of The Saturday Star newspaper of a new book : “The chosen – The 50 Springboks of all times written by Andy Colqurhoun and Paul Dobson and published by Don Nelson Publishers. It is retailing at R225. It seems to be a rounded look at our rugby history from all sides. Infact the headline in the Weekend Star is:” The unsung heroes who made their mark on SA rugby – The mad laws of apartheid denied top players a chance to play against their peers.”
Sounds interesting, gonna buy myself a copy. These authours are good rugby journalists and am sure it is well researched.
8 Oct 2011, 09:29 am
@JL1(JL1)-371: hahahahahahaha you are wicked !!!!!
8 Oct 2011, 09:30 am
@David(David)-342:
A real tribute to the great Morgan, John, Bennett, JPR, JJ and countless others of the golden past.
8 Oct 2011, 09:30 am
@cab(cab)-369:
The Welsh are a great people. Sat beside groups of them in stadiums when their teams have been both excellent (2005) and awful (countless times in the 90s), there’s really not much difference in how much they’ll sing, drink and laugh.
8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am
As much as I dislike Mike Phillips that try he scored was pure class.
8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am
@Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-372:
Thanks for that. Will chat with you about it when you have had a good look and possible recommendation.
8 Oct 2011, 09:38 am
@ET.(ET.)-374:
Most forget that JJ was the 3rd choice in’74 once Gerald Davies refused to tour SA.
8 Oct 2011, 09:40 am
Mr Mkata, those authors are white, no cred with extraball
8 Oct 2011, 09:45 am
@David(David)-378:
Slick coaching is evident in the Wales side. Well done llads.
8 Oct 2011, 09:48 am
Ms Dawn
Your language man please! hahaha!!
8 Oct 2011, 11:34 am
Ireland 15-6 Aus
South Africa 17 – 16 Wales
Ireland 10 – 22 Wales
Aus 12 south africa 25
8 Oct 2011, 12:22 pm
@Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-372:
Thanks for the tip.
I hope Woody Woodpecker buys one as well. Educate himself a bit about rugby amongst the “bantus”
9 Oct 2011, 01:02 am
@nama1(nama1)-383: why do you put inverted commas around the word Bantu?
Google it, educate yourself, ou humble Nama1, and then your chip in respect of this word will be set free.
9 Oct 2011, 01:34 am
@David(David)-378:
Prior to that tour a Wales coach, Carwyn James also refused association with the touring racist and refused to attend the game, not so?
Was there not also a player, Taylor (Roger, I think) who refused to play or withdrew from a team?
9 Oct 2011, 01:36 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-384:
Racist, why not show some real guts and use that term in S.Africa to the people you intend it to pertain to and then come and tell us about your bravery or cowardice then.
9 Oct 2011, 02:07 am
Chip on shoulder, world is against me troll on the loose……….
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