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, 07:13 am
Don’t put the kettle on just yet.
8 Oct 2011, 07:13 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-47:
If he is a troll then he is my troll.
8 Oct 2011, 07:14 am
35 David Can never give a Kiwi credit
8 Oct 2011, 07:14 am
Bread of heaven my friends!
8 Oct 2011, 07:14 am
@ET.(ET.)-48:
Just trying to get a rise out of our Kiwi friends.
8 Oct 2011, 07:15 am
@ET.(ET.)-4:
I reckon the Irish loosies are the best in the competition with Sean O’Brien absolutely outstanding- Ireland to win
And England should also beat the French- they are playing without heart and conviction- unless it is one of those crazy days that everything falls in place for them, England will wear them down and win a tight one imo.
So, we go for opposite sides today.
8 Oct 2011, 07:15 am
40. Shark Lover. Would like to but the Rugger club wont be showing it
8 Oct 2011, 07:17 am
Howzit Fern, David and Everyone.
And you too ExtraTit.
Early morning for Rugger.
8 Oct 2011, 07:18 am
Howzit IAAS. We had a lekker scrap last night. Patriots all
8 Oct 2011, 07:19 am
This is turning out to be the best rugby of the RWC so far.
8 Oct 2011, 07:19 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-57: ah ok
the young gouws prinsloo is playing FB for them tonight, thats why i asked , kids a big talent
8 Oct 2011, 07:19 am
Who is the Irish Captain?
Schalk Burger?
8 Oct 2011, 07:20 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-58:
Hello.
Yip,already had 2 cups of rooibos.
This game is going to be tight.
Good defence by Wales.
8 Oct 2011, 07:20 am
Must go log in with computer. This phone is irritating. Coffee.
8 Oct 2011, 07:20 am
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-62:
your kidding
8 Oct 2011, 07:21 am
O Gara is ****
8 Oct 2011, 07:21 am
yeah Wales showing the Irish they come to mean business prized them open easy first movement and then kept them out on their try line twice. Wales a tough outfit who want to go through.
8 Oct 2011, 07:22 am
Great mark taken.
8 Oct 2011, 07:23 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-65:
Not taking the three points.
8 Oct 2011, 07:24 am
irish backline is pedestrian…jamie roberts going to mow them down…
8 Oct 2011, 07:24 am
Oh ok yes
A skalk call 
8 Oct 2011, 07:25 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-59:
And someone’s still smarting.
8 Oct 2011, 07:25 am
o’gara is better at game management than sexton.
8 Oct 2011, 07:26 am
Ireland seem stronger- will just be a matter of time
8 Oct 2011, 07:26 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-58:
Ya 1am and my Phillies are out of the NL championship Final so i am as mad as a hatter.
8 Oct 2011, 07:27 am
Xhosa commentators are saying BOD must have had some Jamison’s prior to the game, only rationale as to why he doesn’t go for poles!
8 Oct 2011, 07:27 am
Mornings all. This field looks heavy. And Ireland going to rue not going for goal. They should be up 9 to 7 now
8 Oct 2011, 07:29 am
@Robzim(Robzim)
Sean O’B is new to me but he is very good even outstanding in this game. But Warburton too is good.
Will be a v. good, close game-the real thing now.
8 Oct 2011, 07:29 am
Don’t forget wales playing into the wind. Second half with wind in the back they will run away with it.
8 Oct 2011, 07:30 am
Keep in mind the irish are playing with the wind.
8 Oct 2011, 07:30 am
the irish loosies are going to be knackered by the 2nd half
8 Oct 2011, 07:31 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-77:
If they’d taken the first, the next two wouldn’t have happened.
8 Oct 2011, 07:31 am
Wales taking all their chances.
8 Oct 2011, 07:31 am
Wales playing the smarter knockout footy here. Good kick into the wind
8 Oct 2011, 07:32 am
Coffee down. Flaptop up and running. Wales defending like Trojans. Defending like Boks.
Taking the points.
Puts the Pool of Death into context!
8 Oct 2011, 07:32 am
enjoyable game this
8 Oct 2011, 07:34 am
@David(David)-82:
How do you know? Get what you’re saying but my point stands. Points on the board matters. Ireland made alot of play for a meager 3pts
8 Oct 2011, 07:35 am
eish o gara ju8st keeps kicking the pill away
8 Oct 2011, 07:35 am
Kicking possesion away. Wales defence starting to tell.
8 Oct 2011, 07:35 am
This is trench warfare!
8 Oct 2011, 07:35 am
A great exhibition of rugby. A ding dong battle.
8 Oct 2011, 07:36 am
@ET.(ET.)-78:
O’Brien was European player of the year for 2011 and also some other awards
Warburton is indeed also very good, got the better of Brussow during the pool game against SA.
8 Oct 2011, 07:36 am
wales defending with passion
8 Oct 2011, 07:36 am
Heaslip and O Brien are getting smashed everytime they touch the ball
8 Oct 2011, 07:37 am
I say Wales will take this game, Ireland been on their line 4 times with nothing to show
8 Oct 2011, 07:37 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-87:
I agree with points on the board.
8 Oct 2011, 07:37 am
Ireland backline can’t pick apart welsh defensive formation.
8 Oct 2011, 07:37 am
And Warburton wins the penalty
8 Oct 2011, 07:39 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-94: Not coming from depth, exacerbated by Wales flying off their line.
8 Oct 2011, 07:39 am
O Gara is playing K ak
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