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, 07:40 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-92:
Heard that in the game against Italy.
Next game we are in opposite corners too as I go for the new found flair of France later.
8 Oct 2011, 07:40 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-99: Yeah.
8 Oct 2011, 07:40 am
@ET.(ET.)-17:
Thanks ET.Just read it. Man, what a waste of talent that rightfiully deserved to showcase their ability in the international stage. Very sad and heart wrenching stuff. I only console myself by saying I saw them in action at Dan Qeqe and Adcock stadiums. Those stadiums were always fully packed and in disregard of thethen group reas act.
How I wish I can turn back the clock.
8 Oct 2011, 07:42 am
Bakkies’ blue eyed boyfriend is quite a handful- the security guards outside theMacdonalds shop in Cardiff seemed to have handled him easier than the Irish.
8 Oct 2011, 07:42 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-104: Lol
8 Oct 2011, 07:43 am
BOD took bad decisions.
Wales look like semi final material. Might be a bit early to against my prediction of an Irish win but you surely cannot go to a semi if you cannot use so much ball.
8 Oct 2011, 07:44 am
Now Ireland should have gone for posts at 10minutes, and nt the lineout
8 Oct 2011, 07:44 am
Looks like wales should win this with the wind next half
8 Oct 2011, 07:45 am
So Wales in the lead despite playing into a strong wind… Ireland are going to have to play out of their skins in the 2nd half.
8 Oct 2011, 07:45 am
7 point lead playing into a strong wind at half time.
Wales will be very happy.
8 Oct 2011, 07:45 am
@madvillain(madvillain)-106: To be fair, Wales are defending well. Wonder if Joubert was tempted to dish out a card with that 3rd penalty on the Welsh line
8 Oct 2011, 07:46 am
WAles deserve the HT lead but Ireland just didn’t convert their chances on the Welsh line. 2nd half will see KO rugby at its best. Expect the Irish to give it the kitchen sink.
8 Oct 2011, 07:47 am
Ireland have to turn and play back into the wind now. Look to see a fair bit of kicking for the corners by the Welsh.
Well played in the first half. Ireland had some good chances and wasted them through poor decision making and bad execution.
All in all a very entertaining game so far. Looking forward to the second half.
8 Oct 2011, 07:47 am
@madvillain(madvillain)-106: RwC are not won on possession, it will all boil down to defense
8 Oct 2011, 07:51 am
@Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-103:
Yes I am with you on that and like you I am thankful I saw them very many years from primary school days forwards at many venues in the greater C Town area and and the venues in P.E.
My older cousins played for St. Marks in New Bs against Spring Roses, St Cyprians, Union R. C. and such like and I went with many times.
In C.T some of my teachers and fellow students played at that level mainly for City and Suburban.
8 Oct 2011, 07:52 am
Wales are defending well but tend to give up penalties No over yet
8 Oct 2011, 07:53 am
The question may be – can the Welsh keep defending if Ireland get as much 2nd half possession? Wouldn’t be surprised if they ran out of gas if Ireland can get the territory and possession they had in the 1st half again.
8 Oct 2011, 07:54 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-109:
Where are Stephen Jones and Lee Byrne. Not even on the bench.
They played against Fiji.
Are they not good enough now?
8 Oct 2011, 07:55 am
As I’ve said before, O’Gara is super k*k in pressure games. Always seems to knock the ball at a crucial time, or kick the ball out a few inches into the in goal area, or try to go for a break only to get isolated and lose the ball, or tackle a guy in the air, leading to Morne Steyn winning the British Lions tour for South Africa.
I would never pick O’ Gara in a game that is do or die.
8 Oct 2011, 07:55 am
@aliboy(aliboy)-117:
And Ireland need to take points when close either way but not take the lineouts this is not pool games they dont get any bonus points
Take the points always
8 Oct 2011, 07:56 am
Hope these presenters are contesting Strictly Come Dancing right after the match. There’s no other excuse for what they’re wearing.
8 Oct 2011, 07:58 am
Morning gents, and ET. Great contest this.
Real shame that Charteris is off. He’s been superb for Wales.
Go Cymru!
8 Oct 2011, 07:59 am
Aerial ping pong.
8 Oct 2011, 07:59 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-122: Morning fella. Enjoying the game!
8 Oct 2011, 08:00 am
@ET.(ET.)-118: Nope. Other players better
8 Oct 2011, 08:00 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-119: Those touch in goal kicks may prove to be critical. The only good about playing into a strong wind in the second half for Ireland is that they may be forced to keep the ball in hand and run at the welsh, which as wales proved, can be very effective,
We’ll see,,,,,,,
8 Oct 2011, 08:01 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-124: Trying to feed kids porridge in between. My girl is 17 months and wants to feed herself. It’s carnage in Wellington and it’s carnage in my sitting room.
8 Oct 2011, 08:01 am
You may award the try.
8 Oct 2011, 08:03 am
o’gara the MAN!
8 Oct 2011, 08:03 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-119:
But nothing wrong with his goalkicking..
8 Oct 2011, 08:04 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-126:
There is an advantage playing into the wind. Up and unders tend to hold up, giving the attackers more time to get there.
8 Oct 2011, 08:05 am
Real KO battle of note this.
Who needs 20 teams when 8 can be enough quality?
8 Oct 2011, 08:05 am
Gee, Jammie Roberts!!
8 Oct 2011, 08:06 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-122: yeah chartaris has been one of the best locks in the comp…was solid against the bokke
8 Oct 2011, 08:06 am
Ireland edging the ground war at the moment
8 Oct 2011, 08:07 am
What I love about watching this game, is being able to enjoy the quality of the rugby without having any vested interest.
8 Oct 2011, 08:08 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-134: He looks taller than Bekker.
8 Oct 2011, 08:08 am
@ET.(ET.)-132:
Yip, rugby is just not big enough a sport to make a tournament like this a real spectacle- far too many “passengers”- A good club team like Saracens will beat Namibia without raising much of a sweat. UCT might even beat them.
8 Oct 2011, 08:08 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-127:
Just went through the same on this side.
8 Oct 2011, 08:09 am
CYMRU!
8 Oct 2011, 08:09 am
Quick thinking Phillips.
8 Oct 2011, 08:10 am
mike phillips…wish fdp was still up to it like this!
8 Oct 2011, 08:10 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-139: One outfit for breakfast one one for the rest of the day.
8 Oct 2011, 08:10 am
Last time i saw Phillips he had his nose in the pavement. Now its in the corner. A real cat burglar.
8 Oct 2011, 08:10 am
try Wales
8 Oct 2011, 08:10 am
Great blind side run by Phillips!
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-135: Who did you have at 9 again..?
@>^..^< katman(katman)-127: LOL amen brutha! I’m busy making bacon and french toast. Taking longer than usual!!
8 Oct 2011, 08:10 am
What an agonised look on D’Arcy’s face.
8 Oct 2011, 08:11 am
This Welsh side is a side of note. I tell you.
This puts the Bok win in context big time.
8 Oct 2011, 08:12 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-146: Too right. Phillips is a thug, but you would want him in your side.
8 Oct 2011, 08:12 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-142:
Have you also noticed the speed that both 9s clear the ball from the base?
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