Workmanlike Wales down Ireland

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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  • 201.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:32 am

    And thats that.

    Game over.

  • 202.David: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:32 am

    These transmission breaks are getting irritating. Looks like Tackler is getting a bit old for his job of turning the handle on the generator. :lol:

  • 203.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:32 am

    Wales hould really go for the bonus point here…….

  • 204.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:33 am

    Kiwi coach does it again.

  • 205.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:33 am

    The Gatland Gun

  • 206.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:33 am

    @Robzim(Robzim)-187:

    Looking forward to that.

    And hoping England can resusitate my bru picks.

  • 207.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:35 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-199: Yeah, the steely Welsh. Normally an oxymoron but not with this Welsh side.

    The Boks were good against the Welsh scrum though. Puts our win into perspective. They should nail the Wobblies on comparative evidence.

  • 208.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:37 am

    BTW morning lazy Africans, international friends and other feckin EedjiTs!

  • 209.madvillain: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:38 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-207:

    agree with your thinking

  • 210.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:38 am

    Roberts, Phillips, Jones and Warburton are MVPs in this match.

  • 211.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:39 am

    Well, that’s one tick on the katman’s prediction sheet. Irish had to score another try to get my score though.

    Now to see if I called a Froggie upset correctly. And by 10+ points.

  • 212.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:39 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-208: been up since 06:00 with 2 very energetic boys. Been to the beach and back already.

    Good morning to you sleepy head. :)

  • 213.Redrover: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:39 am

    Defense does win games!!!

  • 214.ET.: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:40 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-207:

    The Wales defence we saw in those 2 prep games against England reaping the dividends again here. Just too tight to squeeze anything through.

  • 215.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:40 am

    Ireland have been battered.

  • 216.JL1: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:40 am

    The Pool of Death prepared Wales better than Ireland

  • 217.Redrover: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:41 am

    Congrats Wales….well done!

  • 218.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:41 am

    I had wales by 5.

    Will have to be content with the 1.5 points for win.

  • 219.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:41 am

    Wales Bokke final. Gonna be HUGE.

  • 220.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:42 am

    Well done Wales. Fully deserved.

  • 221.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:42 am

    @ET.(ET.)-214: Yes. But they have learnt best from the World Champions in their pool.

  • 222.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:42 am

    Stormers watched game just couldn’t be bothered with the palava

  • 223.UptheGuts: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:42 am

    Congrats Wales. In the end, they were the better team.

  • 224.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:43 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-212:

    Sonstraal dam does not count as beach :)

    Did you go to Blouberg?
    Probably flat?

  • 225.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:43 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-219: And wouldn’t that be something.

    These Welsh are now contenders.

  • 226.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:43 am

    These wales are fit

  • 227.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:43 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-211:

    Hope you’re wrong. I have England by 15. Otherwise I’m in the poo on my bru.

  • 228.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:45 am

    M going to Hout Bay after next game

  • 229.Redrover: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:45 am

    O’Gara will not be picked again, goodbye….gaan huis toe!

  • 230.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:45 am

    @ET.(ET.)-214:

    1-0 to you.
    England better be up to it now or I will really be down, lol.

  • 231.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:45 am

    So ok, Ireland beat Aussies
    Boks beat wales
    Wales beat Ireland easily
    Boks should beat Oz easily :)

  • 232.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:45 am

    Serious question: Has Wales ever beaten NZ?

  • 233.RL: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:45 am

    Well no surprise there, only surprise is the 12 point victory had them by 6.

    See convicts, had you been in the pool of death not only would have klapped, but Samoa too.

    Dragons will play in the final, you heard it here first.

  • 234.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:46 am

    @CoachPete(CoachPete)-231: :-)

  • 235.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:46 am

    My man Sam

  • 236.Redrover: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:46 am

    Neither France nor England stand a chance….

  • 237.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:46 am

    @Robzim(Robzim)-224: :D 2 words. Wale.Festival. :)

    We have a modest beach cottage in Vermont with some sea views and a 5 minute walk from the beach. Life is particularly hard today.

  • 238.UptheGuts: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:46 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-204: Ahh fck! Don’t you ever grow tired of trying to grab the limelight…all the fckn time? You might wanna give some credit to 22 Welsh players. Or 21 Welsh and 1 Tongan or Samoan or whatever he is. Geez! :roll:

  • 239.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:47 am

    Wales left 8 points off the scoreboard too.

  • 240.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:47 am

    @RL(RL)-233: no, actually people have been saying for a while now the winner of this game will represent the NH in the final – sorry to burst your bubble :-)

  • 241.DontThinkJustWonder: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:47 am

    All good cept that song at the end. Why, why, why? Surely something from “Praise and Blame” was called for?

    Wales for the final!

  • 242.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:48 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-191: dont lol me, :mad: I only got convince cos it was such a difficult pick. Have sent him of to Zimbali to party with all his brothers and play golf and told him i hope he gets the most amazing hang over and he can fetch me tomorrow after bok game.

    @Robzim(Robzim)-193: :lol: twit !!!!!!! you have the same mind set as the hubby then, obviously means your wife is like me and always right :mrgreen:

  • 243.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:48 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-237: \

    I am green with envy.
    Enjoy!

  • 244.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:48 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-228: Nice! I know you;ve been up for a while, saw your post earlier.

    Enjoy, Looks to be a great day!

    But only after the next game……

  • 245.UptheGuts: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:48 am

    This Priestland looks the real deal. Definitely one to watch

  • 246.RL: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:48 am

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-232: your Paddies are gone … and yes Wales is one of only 3 NH teams to ever beat the chokers … they will Choke the kiwis if they meet them in the final, playing Bok 2007 rugby with that rush defense.

  • 247.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:49 am

    Can’t stand Wales.

    It would be a “dream” final for the Boks to meet Wales again. My dream part about it is the Boks smashing this arrogant bunch of leeks by 40 points in the final.

    But well done Wales nevertheless.

  • 248.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:49 am

    @Robzim(Robzim)-243: Thanks R.

  • 249.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:49 am

    @UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-238:

    A NZ coached team will win the WC.

  • 250.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 08:50 am

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-232: yes, but last time was 1953

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