Front five key to an Irish victory
In terms of the head coaches, there is no dispute that Warren Gatland won the tactical battle in Wellington. While misfortune played a big part in Ireland’s defeat by Wales in last season’s Six Nations game in Cardiff with that illegal try by Mike Phillips, there was no questioning the merit of the Welsh win in New Zealand.
Gatland attacked Ireland at source, chop-tackling the main ball carriers in Sean O’Brien, Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip around the ankles which prevented them from making the yardage they accumulated so successfully against Australia. This denied the team any forward momentum. It also enabled Sam Warburton to do what he does best, compete for ball on the deck. In addition, Gatland set up a system that cut Ronan O’Gara off from his outside backs, forcing him to turn inside where the voracious Welsh back row were waiting for him.
