Argentina end Ireland U21s’ cup hopes

IRELAND’S hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the IRB U21 World Cup ended on Saturday when they were beaten 30-19 by Argentina, at Oxford.

The Irish looked to be in command at the interval after tries from Richie Lane, Ciaran Potts and Niall Ronan had helped build a 19-12 lead with an all important bonus point just one more try away.

Had the Irish managed that last score, they would have progressed to the final four of the prestigious competition. However, the bigger and more powerful Argentine pack took control and dominated the second half as the Irish failed to score again.

Team manager David Haslett admitted to being disappointed with the weekend result but added that the team had gained enormous experience from the competition over the past ten days.

“We were disappointed on Saturday, because we were right up there to the end and, indeed, we had a chance of scoring the bonus points and winning and getting to the semi-final.

"But they scored two tries in the last few minutes to win the game and advance to the semis. So now, we have to play Japan on Wednesday for a 9th place. It is a little less than what we had anticipated,” he said.

South Africa broke Welsh hearts at Newbury by winning through 50-21and face New Zealand in the semi-finals, on June 25 at the Kassam Stadium.

The All Blacks drew 37-37 with Australia at Newbury with Wallaby centre Mark Gerrard landing a monstrous penalty moments before the final whistle.

The tied result ensured that both proceed to the semi-finals at the expense of France, whose 21-16 win over England would have been enough had the Australia-New Zealand match produced a winner.

Australia’s semi-final opponents are Argentina.

IRELAND: P. O’Brien, R Lane, K Matthews, G Telford, J Hearty, M Rainey, F O’Loughlin, J Moran, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, D Gannon, N McComb, J Muldoon, N Ronan, C Potts.

Subs: E McGovern for J Moran, S. Crawford for McComb, C O’Loughlin for F O’Loughlin, T Bowe for P O’Brien, D McAllister for M Rainey.