Mortlock’s tribute to ‘potent force’

IT’S BEEN the perfect start to a rugby season for Ireland, encouraging enough for Australia captain Stirling Mortlock to suggest that Ireland could be a potent force in next year’s World Cup.

Minutes after his Wallaby side were humbled by Brian O’Driscoll and co at Lansdowne Road yesterday, Mortlock admitted that Ireland had the talent to make a huge impact in France next year: “They’re a fine side; great pack, really talented backs. They’re playing very good, very positive rugby.”

There were no complaints either after Ireland reversed the result in Perth a few short months ago, and now victories over superpowers South Africa and Australia have catapulted Eddie O’Sullivan’s Ireland into the World Cup favourites list. After two memorable weekends at soon-to-be-demolished Lansdowne Road, it’s a pity O’Sullivan can’t judge his charges against the best in the world, New Zealand, in next week’s ground-closing game instead of the Pacific Islands

The smile on O’Sullivan’s face after the game was a broad one: “It has been good, these were important wins for us,” he said referring to the twin victory over southern hemisphere opposition.

The weather wasn’t kind to Australia, but Ireland handled the conditions brilliantly and also played the better rugby. This didn’t come down to a kicking duel: Ireland won through forward domination and brilliant execution behind the scrum. They scored two tries to none, and might have doubled their total but for some bad luck.

Australia coach John Connolly wasn’t complaining: “I thought Ireland played some superb rugby – they carried the game to us, put us under pressure and they took their chances. They picked us off bit by bit, played the percentages. Everything they did was near perfect.”

He was right. Ireland’s scrum was comfortable, the line out exceptionally good, and the work at the breakdown had to be seen to be believed.

Australia took the lead after four minutes, but Ireland dominated the opening half against the wind with some fantastic rugby, and they deservedly equalised when O’Gara responded to Stirling Mortlock’s early penalty with one of his own.

Even better, O’Gara then manufactured a brilliant try for Ireland. After having to swivel in midfield, he conjured up a trade-mark kick to the corner. Denis Hickie was there to take and he got in for the opening try, which gave Ireland an 8-3 lead.

The Irish continued to pile on the pressure and apart from those opening moments, nothing was seen from the Wallabies. Ireland looked to be struggling to put the points on the board – until they manufactured a thrilling try two minutes from the break.

The foundation was laid by a Donncha O’Callaghan steal on an Aussie line out, the move out wide was brilliant, with each and every one of the backs handling, along with David Wallace, and the final pass from Shane Horgan to Geordan Murphy was perfect. O’Gara’s kick against the wind added the points.

Australia struck back with a penalty early in the second half by Mortlock, but O’Gara restored Ireland’s 12-point advantage with another penalty, and then added another three points after forcing a mistake from Clyde Rathbone.

The wind and rain whipped up, the sound of the fans intensified, the Fields of Athenry was in the air, and Ireland, boosted by a monumental effort from the pack and the clever play from O’Gara, stayed in the driving seat.

An injury to Marcus Horan was worrying, but the crowning glory was a late superb chip from O’Gara for Hickie, who almost got in for a further try after an amazing 76th minute maul in midfield that drew almost every Australian defender into the fray.

O’Sullivan’s delight was obvious, even if was tempered by worries about Horan, who appeared to tear a calf muscle.

“We will have to wait and see,” said the coach, “but it’s not looking good. He could be out for some weeks.”

Still, he was hugely pleased with Ireland’s first half display.

“I think that was possibly the best I’ve seen from this team. It was always going to be hard to sustain in the second half, but I thought we coped pretty well.”

There was no disagreement from his Australian counterpart John Connolly. “I thought Ireland played very cleverly in the first half. It was pressure-cooker stuff. We lost the plot in that opening period and it was too late to rescue it in the second half.

“Ireland just kept the pressure up on us; O’Gara, D’Arcy and O’Driscoll played the sidelines, hung on to the ball and waited for the penalties to come. The conditions played some part, but we can’t excuse ourselves; they didn’t move the ball wide in the second half, but they competed brilliantly at the break.”

Ireland scorers: Tries — Hickie, Murphy. Cons: O’Gara. Pens: O’Gara 3.

Australia scorers: Pens — Mortlock 2.

IRELAND: Murphy, Horgan, O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Hickie, O’Gara, Boss, Young, R. Best, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, N. Best, D. Wallace, Leamy.

Replacements: Dempsey for Murphy (75), Horan for Young (60), Sheahan for R. Best (70), O’Kelly for O’Connell (70), Easterby for N. Best (60).

Sin Bin: Leamy (53).

AUSTRALIA: Latham, Rathbone, Tuqiri, Mortlock, Gerrard, Larkham, Giteau, Baxter, McIsaac, Shepherdson, Sharpe, Chisholm, Elsom, Waugh, Palu.

Replacements: Staniforth for Rathbone (64), Rogers for Larkham (28), Valentine for Giteau (77), Robinson for Baxter (41), Moore for McIsaac (56), Campbell for Chisholm (72), Smith for Palu (52).

Sin Bin: Waugh (53), Rogers (53).

Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa).