Bad calls on and off the field

WHAT a shame a pulsating Six Nations game was decided by one moment of controversy.

The build-up to Mike Phillips’ game-changing try featured a catalogue of indiscretions which should have been spotted by the match officials. Not only was a different ball used when Wales took a quick line-out seconds before the crucial score but the original one had touched the crowd.

In addition, a player cannot take a quick throw in front of where the ball crossed the touchline when it has been kicked directly to touch. To add insult to injury, Matthew Rees was on the field of play when he delivered the throw.

No wonder Paul O’Connell was so incensed. At least referee Jonathan Kaplan consulted with the relevant assistant, Peter Allan from Scotland, who got the call horribly wrong. Quite how he missed each of the indiscretions is a mystery.

Even then, Ireland dug deep into their reserves of belief and had the winning of the game in injury time if substitute full back Paddy Wallace released to Keith Earls who was steaming up outside him in the final play of the match. Instead Wallace cut back inside to where the Welsh scramble defence was arriving in numbers.

If Brian O’Driscoll could have fixed James Hook before passing to Wallace it may have bought him an extra second but unfortunately, Hook was allowed drift onto the Ulster man. On such decisions are games won and lost.

How ironic at the end that Wales should kick out on the full to conclude the match from the exact same position behind the posts that Geordan Murphy did so two years ago to secure the Grand Slam. How times have changed.

On this occasion decisions taken off the field also contributed to Ireland’s downfall. For the second game in a row, Ronan O’Gara was hauled from the field, on this occasion with half an hour remaining. I find it hard to rationalise why that change was made. Jonny Sexton had a nightmare first 10 minutes after his introduction with his first kick going directly to touch, presenting the Welsh with the opportunity for the try that never was.

When he missed a straightforward penalty kick in front of the posts minutes later, you felt for him. To his credit he composed himself sufficiently in the last 10 minutes and delivered the field position from where Ireland could and probably should have won the game.

The other decision that impacted on this contest was the omission of Fergus McFadden from the bench.

Luke Fitzgerald has not had a good championship and was suffering from early in the game after taking a heavy hit to his shoulder. His confidence was shaken and it also impacted on his ability to pass. While Kidney made the correct call in replacing him, McFadden could have come in on the wing with either Tommy Bowe or Keith Earls shifting to full back. Both offer better cover there than Wallace and in different circumstances, Fitzgerald would have been called ashore earlier.

After a very promising opening half hour, Ireland’s kicking game fell apart after the restart. Ireland lost their shape and composure as the second half progressed despite the best efforts of O’Driscoll and O’Connell to drag them back into the contest.

There is something about Cardiff, be it the Arms Park or the Millennium Stadium, that has brought the best out of a succession of Irish teams since Ciarán Fitzgerald encouraged his team to link arms and take in that special moment when the Welsh unite and sing their magnificent national anthem. For years, it put countless Irish teams on the back foot. Since that ground-breaking moment in 1985 it has only served to inspire. When Ireland opened the game with a try from O’Driscoll in their first attack it looked as if history was set to repeat itself in Ireland’s favourite home from home. Unfortunately, the visitors failed to build on such a promising start.

The strange thing about Saturday’s game was that Ireland addressed all the areas which have caused them concern in this championship. Indiscipline has plagued the team but they only conceded seven penalties — none inside the first 15 minutes. In addition the line-out was majestic with a 100% return from 15 deliveries, plus one great steal from O’Connell who was back to his imperious best. Beside him Donncha O’Callaghan also had a magnificent outing and Ireland’s maul also made significant inroads.

David Wallace and the excellent Sean O’Brien manufactured numerous turnovers and the latter also carried magnificently once again but Ireland have yet to learn how best to capitalise on his bullocking runs.

For major portions of this game Ireland were on the back foot but their defensive structure, communication and organisation was so good it forced Wales to panic despite creating numerous overlaps. In possession however, Ireland were poor and their attacking threat very limited.

It has been a feature of Ireland’s campaign that once they get a foothold in the opposition twenty two and generate set pieces, they score. However, on this occasion when they needed it most, their execution let them down badly.

THE moment of the weekend was undoubtedly the scenes at the final whistle in Rome when Italy celebrated their historic win over France. It would have been a travesty if France had stolen it with a last minute penalty and their victory, while good for the championship, was further bad news for Declan Kidney given that it offers the Italians a huge lift before the World Cup where they face Ireland in our last pool game in Dunedin.

Of more immediate concern to the Irish management will be the task of picking up the players for the visit of England on Saturday. Sadly, we are back to just playing for pride with the championship and the Triple Crown now gone. England, after their win over Scotland yesterday, travel to Dublin looking for a clean sweep of championship, Triple Crown and Grand Slam. If ever one game offered an immediate opportunity for redemption for the Irish squad, this is the one.