Gaffney: Backline working hard to cut out errors

IRELAND backs coach Alan Gaffney is confident his backline can cut out the mistakes that blighted the performance against the USA and come out battling in the Pool C showdown with Australia on Saturday.

Handling errors and poor decision-making on a wet evening in New Plymouth last Sunday cost Ireland possibly four tries and with it a valuable bonus point as the Eagles were beaten just 22-10 in the opening game for Declan Kidney’s side, the American try coming after an intercepted Gordon D’Arcy pass in the final minute.

There was a promise to put right the mistakes ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Tri-Nations champions at Eden Park and Gaffney yesterday declared the Irish backs were heading in the right direction to that end.