Vanguard victory

IRELAND’S campervan army is on the move in New Zealand again this morning as rugby fans began heading back to the North Island for a World Cup quarter-final date with Wales this Saturday.

Supporters had partied long into the night in Dunedin following a 36-6 victory over Italy which saw Declan Kidney’s side win Pool C, the first time an Ireland team has topped a qualifying table at the finals.

The fans more than played their part in the victory with the vast majority of the 28,027 crowd having roared on Ireland under the Otago Stadium’s permanent roof.

“Walking out on that pitch today for the national anthem, man I was actually gobsmacked for the first time ever,” Ireland forward Jamie Heaslip said.

“Here we are, 12 hours ahead, I don’t know what distance it is — pretty much I think we’re the team that had to travel the most to get here — and that has rivalled home games that we’ve played in. I couldn’t believe it.

“We came out and literally I only saw one small pocket of blue and the rest was just green; green and loud and proud, and it was awesome.

“It’s like we’re playing at home here. It must be somewhat uncomfortable for other teams coming out to that, hearing Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland’s Call and Molly Malone and The Fields of Athenry being sung throughout the whole thing, everyone in a massive party atmosphere.

“It must be uncomfortable for other teams, but it’s awesome for us. It’s great.”

Ireland’s success could be coming at a cost, however. Ulster hooker Rory Best left the field early in the second half with a shoulder injury. Early reports were that Best’s injury could be a tournament-ending fractured collarbone.