Treat it like our World Cup final

THERE has been plenty of talk this week about needing the flip of a coin to decide tomorrow morning’s World Cup quarter-final between Wales and Ireland (6am Irish time).

It is, by common consensus, a 50/50 game between two sides, recent Grand Slam winners both, that have been on similar development trajectories since those high points in 2008 and 2009 respectively, and which have earned plaudits for their efforts in successfully negotiating the pool stages in New Zealand over the last month or so.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has spoken of the narrow margins that dictate success or failure at this level and while Wales will present a considerable challenge to the Irish in all facets of the game at the Wellington Regional Stadium tomorrow, the margins to these eyes look as if they are just about favouring Declan Kidney’s side.