This was our moment...
If the English and the Welsh, the French and even the Scots could make a semi-final of a World Cup then how come Ireland have never made it through to the last four?
If it was ever going to happen, the contest against Wales back here in Wellington, where Ireland’s World Cup journey started against the same opposition in 1987, provided the perfect symmetry. The venue offered the only change as Wellington’s famed Athletic Park is no more. I searched in vain for that historic cathedral of rugby the other day only to be told that the iconic stadium, where the famed Millard Stand used to sway when the notorious Wellington swells rolled up from the Antarctic, is no more. The property moguls swallowed it whole — something we can readily identify with back in Ireland — and in its place stands a retirement village.
On the final whistle at the Cake Tin on Saturday night, the new arena also bore the hallmarks of a retirement village for some of the greatest players ever to wear the green of Ireland. Brian O’Driscoll was understandably distraught at the finish, Ronan O’Gara looked a forlorn figure after being called ashore on 55 minutes while Gordon D’Arcy, Paul O’Connell and Rory Best had nothing to show for their efforts despite playing themselves to a standstill.
Saturday’s game against Wales was one that left a horrible empty feeling and that was just for those of us confined to the stands. The players’ grief was shared by the thousands of Irish who made their way to Wellington and by countless thousands of Irish spread out all over the globe, who had tuned into what was happening at this great tournament. This was our moment but unfortunately Ireland failed to turn up. A route to a World Cup final will never be as clear cut as this and that makes the defeat even harder to swallow.
Wales were magnificent on the night but the real disappointment for the Irish was that they were undone by a catastrophic failure in the aspects of their play that have been the hallmark of their success for so long. Prior to Saturday’s game, Ireland had missed the least number of tackles of any nation at the World Cup.
Their defence had been magnificent, conceding just three tries, two of which were scored by Russia when the majority of the frontliners were missing.
Yet on the biggest stage of all, with greatness beckoning, Ireland facilitated a famous Welsh victory by offering a brightly lit pathway to the try line. While their impressive opening effort from Shane Williams after less than three minutes was superb in its construction and execution, the two tries that defined this contest were handed to Mike Phillips and Jonathan Davies on a plate. In total, Ireland missed 14 tackles and failed to cope with the massive physical presence of the outstanding Jamie Roberts in midfield.
Losing is one thing but what will haunt this great Irish side for a long time to come is the fact that they were accomplices in this significant win for what is fast becoming a good Welsh side. Regardless of what happens in this tournament for Warren Gatland’s men over the next two weeks, this World Cup could be the catalyst for great things to come for Welsh rugby.
In George North, Sam Warburton, Davies, Rhys Priestland, Toby Falatou and Scott Williams they have unearthed players of genuine international quality and in Roberts, who is still only 25, they have a real gem who is finally delivering on the promise displayed on the 2009 Lions tour. Ireland were powerless to deal with his power, pace and athleticism — his brilliant aerial take over the head of Rob Kearney was crucial in the build up to the opening try — while in possession he constantly attracted the attention of at least two Irish defenders and still managed to offload. That created holes elsewhere which accounted, in some instances, for breaching Ireland’s hitherto impregnable defensive wall.
D ECLAN KIDNEY has done a magnificent job for Ireland and that outstanding win in the pool stage over Australia must rank as one of his greatest achievements. On this occasion, however, he was outfoxed by his old sparring partner Gatland.
The Wales coach had the courage to stick with all the young, inexperienced faces despite considerable pressure to reinstate the likes of Stephen Jones, Lee Byrne and James Hook. In that there were shades of the decision more than 11 years ago to promote another batch of very talented youngsters, when O’Gara along with Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Simon Easterby and Shane Horgan all made their debuts for Ireland in a famous win over Scotland back in 2000. That quintet didn’t do too badly afterwards and all indications are that this new crop of Welsh talent could be on the cusp of something great.
For them the French beckon in what should be a cracking semi-final in Auckland next Saturday after they pulled off one of their famous World Cup Houdini acts to reach the last four despite having already lost twice in the tournament.
The sight of the Red Rose was always going to unite this current squad for whom the tournament has produced a roller coaster of emotions so far. England have been terrible on and off the field at this World Cup and justice has been done in this instance.
The southern hemisphere side of the draw offers a mighty semi-final clash between hosts New Zealand, who had another predictable win over Argentina, and Australia, who somehow survived a physical shredding by the Springbok pack to emerge from their quarter-final by a two-point margin.
With their scrum and lineout under immense pressure and Quade Cooper having a nightmare at out-half, it was as much a statement of South Africa’s lack of structure in attack as the Wallabies’ commendable bravery in defence that contributed to an amazing result.
In addition David Pocock produced the performance of the tournament so far and individually hauled Australia into the semi-final, contributing 24 tackles and four crucial turnovers. He is a machine.
Ireland head home today after a very creditable and emotional World Cup that produced four wins from five matches, a best ever tournament win against Australia but defeat to a Welsh side that on another day they would expect to beat.
Unfortunately, that is something that will stay with them for a long time.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
