Wales can win World Cup, says O’Connell
O’Connell was one of a number of the Irish World Cup party who returned to Shannon Airport yesterday afternoon, more than happy to see his partner Emily and 15-month-old son Paddy. And even though it’s three days since the loss to Wales, O’Connell struggled to conceal his disappointment at the way the tournament worked out for Ireland, a sentiment also keenly expressed by Conor Murray and Keith Earls.
“The reaction of people has made it harder because they have been so nice about it,” he admitted.
“We left it behind us as we had a great opportunity. They got off to a great start, scoring that early try, but at 10-all I felt really comfortable. Then I think we lost two line-outs, failed to clear our lines, and they got that soft try.
“We were good enough to beat Wales, we fancied ourselves to beat Wales, we fancied ourselves to beat anyone, especially the way we were playing and the form we were in. We had a chance to do something special and we didn’t take it, just like the Lions in 2009.”
Pushed to predict a winner in Auckland on Sunday week, O’Connell didn’t hesitate: “New Zealand are favourites but I really like Wales at the moment, they have a good shape about them, and I would like to see them do it.”
Conor Murray, the 22-year-old scrum half who emerged as one of the major success stories of the tournament, was so enthused by the trip that he can’t wait to savour the atmosphere again.
“Obviously we had higher hopes than the quarter-finals but I enjoyed every minute of it,” he said.
“We were definitely well able to stay out for there for a few more weeks and that’s what makes it so disappointing.”
Unheralded and almost unknown less than 12 months ago, Murray has made remarkable strides in that time but seems completely unfazed at the progress he has made.
“I was maybe a bit in awe when I joined the squad up in Kildare during the summer but soon settled in, got to know everyone,” he said.
“This is where I want to be and I feel I’m able to play at this level. I enjoyed the big games. You need your chance to play in a big enough game and see how you cope. I got that last season with Munster and managed to stay in the team and to play in the Magners League final which helped me enormously.
“But I’m sickened that it’s over. There are no more international games for a few months and you have to work extremely hard to get involved in those and there are no guarantees.
“I’ll try and relax and get rugby off my mind for a while and then come back fresh with Munster.”
Keith Earls saw the scenario from a similar vantage point: “I’m delighted to be home, the trouble is that we’re at home too early. Unfortunately, we met a Welsh team in top form. I’ve never seen them play like that before.”
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