'Front row carried spare tyres' - international reaction to Ireland's defeat by Argentina
match report opening pretty much encapsulates what happened:
“Argentina delivered another jolt to European rugby by dismantling Six Nations champion Ireland with some backline brilliance to win 43-20 and reach the Rugby World Cup semi-finals on Monday.”
in the had his own thoughts on why none of northern hemisphere teams have reached the semifinals:
“The other Southern Hemisphere commonality - linked to their better decision-making - is their base conditioning. It’s not scientific or foolproof by any means, but the body shapes of the Southern Hemisphere players tend to be leaner.
The Irish front row in particular were carrying spare tyres, as were the English. This is a sport all about making marginal gains and if the tight five can not only last a bit longer, but get around that bit better, it makes a huge difference....”
“The Scots lacked defensive line speed but that was about it against the Wallabies. Ireland were also hit hard by injuries but their biggest issue is that they don’t take enough risks.
Argentina knew that, came at them with everything in the first 15 minutes to build a lead knowing Ireland didn’t necessarily have the game to open things up and chase down a big score.
England and France have bigger problems and are thesis subject topics on where they have gone wrong, but they have players and resource which means they have hope.”
match report gave Ireland some credit:
“Ireland deserved credit for their comeback because for the first quarter-of-an-hour, it looked like Argentina would romp into the semi-finals on the back of a stunning display of total rugby.
Hammering into contact and transferring the ball at pace through the hands of backs and forwards alike, it took only four minutes for Moroni to score in the corner after a sweeping move...
Ultimately, though, the absence of captain Paul O’Connell and playmaker Johnny Sexton as well as two regular starting flankers were losses Ireland could ill afford and their quest for a first World Cup semi-final will go on for at least another four years. “
UK match report decided the injury list was to blame:
“The image of Paul O’Connell, the leviathan lock and Ireland captain, sitting in the stands nursing his torn hamstring, drew a mighty cheer from Ireland supporters when it was flashed up on the big screens before kick-off. But once play was under way, every cut of the camera shots to O’Connell, Johnny Sexton and the other absentees became a gut-wrenching counterpoint to the efforts of those left to carry the fight on the field.
O’Brien may have been the biggest miss. His rampages in the loose might have quelled the verve of Argentina’s half-backs and stemmed the supply of ball to their dangerous runners Santiago Cordero and Juan Imhoff out wide. Imhoff has been a star deserving of greater acclaim for some time. His lavish dive after a powerful sprint gave him the second of Argentina’s tries in the final quarter – and fourth in the match overall – was a deserved indulgence. “
, had a theory on why Argentina won:
“The Pumas’ four seasons in the Rugby Championship has made the team to produce a better all-round game, and they demonstrated that in the first 15 minutes when an indisciplined Ireland was blown away by some backline brilliance.”
“The Pumas blew Ireland away with a frenetic tempo, scoring two tries in first 10 minutes and shooting out to a 17-0 lead that ultimately proved too much to chase down. Their threats came from all angles. Big ball carriers, the likes of No 8 Leonardo Senatore, broke tackles at will in the wide channels. They were good in the air, went up the guts and then used the width. It was absorbing; the skills on display from backs and forwards alike classy.”
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