Ferris upbeat after uninspiring defeat of USA

Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris claims today’s 22-10 victory over the United States is good preparation for the pivotal World Cup clash with Australia.

Tries from Tommy Bowe in each half and a touchdown by Rory Best saw the Irish open their Pool C campaign in unconvincing fashion amid difficult conditions at Stadium Taranaki.

The squad travels to Auckland later today in preparation for Saturday’s showdown with the Wallabies and Ferris insists they are ready to face the tournament’s second favourites.

“If we’d got one or two more kicks early on against the USA and applied a bit more pressure, there could have been a few more tries,” he said.

“The conditions were very slippery but we dug in well and got the win we needed.

“We feel like we left the fourth try sitting out there. It was a tough, physical contest that we needed before we face Australia.

“Apart from the intercept try the USA didn’t look like scoring a try. We scrambled well and our defence scored solid.

“If we can score one or two tries, hopefully our defence will keep us in the game against Australia.”

Several strong carries identified Ferris as one of Ireland’s few star performers, but the Ulster back row admits he made a slow start, although he felt no evidence of the knee injury he had earlier in the year.

“In the first 20 minutes I felt lethargic. I spoke to a few of the lads and they felt the same. Our legs were heavy,” he said.

“Maybe it was the travelling or nerves as that was my first World Cup game. I was nervous last night and today.

“But as the game went on I felt more explosive and powerful. There were some big collisions was great and the knee felt great.”