Wood bows out after sad defeat

WHAT an anti-climax.

Keith Wood’s long and illustrious rugby career and Ireland’s World Cup dreams were ended by French brilliance in the Telstra Dome yesterday, as France set up a semi-final showdown with England in Sydney next weekend.

Ireland’s fans, who have added such colour to this tournament, made their way from the stadium shaking their heads in bewilderment. They knew the French were powerful, but they had not expected to see their heroes humiliated.

The Irish, inspired by substitute David Humphreys, outscored their opponents in the second-half, but this quarter-final clash was over after half an hour when the French led 17-0. By half-time, they had added another 10 unanswered points, and the final score line of 43-21 sent out a clear warning to the other semi-finalists.

Wood has had many glorious days in green since making his international debut in 1994, but his final outing for his country will surely rank as one of his unhappiest.

Ireland’s captain cut a forlorn figure at the final whistle, walking over to embrace his French counterpart Fabien Galthie, who will also retire when his country’s involvement in this tournament ceases. On yesterday’s evidence, that may not be until November 22 when the final is played in Sydney.

The Irish had gone into this game believing they could reach their first World Cup semi-final, having beaten the French in three of their last four meetings. However, tries by Olivier Magne, Christophe Dominici and Imanol Harinordoquy put the game out of reach before Ireland had launched their first meaningful attack.

Irish out-half Ronan O’Gara took a knock early on and when Humphreys was introduced after 48 minutes, Ireland scored three tries, two by Brian O’Driscoll and one by Kevin Maggs. However, by then it was irrelevant.

Afterwards, a shell-shocked Eddie O’Sullivan said his team had been outplayed from the start.

“We were punch drunk after 30 minutes,” he said “It was torrid stuff. We were completely out-muscled up front.”

An emotional Wood then announced his retirement from all rugby after 58 caps, two Lions tours and three World Cups.

“That’s it,” he said, “I’m going to hang up my boots from all rugby, so it’s a doubly sad day today.

“My desire is still there. I’d like to play for another 10 years. The heart is willing, the head is willing, the body has had enough.”

O’Sullivan paid a final tribute to his captain: “I think we have just lost a legend from the game of rugby. His name will live on, and I think it’s a very special day, not just in Irish rugby, but in world rugby.”