Lumped in a group with Australia and Italy seemed to promise runners-up at best for the men in green, and that prize would lead to a quarter-final against South Africa… except it didn’t. Ireland defied criticism of their creaking and unbalanced squad to take Australia by surprise and played thrilling rugby throughout almost the entire Pool Stage, only to hit this morning’s Welsh wall - losing to the first superior team they had come up against in the tournament. In the end, however, they were just a bit too old and not quite fit enough.
Best moment: the 15-6 victory against Australia that set up the hemispheric divide for the knockout stages.
Worst moment: being shown up and lacking the stamina, strength and imagination to deal with the Welsh in this morning’s 22-10 loss.
Highest points scorer: this tournament was supposed to be about the rise of Jonathan Sexton as the Irish kicker, but it was still Ronan O´Gara who scored 44 of the team’s points.
Best player: the tyro Keith Earls, who will be a star for the future. Like a bigger stronger Rooney.
No comments:
Post a Comment