It seemed inconceivable that Wales would not crack. But they held on to record a victory which was a credit to their pack and their resolve as a side. Better sides than Wales have folded under that kind of onslaught. It might be the making of them.
Ireland can have no excuses. True, they were on the wrong end of a bad decision but this was a side hanging on in there. They did marvellously well to get back into the match but the old guard are fading and they lack the all-round edge and energy which the better sides can call on.
For years O’Connell has been the go-to man up front with Brian O’Driscoll providing the rallying point behind. O’Driscoll still has the magic. The way he finished off Ireland’s first try after Tommy Bowe, another astute footballer, had forced his way between Jamie Roberts and Alun Wyn Jones was exemplary: unfussy, accurate, clinical.
O’Connell now seems to be raging against the dying of the light. He is still a force. He is still able to nick the odd line-out but it was the bullocking runs of Bradley Davies, Roberts and Sam Warburton which were most damaging.
Ireland’s defence as Wales came at them with real intensity early on was to concede penalties. They’ve done this all championship and it is a sign of a side on the rack. Ireland coach Declan Kidney gave them a right old rollicking leading into the game on the matter of discipline but the match was only 27 minutes old when referee Jonathan Kaplan warned O’Driscoll that any more penalties would result in the sin bin.
Yet that is a mark of how clever Ireland were. Sean O’Brien gave away two penalties, others infringed but Ireland always stopped short of the infringement which would cost them dear. It was all rather tough on Wales because they played most of the rugby.
With their big forwards thundering forwards, they launched some exquisite attacks down Ireland’s left flank which, were it not for some outstanding defence by Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald, might have brought some reward for their advantage in territory and possession.
The game burst into controversy 10 minutes into the second half moments after Jonathan Sexton had replaced Ronan O’Gara. Sexton’s first act was to kick the ball out on the full and from a quickly taken line-out Mike Phillips sped down the touchline to score.
O’Connell was incandescent with fury, complaining to referee Kaplan that Wales had used a different ball from the one booted off the field by Sexton. Kaplan checked with his touch judge Peter Allan. “Was it the correct ball?” Kaplan asked. “Yes,” said Allan when it patently wasn’t.
Seconds later Fitzgerald appeared to score at the other end for Ireland only for Kaplan to pull Ireland back for a penalty in front of the posts which Sexton missed. It was a desperate couple of minutes for Sexton, Ireland and the match officials. Not for Wales, though. With James Hook’s belter of a conversion from the touchline a four-point deficit at half time had turned into a three-point advantage.
A deep sense of injustice fuelled Ireland for the rest of the match. Sean O’Brien, just as he had done towards the end of the first half, clattered into bodies and O’Driscoll drifted across the Welsh defensive line searching for an opening.
But Wales made their tackles and a Phillips run from the back of a line-out engineered the position for a penalty which Hook banged over. These are the moments when the Millennium Stadium proves itself one of the most evocative and emotional venues in sport.
Replacements flooded onto the pitch to disrupt the rhythm of both teams but the full-throated participation of the crowd was never less than total. It was relentless and intense in every aspect. It was magnificent.
Wales surfed the passion and held on. No doubt the debates will continue about the quality of officiating and how often major sporting occasions turn on a contentious decision. But Wales weren’t worrying about that last night. In a match which installed Warren Gatland as the longest-serving Welsh coach, their season was back on track.
O’Connell now seems to be raging against the dying of the light. He is still a force. He is still able to nick the odd line-out but it was the bullocking runs of Bradley Davies, Roberts and Sam Warburton which were most damaging.
Ireland’s defence as Wales came at them with real intensity early on was to concede penalties. They’ve done this all championship and it is a sign of a side on the rack. Ireland coach Declan Kidney gave them a right old rollicking leading into the game on the matter of discipline but the match was only 27 minutes old when referee Jonathan Kaplan warned O’Driscoll that any more penalties would result in the sin bin.
Yet that is a mark of how clever Ireland were. Sean O’Brien gave away two penalties, others infringed but Ireland always stopped short of the infringement which would cost them dear. It was all rather tough on Wales because they played most of the rugby.
With their big forwards thundering forwards, they launched some exquisite attacks down Ireland’s left flank which, were it not for some outstanding defence by Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald, might have brought some reward for their advantage in territory and possession.
The game burst into controversy 10 minutes into the second half moments after Jonathan Sexton had replaced Ronan O’Gara. Sexton’s first act was to kick the ball out on the full and from a quickly taken line-out Mike Phillips sped down the touchline to score.
O’Connell was incandescent with fury, complaining to referee Kaplan that Wales had used a different ball from the one booted off the field by Sexton. Kaplan checked with his touch judge Peter Allan. “Was it the correct ball?” Kaplan asked. “Yes,” said Allan when it patently wasn’t.
Seconds later Fitzgerald appeared to score at the other end for Ireland only for Kaplan to pull Ireland back for a penalty in front of the posts which Sexton missed. It was a desperate couple of minutes for Sexton, Ireland and the match officials. Not for Wales, though. With James Hook’s belter of a conversion from the touchline a four-point deficit at half time had turned into a three-point advantage.
A deep sense of injustice fuelled Ireland for the rest of the match. Sean O’Brien, just as he had done towards the end of the first half, clattered into bodies and O’Driscoll drifted across the Welsh defensive line searching for an opening.
But Wales made their tackles and a Phillips run from the back of a line-out engineered the position for a penalty which Hook banged over. These are the moments when the Millennium Stadium proves itself one of the most evocative and emotional venues in sport.
Replacements flooded onto the pitch to disrupt the rhythm of both teams but the full-throated participation of the crowd was never less than total. It was relentless and intense in every aspect. It was magnificent.
Wales surfed the passion and held on. No doubt the debates will continue about the quality of officiating and how often major sporting occasions turn on a contentious decision. But Wales weren’t worrying about that last night. In a match which installed Warren Gatland as the longest-serving Welsh coach, their season was back on track.
Yet Ireland were 13-9 in front at half time and in some ways it was a surprise. There is no doubt they are not the force they were. One of the more intriguing aspects of the first period was the lack of yardage gained by Paul O‘Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan.
Paul Ackford Daily Telegraph 12/03/2011
Paul Ackford Daily Telegraph 12/03/2011
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