Wallabies V. Ireland

[Twizzle]

Jaded Irish fade

June 25, 2006 - 12:04pm
Story by: Sportal
Ireland scrumhalf Peter Stringer


A tough three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand caught up with Ireland in their one-off Test Match against Australia at Subiaco Oval in Perth, with Eddie O'Sullivan's team fading in the second half to lose 35-17.

Ireland came to the Western Australian capital chasing their first win against the Wallabies on Australian soil since 1979 and with high hopes after two impressive performances against the All Blacks in New Zealand.

A victory was a distinct possibility 10 minutes into the second half when the Emerald Green's second try, scored by flanker Neil Best and converted by Ronan O'Gara, saw the visitors lead their hosts 15-11.

From that point onwards though, it was all one-way traffic - Australia's way, with the home side running in four tries to nil in the final half-hour of the contest, including two within three minutes, to record an 18-point win and take home the Lansdowne Cup.

"Ten minutes into the second half the next score was crucial and they got lucky on a free kick… two sucker punches in four minutes, that did us at the end of the day," Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan said of the back-to-back tries to Mark Gerrard and Greg Holmes 15 minutes into the second half.

Ireland Captain Brian O'Driscoll echoed O'Sullivan's comments after the match.

"We got a little bit more in the legs when we scored just after half time and then when we got our two sucker punches that really hits home," O'Driscoll said.

"It's difficult to pick yourself up after that, you really start feeling in your legs and your whole body, it's just the way things go when you're on top you feel a little bit rejuvenated as we did twice, and it is like a sucker punch.

"When you're behind the posts it's just trying to make sure you get back and get back into the game and when they hit us with the second one it really killed us and probably killed the game…in that first ten we got a great try and then I think the legs got really heavy and three weeks of hard Test rugby started to take its toll on the boys."

Although both Sullivan and O'Driscoll were disappointed with the loss to Australia, and the preceding losses to New Zealand, the Irish Captain was philosophical about where the results of the Southern Hemisphere tour leave the Irish side.

"I think all three Test matches have been particularly hard," O'Driscoll said.

"We knew they would be and we felt as though we had the opportunity of coming down and taking a scalp but it obviously shows we've some way to go yet."


http://aru.com.au/news/jaded_irish_fade,46318.html/section/21893

 

[Twizzle]

Wallabies overpower Ireland
June 24, 2006 - 9:40pm
Story by: Sportal
Stephen Larkham gets some speed up

Stephen Larkham gets some speed up
Australia ran out five tries to two winners over a determined Irish outfit 37-15 in front of a crowd of 38,200 at Subiaco Oval, Perth on Saturday night.

Ireland belied their long, gruelling season taking the lead 15-11 early in the second half before Australia rebounded with four tries in a game where both sides thrilled with exciting running rugby.

Neither side dominated territory and possession but Ireland won eight turnovers that deflected Australian attack at vital times.

The Australian backs were more effective in attack, standing flatter and penetrating more often but the Irish backs were relentless and enthusiastic with their own running game.

Ireland locked the Wallabies in their half in the opening five minutes, helped by a missed touch finder by flyhalf Stephen Larkham, and an Irish ruck turnover. The Irish ran 12 phases of attack from a penalty lineout but went backwards under fierce Australian defence.

But the Wallabies grabbed back the advantage and came close to scoring twice, once from a pinpoint Larkham corner high kick and then from a three-man overlap that sent inside centre Mat Rogers over, but it was recalled for a forward pass.

Centre Stirling Mortlock kicked a penalty after 14 minutes for offside to open the scoring before the Australians scored a try through Chris Latham. The dynamic fullback chimed into the line and slipped through for an unconverted five-pointer out wide, to put Australia ahead 8-0 after 22 minutes.

Ireland flyhalf Ronan O'Gara responded with a penalty from an Australian offside to make it 8-3 with 13 minutes to play in the half before Mortlock added another penalty nine minutes later to give Australia an 11-3 half-time lead.

Ireland opened the second half on fire and after a series of rucks, O'Gara kicked high for the corner where winger Shane Horgan went high to field the ball and passed into flanker David Wallace, who in turn fed O'Gara following up his own kick, and the flyhalf spun over the line for a try. He missed the difficult conversion but Ireland trailed 11-8 after two minutes of play.

Ireland were in again just 10 minutes later when blindside flanker Neil Best crossed the line out wide for the try. O'Gara slotted the difficult conversion and Ireland were in the lead 15-11.

The Australians stormed back with lock Nathan Sharp nearly breaking the line twice, but from the sixth phase Gerrard came in as first receiver and cut through unopposed to score under the bar. Mortlock converted from in front and Australia reclaimed the lead 18-15 after 15 minutes.

Wallabies prop Greg Holmes seized the ball from an Ireland error and sprinted to score under the posts in what was the match turner. Mortlock converted and Australia leapt ahead 25-15 after 22 minutes of the second half.

Ireland threw everything into attack, running the ball out from inside their 22 and breaking downfield to pressure the Australian line, but the Australian defence held firm. And when skipper George Gregan slid through on the blind to score in a try the match was out of Ireland’s grasp.

The Wallabies completed the rout when a smart inside snap pass from Larkham sent replacement wing Cameron Shepherd slicing through the Irish defence for an easy try. Mortlock converted for a 37-15 lead and claim the Lansdowne Cup.
Back


http://aru.com.au/news/wallabies_overpower_ireland,46314.html/section/21893

 

[aussies1st]

Ireland looked good on attack and gave us more trouble in attack than the English. Their scrum looked real weak not something you expect from a Northern Hemisphere team.

Good win for us though, when we click into gear Ireland had nothing. That try by Holmes was awesome.

 

[Woods99]

The Holmes try puts paid to the idea that rugby props are fat.

If rugby props are fat, so are top-class shot-putters, discus throwers, and hammer throwers.

All these sports demand huge levels of power and strength, which in turn requires abnormal muscle development, leading to unusual body shapes.

 

[Twizzle]

hard to argue that he's not a rotund lad, but he certainly can run for a big bloke

 

[Jackal Dog]

Good game very entertaining particularly Holmes runaway try and the 2nd Irish one which was brillaint. Too bad the Irish ran out of steam cause they could of given us a real run for our money. Irish should be very competitive come 2007.