THE GENERAL CONSENSUS among the Welsh media seems to be that their country’s win was well-deserved.
Writing for walesonline.co.uk, Andy Howell acknowledged that “the Irish will argue the penalty flanker Stephen Ferris conceded on Ian Evans was marginal,” though he added that the “only thing that matters is the scoreboard”.
He criticised Irish fans for “unsporting and unusual booing” while Halfpenny was taking his last-minute penalty, and added that Wales were “simply the better team”.
Meanwhile, Leigh Halfpenny, writing a column for the same website, described how his “heart began to thump” once the last-minute penalty was awarded.
He also expressed relief, having missed a previous conversion attempt following George North’s late try. He wrote:
“When I saw that one go to the right of the target I honestly felt it would be my last chance to win the game. But the gods were smiling on us this time.”
As for Bradley Davies’ controversial tackle, he said:
“I don’t really want to get involved in the issue to be honest, not least because I didn’t see it on the pitch and still haven’t seen it on television”
The Werstern Telegraph, meanwhile, described the match as “a classic” and also asserted that the last-minute penalty Wales were awarded was “a harsh call,” adding that Davies should have been sent off for his tackle on Ryan.
The paper’s sports columnist, Chris Kirwan, described Ireland as “rather stale looking” and argued that they “were sorely missing their injured skipper Brian O’Driscoll in midfield”.
The Daily Post quotes Warren Gatland admitting that Wales were “reasonably lucky” and “got out of jail,” while it also quotes Halfpenny praising Ireland, saying that “they gave us a really tough game”.
The South Wales Evening Post called the match “the perfect ad for the game”.
And finally, one of the paper’s reporters described an Irish taxi driver’s thoughts before the game:
“You never know what you are going to get with Ireland,” he said. “One day they can beat Australia, the next they couldn’t beat 15 nuns.”
Prophetic words, as it turned out.
Welsh fans boo’d ever time sexton lined up a kick at goal.
Up until the final kick there was total silence for all Wales kicks.
While I don’t agree with it I think most fans were booing because of the ref’s decision.
He got both sinbins wrong and now in the last two six nation games Ireland lose to Wales by a score which came from the ref making a mistake.
I agree that refereeing decisions have screwed us two years running against Wales, but none of them would’ve been that problematic if we’d played better at other points in the game. We missed so many scoring opportunities and kicked the ball away almost every chance we got.
Pity about the booing. Not what we expect in this game. More of a soccer thing really.
Wales were the better team but the ‘best team’ whatever that means doesn’t always win and Ireland, having got into the position should have closed it out. Davies’ should have seen red and letter of the law Ferris should have also (he lifted the legs above the waist and dropped him) but the level of danger in both tackles were eons apart and whilst I don’t think the law takes danger level into account it should. Well done Wales, bring on France.
Ferris did not “drop” his man, and his man had the ball, therefore he was 100% within the letter of the law. Davies dumped ryan off the ball and dropped him. It should have been red and he will face further sanctions, which will count more against Ireland as it will afford all of wales future opponents an advantage.
What ever happend to silence during the kick?
Bringing the game to the north side is what happened.
Idiot (burned toast)
I think they need the “this is not soccer” lecture from Nigel Owens.
The key decision was to kick for goal from inside our own half. That lesson was learned against France a few years ago… scored the points then but lost match. In subsequent Munster game, O’Gara kicked for touch, won the lineout and played out game in opponents’ 22.
IMO George North was the key figure, snuffing out Paulie’s offload , making space for Edwards and barrelling through McFadden twice!
We didn’t deserve to win, but to lose like that…….
Easy in hindsight to say it was the wrong decision to go for for the 3 points. If it had gone over Wales were beyond a converted try behind and it was match over. Also don’t forget even after the missed kick Ireland still had posession near the Wales 22 and gave away a silly penalty. O’Gara kicking for touch for Munster is irrelevant…
Team v France : Kearney R; Trimble: Bowe: Earls: Kearney: oGara: Murray: Ferris(6) OBrien(8) OMahony (7) OConnell: D Ryan: Healy : Best: other prop
Sexton not up to par never mind taking the masters place !!
Interesting back row, no place for Heaslip.
If the shoulders are lower than the hips in a tackle – it is deemed a “spear tackle” and a straight red. The tackle on Ryan was a straight red but Pearson copped put. Ferris tackle was also a “spear tackle” and should have also been red – although there was a huge difference between the two. The tackle on Ryan was off the ball and more dangerous
Elrat,
There isn’t a definition of a ‘spear tackle’ in the law book.
This area is contained under the section on ‘dangerous play’
Moving the player through 90degrees *in itself* isn’t illegal. The issue is, did the tackler bring the player *safely to ground*, and did the tackler go to ground himself in the tackle
Therefore driving an inverted player into the ground while the tackler remains on his feet, is clearly dangerous play and has been highlighted by the IRB as an area of focus for a straight red card – they don’t want this to increase.
Joey maybe the reason rugby players don’t play soccer is because they don’t fall over and cry every time someone brushes off them.
The only contact soccer players can handle is on twitter.
You’ve obviously never played either game Chris!
Well said Chris !!!
Why do minority sports fans ie rugby soccer and gaelic soccer always speak about football or as they call it soccer?? Why don’t you concentrate on your own inadequate sports which are played by players who are not talented enough to play football.. Is it an insecurity thing??
Joey, you are trolling. Go back and play with your lego.
The commenters about weren’t ‘discussing’ soccer.
The soccer reference is a line from a referee comment some weeks back
Joey, I think you need to check your facts here. Does soccer own the term ‘football’? Rugby is ‘Rugby Football’, Gaelic is ‘Gaelic Football’ and Soccer of ‘Association Football’. Americans call their game ‘Football’ as do Aussie Rules players. – so ‘football’ covers a lot more than the game played by overpaid prima donnas that you call football.
Dublin Naas I agree re spear tackle comment but if the tackled players shoulders are below his hip line this is deem dangerous play and out come the red – except for Pearson!
Thank you for the history lesson Joe!
‘Association football’ coined the term ‘football’. Let’s face it how many players. On a rugby pitch actually have their feet come in contact with the ball during a game. I think rugby handball might be a more apt name. As for the ‘overpaid prima Madonna’ foorballer the reason they’re overpaid is because it’s the most popular sport in the world, it’s far more more difficult to master than the other 2 codes of ‘football’ and people watch it and comment on it because they enjoy it not because they believe it enhances their intellectual standing amongst their peers.
Ps. Just because Americans call their sport football do we call jam jelly??
‘Association football’ = soccer. Any rugby player can kick the ball, have you never watched a game?
Joey, anyone can kick a ball. Id like to see you pass a rugby ball. Wouldnt think you’d have the skill, let alone the bottle to put in or take a hit.
Dublin naas are u having an identity crisis?? I’d go back and check the ‘commenters’ if I were you!!
Apols
one (accurate), one line comment I missed above
DublinNaas are u having an identity crisis?? I’d go back and check the ‘commenters’ if I were u!!
“He criticised Irish fans for “unsporting and unusual booing” while Halfpenny was taking his last-minute penalty, and added that Wales were “simply the better team”. ”
They were understandably upset at the decision which was not fair to say the least. I knew as soon as I saw Wayne Barnes that it was not going to be a good day.
I thought this thread was about the Ireland v Wales rugby match :l
I’ve played all 3 codes boys and I’m well able pass (throw) a rugby ball.. The problem is I could play all 3 with a good deal of success but not a lot of the rugby lads could trap a bag of sand never mind a ‘ball’ with their feet., as for the gaa lads most if them wish they could play football but do not possess the skill, panache or intelligence to play the game so they resort to the inferior more robust version where one can use one’s hands to ‘trap’ the ‘foot’ball thus negating any need for talent. The end product I’m afraid is the insecurity felt by rugby and gaa afficionados towards the superior sport thus they feel the need to attempt to belittle ‘soccer’.