IRELAND’S VICTORIOUS SKIPPER Brian O’Driscoll paid tribute to the vociferous Irish support at Eden Park as his side shocked Australia 15-6 in Auckland today.
The Leinster centre played a captain’s role but he warned that only “half the job” was done as they now aim to top Pool C.
That outcome would set up a quarter-final with Wales and a possible semi-final against, in all probability, France or England.
O’Driscoll told ITV after the final whistle: “It’s a performance we knew we had in us. We had to dig deeper than we had done in the last five games.”
“It’s half the job done. Two wins and two more to get. As much as we will enjoy this, let’s not lose sight that we have two more games.”
BOD’s lieutenant Paul O’Connell admitted it was a “special day” for the Irish, but also refused to get carried away despite the victory.
“Today we played to our potential,” the lock told a TV reporter in the tunnel. “It’s just a pool game for us. All the games from now on in are big games.”
Coach Declan Kidney, typically, refused to get carried away with the victory.
“I was pleased with the way we went about out business. We managed to stifle a very good Australian side,” he said.
“I think our scrum is getting a little stronger. We still have a little bit of work to do. The work really starts now.”
Kidney’s counterpart Robbie Deans said: “Ireland were very effective. They defended really well and did not allow us to recycle the ball. It was effective.
“We would have liked more field position. Our decision-making was not always great.”
As it happened: Ireland v Australia>
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