IRELAND’S SUCCESS and supporters have become rather popular in New Zealand of late (beating Australia will do that).
"Irresistible Ireland take spoils against Italy," stated The New Zealand Heraldheadline.
“Otago Stadium turned into an Ireland paradise tonight,” wrote Hayden Meikle. “The 40th and final Rugby World Cup pool game saw the $200 million venue turn almost completely green, and everybody’s favourite second team launch into the quarter-finals with a fourth consecutive win.
“They have backs with real zip and a loose forward trio, led by the classy Seán O’Brien, as good as any.”
The local Otago Daily Times, under the headline: "Ireland see off fierce Italy challenge," commended the rejuvenated Irish number 10.
“Ronan O’Gara experienced none of the kicking problems that afflicted players in the other three pool matches under the roof of Dunedin’s Otago Stadium, succeeding with six of his seven place kicks at goal and hitting the post with the other.
L'Equipesaw the benefit of Declan Kidney's side topping Pool C from a French perspective as a Northern versus Southern Hemisphere final is guaranteed.
Christian Jaurena wrote: “At half-time, it was like a throw back to the good old days of the Six Nations, not the brand new Lansdowne Road in Dublin, but in the former. The time when Irish rugby was limited to the cliché of ‘fighting spirit’ and a good striker to punish lack of discipline of the Latin Bleus. It was enough to win, poorly . . . the only good things we had seen in the first half that were ideally suited for the beautiful game were stands filled with a multitude of men and women in green and orange. In the field, however, the party seemed more balanced.”
The Australian newspaper is, understandably, prioritising the Wallabies’ cataclysmic showdown with the Springboks next Sunday but did give credit to the winners of Pool C: “In a spiteful match full of niggle, the Irish led Italy just 9-6 at half-time but broke the tense affair open with a three-try blitz in 15 minutes. Fittingly, O’Driscoll, in his fourth World Cup campaign, sped over for the first five-pointer to trigger the victory for Ireland to go through the pool stages unbeaten for the first time.”
“Keith Earls tries help Ireland stroll past Italy,” was the take of the Guardian on the 30 point victory as the Irish flankers were once again lauded.
“What threatened to be a massive struggle against a highly emotional Italy, looking to produce a huge performance for their departing coach, Nick Mallett, turned out to be at the other end of the spectrum. Ireland went from being a bit better than Italy at everything to being a lot better. Wales await in the quarter-finals in Wellington, though it remains to be seen if the hooker Rory Best will be a part of that match, having gone for a scan on a shoulder injury that forced him off in the second half.”
The London Independentsaid of Cian Healy: "As the game wore on, the Leinster prop started to wear a larger and more satisfied grin. Rightly so – Healy was a huge part of a frontrow effort which dominated the lauded Italian pack at the scrum and the breakdown. And when the Italians attempted to wind him up, he smiled it away and continued smashing the Azzurri. Immense.
And for Gordon D'Arcy they added: Started this tournament with a woeful performance against USA, but he was massive today. Stubborn in defence, and a constant menace with ball in hand. Made a great break in the second half which led to a try. Good to have you back, Gordon.
