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Rugby World Cup - Ireland v Australia

Rugby World Cup - Ireland v Australia

Rugby World Cup - Ireland v Australia

IT Sat, Sep 17
 

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  • 08:40
    Good morning and welcome to this morning's liveblog of Ireland's second Rugby World Cup Pool C game, let's hope it's better than the first. There is a marked difference between the standard of opposition today, so a similar improvement in an Irish performance is necessary if the doomsday merchants are to be kept quiet, for now at least.
  • 08:44
    I'm Carl O'Malley, so you know who to lynch if this 'experience' doesn't live up to your expectations. You can have your say, too, by using the comment box or the Twitter machine, @carlomalley.
  • 08:49
    The latest. Argentina this morning proved how utterly inept Scotland's performance against Romania was with a thorough pounding of the minnows this rmoning. This bonus point win sees them top Pool B this morning, but of course England face Georgia in Dunedin tomorrow. They are, apparently, knackered after throwing dwarves at eachother in nightclub early this week, so you never know.
  • 08:57
    Anyhow, enough of that. South Africa have just gone some way to silencing their critics with a 49-3 win over Fiji in a smashing contest. The scoreline, it could be argued, masked over the cracks. Fiji troubled them at times and the Boks, if I heard correctly, missed a 17 tackles against the islanders.
  • 08:58
  • 09:03
    This is how those games leave the tables, as of right now.
  • 09:03
    'Mattie' and 'Franno' are gearing up for this one on d'telly. "It's here, no more warm-ups, no more excuses, this is it", is Mattie's call to arms. Here are his thoughts in this morning's Irish Times.
  • 09:05
    And here's the main man in the green corner, Gerry Thornley, tipping, eh, Australia.
  • 09:08
    Williams is pretty upbeat and insists he wants Ireland to win, even his kids are Down Under wearing green jerseys, he says. Franno, the ying to his yang, doesn't sound too optimistic. There are a few players that haven't performed of late, he mumbles, before listing off practically the whole team.
  • 09:10
    Massive news just in. David Pocock, arguably (with a doff of the cap to Heinrich Brussouw) the best groundhog in the game has been ruled out. Great news for Ireland and it even perks Franno up. "If Pocock is out we have a chance."
  • 09:13
    Hooker Stephen Moore is also out.

    Courtesy of Reuters: The only specialist openside flanker in the Australian squad, was withdrawn from the team in the morning because of "soreness associated with a back strain". Moore followed suit just over an hour before the match because of illness.

    Ben McCalman, usually a blindside flanker or number eight, has been brought into the side in place of Pocock with number eight Wycliff Palu joining the replacements on the bench.
  • 09:16
    So, here are the amended teams.

    AUSTRALIA    : K Beale; J O’Connor, A Fainga’a, P McCabe, A Ashley-Cooper; Q Cooper, W Genia; S Kepu, S Faingaa, B Alexander; D Vickerman, J Horwill (capt); R Elsom, B McCalman, R Samo. Replacements: T Polota Nau, J Slipper, R Simmons, B McCalman, S Higginbotham, L Burgess, D Mitchell.

    IRELAND: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D’Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); J Sexton (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster); S Ferris (Ulster), S O’Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), C Murray (Munster), R O’Gara (Munster), A Trimble (Ulster).

    Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand).

    Forecast: Australia to win.
  • 09:16
    Ciaran who's the referee today Carl? Any omens to hang on to?
  • 09:17
    Bryce Lawrence, Ciaran. I usually have some lowly minion to dig that stuff up for me, but he's nowhere to be seen. Needless to say, he's fired!
  • 09:18
    Moore, incidentally, has Irish parents. Inside job?
  • 09:27
    Franno wants a "huge game from Heaslip", but he has been buoyed by that Pocock news and feels there is a chance. "This is going to be a belter", adds Mattie, mate.

    BOD has just won the toss, but wisely chosen not to reveal his decision. He then shook James Horwill's hand with dismissive contempt and stormed back to the dressing room. Boom, have that, Jaaaaames.
  • 09:29
    Here it is, the limp disappointment of Ireland's Call. I have no issue with the different anthem, by the way, I'd just like it better if it was actually good.
  • 09:30
    Like, the Black-Eyed Peas, I've got a feeling,  for instance.
  • 09:31
    Video footage of Argentina win

    Video footage of South Africa win
  • 09:32
    Just about to get underway here. Quade Cooper to kick to Ireland. Eden Park is rocking.
  • 09:33
    Ugggh, bad start. Earls caught with foot in touch when receiving. Lineout Australia, just inside 22.
  • 09:34
    Ireland and O'Brien getting stuck in and the Aussies hold on to the ball. Scrum Ireland. Good recovery. Ireland run it and Bowe kicks clear down the line.
  • 09:34
    No nerves there, Wallabies overthrow it and O'Callaghan gets a boot on it but it's over for a 22. Good start, though.
  • 09:36
    D'Arcy claims the 22, Healy carries and then O'Brien, O'Connell. Heaslip is tackled by Beale and Genia gets his hand on the ball and clears with the boot.
  • 09:36
    No numbers at the breakdown there. Same as against the USA.
  • 09:37
    O'Connell knocks forward the throw in. Scrum Australia between the Irish 10-metre line and 22.
  • 09:38
    5 min: Cooper gets his hand on it, but the touch judge has signalled a high tackle by Rob Kearney. That was going Ireland's way for a knock on but Kearney has afforded a shot at the posts for James O'Connor.
  • 09:39
    That tackle was on Kurtley Beale and it was, indeed, high. No complaints.
  • 09:40
    O'Connor pulls the kick to the left, ten metres from the touchline.
  • 09:41
    Beale takes the restart and powers upfield. Genia is stopped by O'Brien, but the Aussies are up to within a metre. Scrum Australia, right under the posts.
  • 09:42
    Good carry by Rocky Elsom there, too. Five metre scrum.
  • 09:42
    Frontrows up, good defensive effort from Ireland. 'The attitude is fantastic', says Bryce Lawrence.
  • 09:43
    Not this time. Penalty Australia as crum collapses. Another chance for O'Connor. He won't miss this.
  • 09:45
    Australia have the lead and just reward for the pressure they exerted there. Ireland must regroup now as Sexton restarts. Dan Vickerman claims, Genia goes wide to Cooper, Beale. Penalty Ireland, as Horwill holds on.
  • 09:46
    Crunching tackle by O'Connell on the Wallabies captain there. Sexton eyes the posts from the 10 metre line, pretty central, just right of posts.
  • 09:47
    He's hit it dead straight and it slides past the right-handside upright. Poor kick from Jonny. Good connection but it didn't deviate at all.
  • 09:49
    14 min: Sexton puts it up in the air from the restart and Kearney gathers well. We've missed that sort of catch. Into the 22, courtesy of that little wrap around from Sexton with O'Driscoll that we like so much. Sexton grubbers through but there's a penalty there and another chance for the Leinster outhalf.
  • 09:50
    Not as easy, this one, but he fires it over low and hard from a tighter angle. All square in Auckland after 16 minutes.
  • 09:51
    Bowe gathers the restart brilliantly and Ireland on the front foot again with Kearney, Sexton and then O'Connell. Up to the 22.
  • 09:52
    Ferris goes, then Healy, 13 phases into the 22.
  • 09:53
    O'Brien tries to snipe, if a man his size can snipe. Lawrence signals a free so Sexton has a free shot at it and nails the drop goal! Great play from Ireland, really excellent continuity there. 14 phases and points with the boot.
  • 09:55
    O'Brien takes the restart and keeps ball in hand. Then Healy takes it on and Reddan clears long. Beale fires it high again, Kearney takes but horwill turns over. Beale kicks through and O'Brien gathers and BOD boots to touch.
  • 09:55
    Storm weathered but Ireland look a tad too confident maybe. Nevertheless, it was dealt with, for now.
  • 09:56
    Lineout Australia. They win but Ireland smother them and it's a green scrum. More brilliant defensive play there from Kidney's men. Scrum on the 22.
  • 09:57
    Solid scrum and box kick from Reddan. Good touch. The frontrow will be happy with their start ot the game.
  • 09:59
    Aussies take this one and recycle it cleanly. Beale again the dangerman and he makes ground. Earls hits his man hard but O'Brien is offside. Beale taken well by Bowe and Ross that time. But it's a kick for O'Connor in front of the posts.
  • 10:00
    Level pegging as the youngster ignores the whistles and catcalls and kicks his second penalty.
  • 10:02
    Restart taken by Vickerman. Beale again tries to break through, Cooper takes it on, O'Driscoll takes him down and there's another penalty for intererence from Heaslip on the ground. Four pens conceded. Stupid stuff from Jamie.
  • 10:02
    This is similar to the one O'Connor missed early on.
  • 10:03
    God, he looks like a young Justin Bieber. Depressing. But the good news is, he missed. Still level.
  • 10:04
    Ireland win it at the breakdwon after the restart. More great groundwork there. Scrum Ireland
  • 10:04
    J. Murphy-OConnor Please give the score at the beginning of EACH comment.
  • 10:05
    There is a scoreboard at the bottom of the page. I know it should be at the top but that's out of our control at the moment.
  • 10:05
    6-6, in any case. Irish scrum reset twice now. Third time lucky
  • 10:06
    Kearney makes ground on the blindside, then O'Callaghan and Sexton boots high. Cooper knocks on and it comes back to Ireland. Bowe is held up well but it's called back for the knock-on. Scrum Ireland on Aussie 10-metre line.
  • 10:07
    32 min: Penalty Ireland after scrum collapses. Another sterling effort from the frontrow. This is pretty central and should be three points.
  • 10:08
    Oh dear, he's pushed that well wide to the right.
  • 10:09
    He took about two steps up to that and it looked like he might have been forcing it slightly.
  • 10:09
    34 min: Ireland again claim possession from the restart and win another srum on the 22.
  • 10:10
    A bit shaky but Reddan gets it clear to Kearney. Ferris takes it on and then D'Arcy. Good retention under pressure but no ground made.
  • 10:11
    Scrum Australia after harsh call on Reddan, really. First ref got in the way and then Horwill looked offside.
  • 10:12
    Aussies clear their lines and it's a lineout just inside Ireland's 10-metre. Green ball after the ball in is crooked. That could be the difference a replacement hooker makes after Moore withdrawal. Scrum Ireland.
  • 10:14
    They drive it forward and win a penalty. Second from the scrum in this half. Huge effort by Healy and co. Sexton finds touch for green throw in on the 10-metre line. But this time it's Ireland who go crooked in from touch. Scrum Aussies.
  • 10:14
    Guest moore injured?
  • 10:14
    Yes, Moore pulled out through illness and Pocock withdrew with a back strain. Teams are down the page.
  • 10:15
    39 min: Massive scrum from Ireland and Ferris lifts Genia out of it when the scrum is turned and makes 10 metres. Scrum Ireland. Brilliant play from the pack.
  • 10:17
    Heaslip picks and Reddan finds Earls, Ireland roll on but McCalman, Pocock's replacement, knocks the ball out of green hand. Halftime.
  • 10:19
    That was a big half by Ireland. Save for the indiscipline by a few, it was a monumental effort. More possession than the Aussies, better scrum too. A couple of straight forward penalties went astray though and it could prove costly. You can't have it all, however, and Australia, in all honesty, don't look happy out there.
  • 10:19
    Eamonn Following your commentary from MacDonalds in Kutaisi, Georgia. Sounds like we are doing and England on it: targeting them in the scrum
  • 10:22
    God I hope not. The scrum has been excellent but there is some adventure to Ireland's play that suggests they have been holding a little of the play book back. There's been some quick taps and some play out of our 22 as well. Up and under is also working with Kearney on the chase.
  • 10:22
    joe following the txt from poland. so nervous. polskis think i'm mad...
  • 10:29
    Ireland keep the Aussies waiting but the teams are back out now. Worth remembering the Aussies were level with Italy before routing them last week. First score crucial. Sexton restarts.
  • 10:29
    It comes back from O'Connor and Ireland go high. Kearney challenges Beale but Aussies take and get put in after driving forward.
  • 10:31
    Solid scrum from both sides as Cooper kicks down the middle. Sexton loses it but regathers and Ireland have. Kearney goes long and Aussies return with interest through Beale, but the pass misses Cooper and Ireland reclaim in their own 22. Let off the hook there.
  • 10:31
    Mark If Mcdonalds can open in kutsaisi then Ireland can win rwc!!!
  • 10:31
    Hehe
  • 10:32
    Paul Wynne Watching from Doha, Qatar. Doing well so far...
  • 10:32
    Great running from Beale there. Scrum Ireland, deep iside their own half.
  • 10:33
    It turns but Ireland to get another chance. Hadn't gone 90 degrees and went down
  • 10:33
    44 min: Another go at it.
  • 10:34
    Reddan feeds Sexton, who sets DArcy free but he's driven back. Sexton clears. Cooper returns it and it's taken by Heaslip. Ferris and O'Brien combine to take it back at them. BOD kicks for corner.
  • 10:35
    Quick lineout from Aussies and booted clear, I think by Beale. Ireland clear too and its an Aussie lineout on their 10 metre.
  • 10:36
    They take and bring to the forwards before Cooper kicks across field for touch. They are targetting the balls in behind the Ireland cover.
  • 10:36
    47 min: Best and D'Arcy getting treatment now. Neither looks to badly hurt.
  • 10:37
    Green lineout just inside Irish 10 metre. O'Connell claims. Penalty Ireland after Aussie haul down the maul
  • 10:39
    Up to the Aussie 10 metre for a green lineout. Heaslip takes, Reddan then BOD and an inside pass to O'Brien. Good ground made, Ireland rumble on and win the penalty from Lawrence after Horwill came through.
  • 10:39
    In front of the posts for Sexton. He must land this.
  • 10:39
    Sorry, not that straight forward. Well right of the posts but still routine.
  • 10:40
    This time it's over. Ireland back in front and that could be a crucial score. First of the half after early pressure from the Aussies.
  • 10:41
    50 min: Reddan's box kick gathered and Beale runs it, caught by Ferris and O'Brien. Genia clears but Ireland boot it straight back. Lineout crooked again! Scrum Ireland outside the Aussie 22.
  • 10:42
    It was bad for D'Acry and he's off. Irish scrum win a penalty. O'Gara's on and Sexton will move to inside centre, I believe. But he'll still take this kick.
  • 10:43
    Over towards the left touch line, suits him but it's not easy
  • 10:44
    Off the post! And BOD just misses the bouncing ball. Aussies run clear but Healy puts in a thunderous tackle and they go wide again. Penalty Australia, though, as O'Brien strays offside.
  • 10:45
    Aussies clear and take the lineout, just outside Irish 22 now.
  • 10:46
    56 min:  Ireland slow it down well. Samo takes from the base, out wide then to Cooper, O'Connor and Beale. Ashley Cooper tackled by BOD, Genia snipes, Horwill takes it on.
  • 10:47
    Cooper takes and flips a pass out wide on the blindside but it's gone forward. That was wasteful from the outhalf after he made the break.
  • 10:48
    Scrum Ireland, deep inside their 22, but it's been a massive effort from the Irish defence, especially at the breakdown. Really slowing the Aussies down.
  • 10:49
    Heaslip takes and Ireland run it! All the way across to Bowe, who's kick is almost blocked but it's out on the halfway for an Ireland ball.
  • 10:49
    sean WWould be nice to get an update on the score. I'm off to rte
  • 10:50
    There's is a scoreboard at the bottom of the screen. It's 9-6 Ireland
  • 10:51
    Sorry, back to the game. Aussies have lost it forward under pressure and again credit must go to the breakdown merchants Ferris and O'Brien.
  • 10:51
    Gearoid Good luck Sean - but this is the best commentary online
  • 10:51
    Why fank you.
  • 10:52
    Trimble's on as BOD gets treatment for blood. Earls and Sexton in midfield, ROG at flyhalf and Trimble on the wing.
  • 10:52
    61 min: Scrum Ireland. It goes down but there's another chance.
  • 10:53
    Guest It is the best & as I am using my iPhone, it's the only one that refresh ok
  • 10:53
    Mark Rathdown 1 loretto foxrock 0 (that's why I'm following here!)
  • 10:53
    Nichole God would give to have a tv now, sounds exciting even on the iphone
  • 10:53
    Guest really enjoying the commentary too...come on ireland!!
  • 10:54
    Penalty Ireland. Bryce lost patience with the Aussie front row and another shot at the posts. Who will take it?
  • 10:54
    BOD's back on and O'Gara steps up. Good game from Sexton so far, but right for ROG to step up. This for a six-point lead.
  • 10:55
    And it's over from the Munster man. Just reward for Ireland. Dare I say it there is a historic result on the cards here if Ireland keep their head.
  • 10:55
    kate No there is no a scoreboard.at least not on mobile.but agree on the commentary.
  • 10:55
    That's interesting to know, Kate. Thanks. 12-6 Ireland
  • 10:56
    O'Gara goes high after O'Brien makes break, but it finds touch. Back to the Irish 10-metre for an Aussie lineout.
  • 10:56
    Ciarán I'm getting a good feeling about this!! Hope it lasts
  • 10:56
    eoin ah...don't say anything yet!
  • 10:57
    Ashley-Cooper breaks down the right. Samo is taken by O'Brien and Genia breaks where there was no gap but Lawrence calls it back for obstruction againt Kefu. Right call but a relief.
  • 10:57
    Eamonn right to let rog take it. hope he doesn't go mad with fancy kicking though...
  • 10:58
    Garret 12years dice oz failed to score a wc try. Hope it's not another one pointer
  • 10:58
    Dan how do figure out remaining time - ie what time is it due to finish?
  • 10:58
    15 minutes left now
  • 10:59
    Ireland back into the Aussie half, an up n'under and Kearney gathers the breaking ball under the posts. Ross just holds on to it and Ireland recycle but Healy knocks it on and that was agonisingly close.
  • 10:59
    Dan so, more or less 11:15?
  • 11:00
    Yep
  • 11:00
    68 min: Scrum Aussies on their own 5-metre.
  • 11:01
    Has to be reset as frontrows go down. Could have been a penalty there as Kefu went down.
  • 11:01
    It is now!
  • 11:02
    Penalty Ireland after Lawrence loses patience. Alexander went down under pressure. Easy one for O'Gara, (Hopefully)
  • 11:02
    For a nine point lead!
  • 11:03
    It's over. 15-6 to Ireland. Credit to Healy. He has been fantastic!
  • 11:03
    O'Brien and Healy bring it out of defence. Aussies have it back after kick clear.
  • 11:04
    72 min: Aussies have momentum and Beale is taken by Sexton and into touch. Great defence again by Ireland. Ferris and O'Brien prominent. How many times is that now? Elsom makes way for Palu
  • 11:04
    Nichole Amazing
  • 11:05
    Garret Oz have only lost one wc pool match - back in 95!
  • 11:05
    Eamonn my god i can't believe we are in this position!!
  • 11:06
    O'Gara goes high and Kearney takes Cooper, but Aussies break and Samo takes it on. O'Connell tackles but Aussies come hard and fast with Ashley-Cooper.
  • 11:06
    Recycled again and it's back over the left but O'Connor's pass is forward and into touch seven metres from the line.
  • 11:06
    No way through as the the Irish defence, to a man, puts in a massive shift.
  • 11:07
    Ciarán Come on I
  • 11:07
    eoin they just need to hold their nerve now...
  • 11:07
    Ciarán land - we NEED this!
  • 11:07
    75 min: Scrum Ireland, that pass was forward.
  • 11:08
    Murray is on at scrumhalf now. He's taken by Higginbotham and the Aussies win the scrum
  • 11:09
    Five minutes left.  You have to question that call of bring Murray on. Genia breaks, one metre short!
  • 11:09
    They try and go over the top but win the 5-metre scrum. Real pressure here.
  • 11:10
    Ireland need a big scrum here. C'mon Healy, one more time.
  • 11:10
    Mike Ross is off. That's a blow, considering where we are.
  • 11:11
    Scrum reset. Down on the far side. It's Court on that side.
  • 11:12
    And it collapses again. Penalty Aussies, they come but Tommy Bowe intercepts and runs the pitch, 90 metres, before he's taken in touch by O'Connor.
  • 11:12
    Amazing stuff by Bowe and Ireland, just short of the tryline, but danger cleared. 78 minutes.
  • 11:13
    And Murray is over the line! But it's ruled out, not sure why, but Aussies restart.
  • 11:13
    30 seconds left though. Ireland have done it. I can safely say that now.
  • 11:14
    GUBU stuff here. Time is up but Aussies come again after scrum from deep.
  • 11:14
    eoin come on Healy!
  • 11:14
    eoin excellent...well done Ireland!!:)
  • 11:15
    Tap penalty on halfway. Beale still trying. Then Genia. Penalty Ireland. That's it!!!
  • 11:16
    IRELAND HAVE BEATEN AUSTRALIA as BOD finds touch. What a performance, what a win. 15-6 over Australia. Fantastic performance by the men in green. Absolutely mammoth performance from one and all. That's history.
  • 11:16
    Ciarán There goes the weekend.
  • 11:16
    Guest Sár Mhaith Foirn na h-Eireann
  • 11:16
    stumbling_rabbit Thanks for the commentary. RWC is not on tv here.
  • 11:16
    Garret There may be a god after all
  • 11:17
    James Horwill.  - "Irish did well to spoil our ball. We played some dumb footy and we weren't good enough."
  • 11:17
    Chris. McCarthy I can't bloody believe. It's surely night and I am asleep!
  • 11:18
    No you're not dreaming. And there was no luck about this, it was throughly deserved. Ireland were head and shoulders the better team,
  • 11:18
    Gerry Thornley's match report to follow and hopefully some analysis from Liam Toland.
  • 11:19
    BOD - "It was the performance we knew we had in us. You'd swear we were in Dublin with that support and we owed them that performance."
  • 11:20
    Cautionary note - "We have two wins and we have two more to get. So let's not lose sight of that fact."
  • 11:20
    Eamonn So proud!
  • 11:20
    Gearoid Well, sure, it looks like the lads were holding back the last four or five games after all, trying to give us all a scare.
  • 11:20
    Atletico Congratulations from Spain. Up the Irish!!!!
  • 11:21
    stumbling_rabbit Its time to find a good bar and toss some midgets... hahaha
  • 11:22
    Hey, take a look at the updated table. That's a beautiful sight.
  • 11:32
    Maui Go Ireland! Congrats from Kiwiland.
  • 11:32
    caitlin Thanks be to God! Up Ireland!
  • 11:32
    english rugby fans in the pub ,all cheering ireland ,well done ,you were just great,god bless ya!
  • 11:32
    Cowell Well done Ireland!!!!! Great game, but go the the All Blacks for the RWC!
  • 11:33
    Cian Healy man of the match. Let that be a lesson to those who wrote him off when he was just a nipper in prop terms. His performance was a 'Richard Dunne' of a game.
  • 11:36
    jo peterson awesome ireland. you deserved the win
  • 11:36
    Gearoid Thanks for all the commentary!
  • 11:37
    Thanks for all the comments. Gerry's take on it will be up shortly. I'll link it here.
  • 11:53
    Give this a moment to update, but here is the match-report from Auckland
  • 11:53
    air fresh congrstulations from scotland. keep going.
  • 11:53
    Shea well done ireland. i'm a new zealand australian and im proud of ireland's efforts
  • 11:57
    Enda Kenny Congrats from the folk singer you might have mistaken for a Taoiseach
  • 11:57
    paul@paris Well done Ireland. (from paris)
  • 12:09
    Guest Woaaahhh !!! Extraordinaire !!!
  • 12:09
    Frenchie I have no words,,,they did the job.
  • 12:09
    Mark There'll be no cows milked in Kutsaisi tonight!
  • 12:09
    female O.A.P. Dublin Congratulalations on a wonderful peeformance. Keep up the gpood work
  • 12:09
    Ms sm Watched in California with some young Irish emigrants, go n-eiri an t-adh libh go leir ar fad!
  • 12:09
    Kevin come on the boys in green! Thanks for the commentary, only way to watch the game here in outback australia.
  • 12:10
    Here it is. Highlights of a great night/morning
  • 12:10
    kiwi good game to watch. heaps of us kiwis where supporting you guys. we hate aussies.
  • 12:10
    french in dub excellent job, ireland. I am dreaming of a France vs Ireland final
  • 12:16
    graemeNZ We are seeing some exellent rugby here. Well done Ireland.
  • 12:17
    Ben McD Irish - live in Australia. I'm delighted with the win. Great game Lads !
  • 12:26
    Owen Brilliant! Awesome!proud! Well done Ireland from A very happy Irish man in Sydney
  • 12:27
    Prof Kevin As in life it is only the foolish that get ahead fo themselves. I have lived in Oz fro 25 yrs and my boys play rugby and league .......... the pasting we have got from the Aussies in the lead up was in the end boring but what an Irish display to put it up to the wrolds No 2 and Tri Nations Winner. As BOD cautions we have to be cool and complete thsi Group as Winners and hopefully we can get closer to the Holy Grail than ever before.
  • 12:58
    Brian Congratulations from Freetown
  • 12:58
    Darby 110 years ago my Irish great grand father arrived at the bottom of the world. Tonight at Eden Park I witnessed an intense game of tournament rugby before a home crowd of Irish Kiwis. Ireland were resilient to the end and Irish rugby has good reason to be on top of the world.
  • 12:58
    bill redmond In New Zealand, watching that wonderful performance. To beat a southern hemisphere team in their own hemisphere, albeit most of the crowd in Auckland was shouting for Ireland, is an immense performance. The pack in particular were brilliant. When we lost David Wallace I feared the worst, but Sean O'Brien tonight was a giant,as was Cian Healy and Paul O'Connell once again showed he's the best lock in the world. Wonderful
  • 13:00
    Thanks again for all the feedback. What a performance from the lads. Gonna sign off in five minutes so if you have anything left to add, do it now. Cheers.
  • 13:05
    Bill Redmond Only thing to add before you sign off is, it's a greater night than ever to be Irish!
  • 13:08
    Colm Madden It's not cricket so not seen on TV here in India. But the result is fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.
  • 13:09
    conorob Congrats to the giants in the green shirt. It feels great to be Irish walking through the street in Belgium today
  • 13:09
    Brian From a Kiwi with an Irish passport and married to an Irish lady this was a great game. Best of the tournament so far.
  • 13:10
    Lovely stuff, thanks again. I'll be back tomorrow for another cracker (hopefully), the All-Ireland football final between Dublin and Kerry from Croker. Slán.