There was a lot of disappointment and frustration after the game against the All-Blacks. George Hook was almost calling for Declan Kidney’s resignation. While the frustration is understandable – Ireland never really had serious scoring chances, we have to remember that this is the All Blacks – the number one team in the world – we are ranked eighth – home or away a victory was always going to be difficult. I felt frustration and resignation after the match. But the cold statistics tell a different story. Ireland defended magnificently.
It took the All Blacks 25 minutes to score. Admittedly Dan Carter missed two easy penalties early on – but he missed them! After they scored we drew level pretty quickly. Then on the 40th minute we had that penalty try.
www.Inpho.ie ©
I still haven’t seen it on TV – but the photograph defiantly shows a cynical action – so no dispute with the yellow card. However the photo does not convince me that Richie McCaw would have scooped up the ball and retained control and scored – he was diving in hope, just like Tommy Bowe was diving in fear. But it’s a score and the referee had the benefit of the TMO.
In the second half New Zealand scored 2 real tries, the last one a beauty (I caught the whole sequence see below). But look at the clock – the last try was in the 55th minute. Ireland were now dead on their feet, but managed to hold out for the last 25 minutes. But the All-Blacks had it won – they stopped trying you say. No chance – this is the all Blacks – they will happily run up a cricket score if they are able; they are never satisfied with just a win; they might give you a softy try in the last minute; but they just want to score score score. Remember how Ireland would be criticized for keeping in touch for an hour but losing it completely in the last 20 minutes. Not this team. I take a lot from that and I believe Ireland deserve much more credit than the pundits give them. Of course this was a great commanding performance by the All Blacks. Of course we were never given any hope once that penalty try was awarded. Frustration, frustration, frustration. We had no compensating high moment when we looked like scoring. But this is an acceptable performance, if defeat is ever acceptable. Against opposition like the All Blacks – defeat is always a probability.
Last Try - still 26 minutes left, Uploaded by M+MD.
We have much more important games to look forward to. We have the crucial game against Argentina this week-end. This is a friendly with a double edge. Firstly – we owe them. After our performance against them in the world cup we need to show them who really belongs in the world top five. So first we play for pride. Second edge is much more important. The result of this game will directly impact our world cup seedings. A loss by us and a win by Scotland over Canada (an absolute certainty) means we are ninth in the world and seeded in the third rankings. This means we will have 2 of the top eight teams in a certain pool of death in the next Rugby World Cup. That makes this “friendly” into a cup final qualifier. I can’t understand why its not a sell-out – maybe it will be on the day.
Then on the 7th February we have the return of France to Croke Park. We owe them too. We owe them for world cup semi-final places; and we owe them for our first ever game in Croke Park, when Ireland choked in the big occasion and France nicked a try in the last few minutes. Sortez Les Bleu (si vous plait).
Then we have Martin Johnson leading England as manager into Croke Park on the 28th February. Jonno wasn’t involved in the fantastic day in Croker in 2007. But he will know what it meant to Ireland and he will want to win England last game in Croke Park just like we won the first. This is Jonno who broke protocol in Lansdowne Road and made Mary McAleese walk of the red carpet. That was a grandslam final and he won that day. We own him too!
I’m looking forward to settling those three debts in the next three outings to Croke Park. We have a lot to do to beat New Zealand, Munster nearly did it for us again. But when we’re ready to beat New Zealand, I hope I’m there to see it.
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