That try: Mike Phillips
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Wales kept alive their slim hopes of lifting the Six Nations trophy with a 19-13 victory over Ireland in a dour clash at the Millennium Stadium.
Controversy will forever be attached with this March 12 fixture as a Mike Phillips score that should never have been awarded will leave the whole of Ireland fuming on Saturday evening.
It came from an Irish clearance that led to Wales captain Matthew Rees taking a line-out quickly. However, television replays proved the eyebrow raisers correct in that it was a different ball that the hooker picked up and used on the touchline.
But the history books will show a Welsh victory, one that puts them level on points with current leaders England, who play Scotland on Sunday.
Ireland had gone into the dressing room at half-time with a 13-9 lead thanks to a try from Brian O'Driscoll, but were left pointless in the second period as they chose to kick more than they ran. Paddy Wallace will also be kicking himself for looking for an easier conversion for Jonathan Sexton instead of just taking the try at the death.
But in truth, the sporadic drama cannot disguise what was a dismal 80 minutes.
The game took just 20 seconds for the first replacement to be made and it may be a record for the shortest period of time on a field. Scrum-half Eoin Reddan was withdrawn after copping a ball in the face from Lee Byrne's hefty clearance directly from the kick-off.
Peter Stringer came on in his place at the base and was, in fact, the player to fire out a pass to returning Ireland winger Tommy Bowe, who subsequently created a hole for captain and outside centre O'Driscoll to dive over and open the scoring in the early stages.
If that substitution is to be an unwanted tag for scrum-half Reddan, it was one of three records or milestones to be beaten or matched within the first four minutes. O'Driscoll's smartly-taken try now propels him to joint top try-scorer in Five/Six Nations history while Ronan O'Gara reached 1000 Test points with the extras.
Wales quickly needed to find their footing and two James Hook penalties pulled them back to within a point before the hour, with Ireland giving away sloppy offences at the breakdown.
Hook's inclusion over the veteran fly-half Stephen Jones did not really lead to much creation though, as both sides maybe felt the need to claim victory before looking to cut loose.
O'Gara did boot a long-range penalty on 33 minutes and one on the half-time hooter to extend the lead, but it was only a three-point lift due to Leigh Halfpenny's own strike.
The second-half was one to forget for Ireland as replacement Sexton endured a difficult half-hour. First he pushed a cross-field effort into touch before missing a simple penalty.
Then came the moment that will be tagged to this game as Rees threw to Phillips from the touchline and the scrum-half showed his pace and power to go over. Hook's conversion was the further twist of the knife into Ireland's side as the momentum had consequently swung. Jonathan Kaplan had requested confirmation from touch judge Peter Allan, who said it was the same ball, but replays conclusively illustrated that the officials were wrong.
Ireland cannot say that they didn't have a chance to banish their upcoming nightmare tonight though, with Wallace's big blunder on the hooter ending Ireland's hopes of silverware.
Man-of-the-match: For his general game-management, James Hook.
Moment-of-the-match: Is there any other contender? The controversial try for Mike Phillips. Ireland will no doubt be fuming and talking about this one for a good while yet.
Villain-of-the-match: I don't mean to pick on an official but it has to go to Peter Allan for not spotting the different ball being used in the lead-up to Mike Phillips' try.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Try: Phillips
Con: Hook
Pen: Hook 3, Halfpenny
For Ireland:
Tries: O'Driscoll
Con: O'Gara
Pen: O'Gara 2
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jamie Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Matthew Rees (c), 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 John Yapp, 18 Jonathan Thomas, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Morgan Stoddart.
Ireland: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian 0'Driscoll (c), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Sean O'Brien, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Leo Cullen, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Paddy Wallace.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Peter Allan (Scotland)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
gnlr says...
Just to clarify, Kaplan (another hopeless SH ref) did not ask if it was the same ball, he asked was it the correct ball.
All this proves is that the Welsh are only good at cheating, just watch the Ospreys they try it all the time.
Posted 12:17 15th March 2011
crunchfit says...
Also, if I have got the wrong match, the Irish are the first to shred themselves. They are by far their harshest critics. So I still doubt this "two-facedness", etc. Even after the Wales ball incident, RTA spent about 2 - 3 minutes on the incident, and spent the rest of the post match discussion giving the team and coaches one of the worst criticisms I've seen.
Posted 11:56 15th March 2011
crunchfit says...
I can't say I've seen what you've seen regarding the blogs, etc. so I won't argue that. But what I have seen (both in person and on the internet) does not support what you've suggested.
I watched the interview after the game. He was asked questions directly relating to the incident. How he felt, what he saw, did he feel he Ireland were robbed, etc. The interview kept on trying to get a reaction out of him and BOD didn't give him one. His answers were perfectly fine in my opinion considering he had just been robbed. Calling that whining is quite an exaggeration.
And I was going to reference the handball and how little "whining" there was after it. There was a furore for the few weeks following it understandably, but after there request to be the 33rd member and all that drama was over, it was rarely mentioned (if at all) by the Irish media once the finals started. There was the occasional mention or reference in the letters sections in newspapers when discussing the disgraceful behaviour / performance of the French team during the finals but nothing more. If there was much whining, I'd be aware of it since I live in IRE and follow their media.
Posted 11:51 15th March 2011
sandal says...
Crunchfit
"The Irish fans did not jeer the SA fans after that defeat. They were, as they generally are, gracious in defeat."
I won't argue with you about your experience after the game. I have heard many such stories about how great the Irish are around and after matches and have no reason to disbelieve them. I was writing about the people who contribute to blogs such as this one and to other media. And I thought a lot of Irish were pretty two-faced and despicable (in victory, not in defeat as you seem to think) after that Honiss blunder. But perhaps you have got your matches mixed up.
And doesn't the latest reaction from BOD down remind you of how the Irish whined and whined after France beat them with a hand-ball goal in a playoff for the football world cup, less than two years ago?
Incidentally, I am not South African.
Posted 03:40 15th March 2011
crunchfit says...
sandal
I am a South African who has been living in Ireland for a number of years now and when SA play IRE, I support SA. The Irish fans did not jeer the SA fans after that defeat. They were, as they generally are, gracious in defeat. I ended up having a few pints with my SA friends and a bunch of Irish guys who were very gracious in victory. To be honest, it sounds to me like everyone butthurt about something the Irish team did to theirs is now making pathetic attemps of getting their own back by writing bull...
Posted 13:40 14th March 2011
pentwynfarm says...
I was disgusted to watch Scrum V last night and see everyone laughing and joking about that incident and hearing that moron Mike Phillips saying that "he deserved it". I think the least you can do is admit it was a terrible decision and be slightly "sheepish" about it not celebrate it. That call effectively finished Irelands title challenge and continues Wales's undeserved one.
Posted 11:30 14th March 2011
sandal says...
"Ireland will no doubt be fuming and talking about this one for a good while yet."
Yes, god help us, they will.
And how well I remember their jeers at Boks fans when that team lost to Ireland thanks to a howler by referee Paul Honiss. On that occasion they showed no mercy, no sympathy.
Perhaps Irish fans and players need to be more gracious in defeat and in victory.
Posted 04:59 14th March 2011
crunchfit says...
2006? It's been 5 years man, get over it.
Frankly, if placement was dependent on performance they'd be dead last. But it isn't. I wouldn't mind if Ireland were at the bottom or not. Everything about them has been a joke this year. Coaching, team performances, individual performances, etc. The only consolation an Irish fan can take from this year is that even at their lowest, they still beat Italy, who are in their group for the RWC, and Scotland and only narrowly lost against Wales and France - two high quality teams (yet only one of which had the ability to beat Ireland themselves).
Also, it is great that Italy beat France and you should be proud of that, but there's no need to be cocky / talking down other teams. Italy, at the best they have ever been, beat a lazy, tired and defeated French team and still lost against Ireland with 1) Ireland being playing like crap and being at rock bottom 2) missing key players 3) Italy playing at home and 4) some terrible refereeing against Ireland by Roman Poite (thankfully, and I hate to say this, he injured himself today and will be out for a while).
Posted 21:04 13th March 2011
Carpelone says...
Just come to terms that you are just one drop goal (the one by O'Gara) away from the wooden spoon.
Posted 18:51 13th March 2011
Carpelone says...
@ Crunchfit.
It was in Dublin in 2006, sorry.
Posted 18:45 13th March 2011
crunchfit says...
Whether or not the Irish are currently performing or not, they were good enough to manage a 4 point lead without the assistance / incompetence of the officiators. The Irish defensive line held back the Welsh with ease.
As for the 2007 Ireland / Italy game, Ireland destroyed the Italians. 51 - 24 is quite conclusive. Italy didn't have a chance (in that game). They are flattered by the score line as the Irish switched off after around 60 minutes and let in two easy tries in the last 5 minutes. This game was 50 / 50 and it was given to Wales as a direct result of the failure of the officiators.
And 4 years is also a long time to hold a grudge. I don't remember BOD kicking someone in the head, purposely or otherwise. Was he cited? Surely such a blatant offense would at least warrant a citing.
Unfortunately, this match won't give Kidney the kick in the ass he needs. He may not be able to say "a win is a win" as usual, but he can legitimately say that Peter Allan won the game, single handedly, for Wales. Then again, maybe he won't ever pick Paddy Wallace again. We can hope...
Posted 14:59 13th March 2011
pantreac says...
Firstly, Kidney must go. He does not appear to have a clue about the basics of the game. A Welsh line-out on our line, we put the smallest Irish forward (Best) at the back of the line-out and our No 8 (Heaslip) at 2. We have O'Connell as pack leader and supposedly our main line-out jumper yet he very rarely called a ball to himself, Why? Whilst O'Gara contributed last week he had his worst game for Ireland ever and should have been subbed earlier, in fact never selected. One particular move prior to him being replaced, a threequater movement with O'Gara supposed to loop, a la Sexton, but he just didn't have the speed to collect the return pass and made an almighty cock-up because he just didn't have the pace. As I said last week both the Wallace's should not have been selected and with Leamy, Earls and Stringer (why oh why was he just standing looking at the ball in the back of a ruck instead of passing it, whats the use of having a scrum half with a quick pass if he waits 3 to 5 seconds before he passes?), all should be ommited from the squad, with perhaps D Arcy as sub. O'Connell is not match fit and Cullen should have started. O'Callaghan should not have been subbed he played really well. My Team for the English match:- Duffy, Bowes, Mc Fadden, O'Driscoll, Trimble, Sexton, Boss, Healy, Conin, Ross, O'Callaghan, Cullen, Jennings, O'Brien, Heaslip. Subs:- D Arcy, Humphreys, Reddan, O'Connell, Best, Court, Ruddock.
Posted 14:00 13th March 2011
Ramage says...
Sorry jmangood it may be blah blah blah but surely International rugby deserves better officiating than what was given in this game Peter Allen shows the woeful state of Scottish refereeing which hasnt improved in the 4 years that I have been away. It was very poor then and seems not to have improved. Ireland did deserve better from the officials and although Allen must take some of the blame Kaplan also must wear it as well. Kaplan stood down for two weeks Allen for four. It is time referees are held accountable for decisions, which turn a game.
However the rugby dished up by both sides was dreadful and certainly doesnt go well for these two countries move towards the world cup. Mediocre is what best describes the two teams. The game was slow, with too much wayward kicking and a real snoozefest especially when watching at 2:00 in the morning. Never never again will I arise to watch such a boring spectacle
Posted 09:20 13th March 2011
carpelone says...
@ all the Irish friends here.
The decision could be wrong, but it is the ref decision of one of the best ref in the rugby world.
Ireland had almost 30 minutes to sort things out, and it did not happen.
Just have an objective look at your camp. Ireland thigh five are average (the poorest in the 6 Nations with the Scots, how could you possibly think of matching the Boks at set apiece???), while the back row is outstanding. The back department provides only Bowe, BOD (even though his work rate is descreasing) and maybe Trimble on the other wing. ROG provides a better control of the game but exposes the 10 channel (this why I would have played Sexton first and ROG in the second half yesterday). Kearney is sorely missed in this mix. I felt for Reddan yesterday.
So the decision was wrong, I don't think you lost the game for it. Have a nice glass of Bushmills on it.
If you kept on complaing with the ref, just have a look at the video of Ireland - Italy in 2007 (two tries for the Irish allowed which were not scored, BOD kicking the head of an Italian and not sinbinned, BOD dismissing Dave Pearson's warning), to understand that Ireland was not always on the wrong end (quite the opposite, indeed).
Posted 09:09 13th March 2011
pontysurrey says...
Very poor game. Clearly not a try but best quote of the day from BOD "we try to play to the rules of the game" Hmmm.
Posted 07:55 13th March 2011
Stag says...
What's clear is how few of the posters here have actually pulled on a pair if boots and actually played a match (in any code) themselves. No understanding of the ebb and flow of a contest, the difference between playing away and playing at home and especially how performance is often unrelated to the result. When Ireland won the slam in 09 they weren't playing much better if at all. They did ride their luck though. This year they can't catch a break at all. Goin to Wales is difficult enough without having to beat the officials aswell. Ireland were basically beaten by an old school hometown decision. Kaplan and touch judge need to be stood down. Imagine a world cup final hinging on that decision. Ireland did all you need to do in an away performance but cowardly officiating did for them pure and simple.
Posted 06:28 13th March 2011
CYMRU says...
Tight but poor game. Both teams have lost their attacking shapness. Ireland backrow play more unified when going forward which Wales still need to learn as ball carrier goes to ground too quickly with little support. Try not a try, how Ireland not scored in the last minute heaven knows and ref decisions for both teams confused the hell out of me. England will go on to win Championship and deserve to after what will be a tighter game than expected in Dublin. As for Italy.......... MAGNIFICANT ... and long may their wonderful supporters celebrate.
Posted 03:17 13th March 2011
InternationalXV says...
Mediocrity all around
Posted 00:58 13th March 2011
Mick says...
jaxsonlee: If it's a quickly take line-out it's not close to being straight. Same difference
Posted 21:48 12th March 2011
alanatleeds says...
OK the touch judge cocked up-but how many times does the referee award a penalty at a scrum when the replay shows the opposite? We all have to be mature enough to realise that sometimes life is not fair (e.g. Leeds Carnegie heading for relegation) but life goes on. Am I the only one to think that some of these comments are a bit bitter and twisted and even a bit of sacastic humour is not out of place?
Posted 21:47 12th March 2011