2023-09-24 02:46:45
By winning against South Africa (13-8), the XV du Clover took a big step forward in qualifying and confirmed that it is a very serious contender for final victory.
The appointment is made. By dominating South Africa in a high-intensity match (13-8), the Irish made it known that they had the firm intention of returning to Stade France every weekend in October, and especially lift the trophy there on the 28th. Mathematically, nothing is done, but the path to the quarter-finals is clear. It would take a defeat of more than 7 points against Scotland on October 7 to prevent Ireland from entering their fourth consecutive World Cup final phase. And honestly, after tonight’s victory (the 16th in a row!), it’s hard to believe it.
However, the Irish, world number 1, were not perfect, far from it. Many bad choices punctuated their start to the match. Out of overconfidence, or perhaps out of arrogance, the XV of clubs refused to attempt the first penalty even though it was within the ropes of its pyrotechnician and captain Jonathan Sexton. They lose the ball in stride. They repeated the same mistake a few minutes later, and made a series of sterile penaltouches, even though they had the opportunity to open the score. In the space of 20 minutes, they lost no less than four balls in touch! “This is the quality of the Springboks. reacted the clover coach, Andy Farrell, when asked about the subject at a press conference.
“It’s a perfect match”
We had to wait until the 33rd minute to see the Irish unlock their counter. After a long period of barren South African domination, the Irish regained the lead through their three-quarter center Bundee Akhi, who excelled throughout the match. They manage to put the Boks at fault and score a try after yet another penalty.
Access the slideshow (14)
The two teams return to the locker room with a score of 3 to 7 for Ireland. On the way back, the South Africans returned to the pitch with big intentions. In particular, they are bringing in their XXL bench. Following a penalty from Faf de Klerk which hit the right post of the Irish poles, they pushed the Irish into a mistake then scored through Cheslin Kolbe (50′) after having penetrated the green scrum. Libbok lets two points slip by missing the transformation (8-7). We think that the match will change, but the Irish are remobilizing and the impact of the substitutes will tip the scales in their favor. While in his coaching duel, Andy Farrell had made a much more classic choice against his opponent, with a bench with 3 three quarters. Proof of this is, despite being dominated in the scrum, the Irish forwards obtain two decisive penalties.
“The resilience has been remarkable, explains the Irish coach. The substitutes had a huge impact, they brought a lot of energy. They entered the competition well with the group. I really enjoyed the whole match, everything that was done, the circulation of the ball, the way we managed to maintain the score. It’s a perfect match. During the second half we kept the score. In the end, they missed penalties at crucial moments. This contributed to our performance.”
Impeccable in the ground game, the Irish thwarted the Springboks who, penalized far too much in the rucks, had to play against nature by spreading the balls excessively. At the very end of the match, while South Africa appeared threatening with a group penetrating the Irish goal line, Jonathan Sexton’s partners were able to show immense solidarity and hold the score.
Confidence in his game plan seems unshakeable
What can happen to this team now, as confidence in their game plan seems unshakeable? At the end of the match, the players remained for many minutes communing with an audience totally committed to their cause. It must be said that the Irish almost played at home and all these beautiful people seemed certain of the final outcome of this World Cup… If logic is respected, the XV of Clover should face the All Blacks in the quarterfinals on October 14 , in Saint Denis. New Zealanders defeated by the French in the opening match, defeated by the Irish at the same stage of the competition 4 years ago… but who remain on five defeats in their last eight confrontations.
A deadline that the players or even the staff refuse to address… They all swear to concentrate only on the next match in two weeks, against Scotland, 5th nation in the world and which should play its qualification in this meeting. “A tough team to face,” in the words of Andy Farrell, but who has not beaten the Irish since 2017, during a Six Nations Tournament match at Murrayfield… Otherwise, all the lights are green… The only black spot in sight, the Irish have never made it past the quarter-final stage!
#Ireland #assumes #status #huge #favorite