British & Irish Lions
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Ireland 12 – 16 Wales
Shane Williams skill showed on the day, as Wales powered to a deserved victory over Ireland in what had been billed as match of the tournament- but never managed to reach the boiling point of expectation.
Initial Reactions are on the money when they say it was a deserved win by the in form Welsh, the mind games and build up to this clash were amazing – but it failed to deliver somewhat.
In the early stages, O’Gara rejected a chance to kick at goal, drifing for touch and the line-out, the resulting three minute fray camped in the Wales half resulted in a penalty for Ireland – which O’Gara slotted home.
Ireland began to over-stretch themselves in an effort to stamp their superiority a failing that saw Rob Kearney scrambling to clean up a Mark Taylor chip. John Hayes failed to bind a scrum and under the pressure Stephen Jones cause Wales first missed penalty of the tournament.
O’Gara on fine form punished a Welsh infringement finding touch as it hit the corner flag – it doesn’t get much closer that that.
In the 23rd minute Shane Horgan danced past two defenders and headed for the line, last man Mike Philips forced him to drop the ball just before the line and the TV match official spotted it. This was a turning point.
Stephen Jones found his mark with a penalty to start the onslaught, as superb handling and offloads began. Ireland stood their ground against wave after wave of ball in hand Wales. Ryan Jones powering through from the base of the scrum almost did it. Ireland infringed offering Wales an easy 3 pointer, only for Mike Philips to drop a knee on Marcus Horan – the linesman spotted it and Wales were down to 14 men and without their penalty.
HT: Ireland 6 – 3 Wales
The half time team talk must have contained P45′s the way Wales came out!
Six minutes into the second half and Stephen Jones found the mark again, a huge kick from Henson continued to rack up the pressure.
Ireland were always going to struggle to hold on now as Shane Williams danced around Trimble and Kearney to score a thoroughly deserved try.
There was on glimmer of hope as Jamie Heaslip surged into space, only for Martin Williams to trip Eoin Reddan and make his way to the sin bin. O’Gara’s penalty reduced it to 13-9, before adding a fourth to setup a massive finish.
O’Driscoll had to let his injury take over in the 71st minute as he limped up the right flank trying to run off the injury to his right leg, and was replaced by Luke Fitzgerald.
Hook then landed a long-range penalty to seal the game and the Welsh Triple Crown.