I'm not sure that my report would be very coherent. Started at Welly's only Welsh bar at 1.00 and visited 4 Irish bars on the way to the Stadium.
Thought that Wales defended very well and were the better team in the second half but I thought that Ireland dominated the first half and was a bit puzzled why they didn't kick for goal with three very kickable penalties. Seemed a bit naive. Ireland would also be a bit disappointed with the second half tries conceded. They were both a bit "soft". Sean O' Brien didn't feature as much as I thought which is testament to the Welsh fowards.
Loved seeing the Poms get tipped up
Even in your lubricated state, I think you managed to hit almost every nail on the head there Hamish.
Wales got nearly everything right on the day. They mugged an off the pace Ireland in the opening minutes of the game. They chop-tackled Ireland's big carriers with a ferocity and physicality that not only neutralised a major part of Ireland's game... but which also left Ireland somewhat punch drunk and battered as the 2nd half developed. And then they somehow pulled out tries when they needed them at 10-10. In two years I've not seen Ireland concede 2 touchdowns as soft as those two 2nd half ones.
Ireland for their part, paid the price for opting to go with the predictable and more negative O'Gara kicking game. He's a legend and a hero but I just don't think he was the right option. (Admittedly it was Sexton's kicking that drew those questions upon himself.) In any case, the welsh had the touchlines easily covered and very quickly negated ROG's main gameplan. (Just as they did some 7 months ago). Then they piled the pressure down his channel with Roberts et al and whenever ROG even looked like taking the ball into contact (which was increasingly rare from the first 15 mins on). That left us in the extraordinary position of playing Sexton's game with ROG on the pitch. And we ended up with little or no threat/options in midfield to take the ball over the line when we had them pinned in their 22. It was all around the fringes or then immediately out wide... with no direction change at all. As you said, god knows what possessed ROG to turn down those penalties (when surely that was why he was on the pitch in the first place?).
Finally when we could have most done with ROG on the pitch (for the final 20-30 mins at 15-10 down)... we switch him off for the less experienced Sexton who could only inject an even more demanding running game. Just not a great strategy for me. Gatland and Wales won that all over the pitch.
Good luck to wales against those crazy frenchies!
