Ireland didn’t appear to appreciate the space available to them in the first 20 minutes of their 27-12 Six Nations win over Wales, perhaps too preoccupied by taking contact when there were numbers in the wider channels.
This was especially noticeable when Welsh outhalf Stephen Jones kicked long; the visitors chase was pedestrian and there were times when the counter-attack was on but the Irish mindset was conspicuously conservative.
Ireland got in behind Wales on three or four occasions but initially the Irish player in possession failed to spot a team-mate running a clever supporting line. Both Earls and Sexton would have been clear if the pass had been made.
The home side deserve credit for their offloading game, which was far more prevalent than in any other match in the tournament so far.
It was certainly a feature in Ireland’s second try, with Paul O’Connell breaking from a maul and releasing the supporting O’Leary immediately. Wales didn’t have the chance to regroup and the Irish scrumhalf showed great acceleration and power to score a fine try.
By putting pace on the game in this manner, Ireland forced Wales to scramble furiously and it could have led to even more lucrative rewards.
O’Leary’s shrewd quick tap underlined the value of vision and good decision making and was responsible for Ireland’s first try, neatly finished by the excellent Earls.
Wales’ wish to play a territorial game was undermined by Ireland’s dominance out of touch. It was late in the first half before the visitors cottoned on to the fact that they needed to retain possession. Jones and Lee Byrne recalibrated the kicking going for length initially and then contesting bombs.
Referee Craig Joubert’s Super 14 style interpretation of the tackle area was causing Ireland serious problems. It’s irrelevant, in the sense that he is the sole arbiter of fact on the pitch, whether he was right or wrong. Ireland didn’t adapt and were left to rue several instances where they turned over possession with a penalty.
They certainly tried his patience and the Irish transgressions were keeping Wales in the game. It’s the first time that this facet of the game has been interpreted in this manner in this season’s Six Nations.
The South African’s decision to sin bin Byrne appeared a little harsh – his offence took place in the Irish 22 – but it proved a calamitous transgression for the Welsh as Ireland’s two first half tries came when he was off the pitch.
Sexton’s rhythm in terms of his place-kicking was a little out of kilter and it contributed to a couple of ugly strikes. To his credit he didn’t let in affect the rest of his game. He was a threat on the gain-line and distributed intelligently.
The home side were very aggressive at the breakdown and this led to several important turnovers. One area of concern for Ireland was the yardage Jamie Roberts was making. Gordon D’Arcy’s early injury and the reshuffle probably compromised the innate understanding usually apparent in the defending of the inside three.
There were key moments early in the second half - Ireland’s superb scrum near their own line that turned over possession and the pinching of possession twice at ruck-time when Wales looked to have established some momentum.
Ireland’s facility to score off first phase was graphically illustrated by Earls’s second try. O’Leary’s superb loop around O’Driscoll, his acceleration through the gap and beautifully timed and weighted pass to Earls allowed the latter to just ride Shane Williams’s despairing tackle to score in the corner.
The Welsh were dominating the possession stakes but they were carrying into contact in ones and twos and then having to commit too many numbers to try and clear-out. It lacked dynamism and suited the home side.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney must have been tempted to freshen the team, especially the pack as the home side had to do so much defending and with 10 minutes left several players looked understandably leg weary. Irish players inevitably came up with the big plays; centurion O’Driscoll putting in one thunderous hit on Roberts.
It was largely an excellent team performance with hearty contributions all round but it would be wrong not to single out two exceptional displays: O’Leary and Earls with Rory Best not far behind in what was a superb effort from the pack.
They bossed their counterparts in most facets of play with a lung bursting enthusiasm and Ireland were worthy winners.
