Rugby News - Ireland light up the World Cup as they beat the Aussies
Last updated 9/19/2011 2:52:09 PM
Rugby News - Ireland light up the World Cup as they beat the Aussies
Thank goodness for the fighting Irish. They woke up the World Cup in New Zealand with the first and only upset of the competition so far when they beat Australia 15-6 at Eden Park.
It was all down to experience as the oldest squad in the tournament overcame the youngest.
After their poor build up to the competition the Irish loved the rain and the heavy conditions as their forwards swamped the disappointed and inexperienced Aussies to put themselves on the brink of qualification for the quarter finals.
Irish flanker Stephen Ferris, one of the stars of this huge upset, says there is plenty more to come from Ireland after their stunning Pool C win over Australia.
"We didn't peak against Australia - there's definitely a lot more attacking ability to come from us," said Ferris.
"This wasn't a one-off performance, we knew this was brewing and we're glad it happened against Australia. We'll be targeting a big win over Russia now."
"Then we want a big win over Italy the weekend after that."
Ireland's greatest World Cup win and their first against Tri-Nations opposition in the competition indicate that they are capable of making a genuine impact in New Zealand.
Ferris went on to say: "If we keep playing like we did against Australia, hopefully we'll be able to maintain this and go further in the tournament.
"We're still taking it game by game - we said at the start of the World Cup we just want to get out of the group.
"Our performance against Australia has put us in a good position."
Ferris, back in action after a serious knee injury, was responsible for the highlight of the match towards the end of the first half when he grabbed Will Genia at the back of yet another crumbling Wallaby scrum and carried him 10 yards.
The hunger of Ireland's pack was evident as they piled in behind the Ulster hardman, rattling Australia with Sean O'Brien, the marauding Munsterman Paul O'Connell, man of the match Cian Healy and tighthead Mike Ross.
Ferris revealed the inspiration for victory came from senior players such as O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll, who are playing in their final World Cup.
"You look at them in the changing room before a match and you see how much it means to them," he said.
The World Cup may still only be in the pool stages, but the Irish victory has thrown up the prospect of a final between one of the Six Nations and one of the Tri Nations in the October 23 showpiece.