It will just be the second time in the tournament ‘s history that Wales will make the semi finals and after completely dominating their celtic cousins, Wales will fear no-one and in the process have thrown down the gauntlet to the remaining contenders as Sam Warburton and his loyal soldiers march relentlessly to glory.
It was all Wales from the kick off as the men in red exploded out of the blocks. With confidence oozing through their veins, Wales attacked with venom, with forwards and backs combining beautifully.
Jamie Roberts stunned Donncha O’Callaghan with a charge towards the Irish line. Wales quickly set up the ruck and flung the ball right where Leigh Halfpenny put Shane Williams over in the corner. Rhys Priestland slotted over the conversion from the sidelines to ease early nerves and put Wales 7-0 in front.
A dazed Ireland then hit back and camped inside the Wales 22m line, but determined defence held firm. Ronan O’Gara turned down two penalties from close range to go for the line instead. Twice Wales repelled the thrusts.
Wales eased the pressure slightly with Priestland banging the ball downfield but back came Ireland. Again captain Brian O’Drsicoll turned down a shot at goal to go for the five pointer. But O’Gara dropped the ball to relieve the pressure for another opportunity go begging.
After 23mins Ireland finally got on the board after Williams was penalised for not releasing the ball. This time O’Driscoll took the points on offer and O’Gara’s trusty boot did the rest.
Wales refused to deviate from their high tempo game with Ireland struggling to contain the red tide. Eventually Paul O’Connell gave away a penalty at a ruck and Halfpenny knocked over a long range penalty to put Wales 10-3 ahead after 29mins.
Despite dominating possession, Ireland couldn’t find a way through the teak tough Welsh defence as Warburton led his charges superbly through to the break with Wales with their noses in front.
The match was back in the melting pot five minutes after the break. Ireland clicked through the gears as they motored towards the Welsh try-line. A loose pass seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of the move, but Keith Earls picked up the pieces and scooted over in the corner despite Mike Phillips desperate corner flag tackle. Referee Craig Joubert went to the TMO before it was confirmed the try would stand. O’Gara’s excellent touchline conversion levelled the score at 10-10.
Wales’s superior physicality at the collision was beginning to take its toll. Wrecking balls Roberts and North caused untold damage to the green defence and were softening Ireland up. Phillips exploited the chink in the armour expertly to snipe from close range to dive over in the corner to put Wales back in front.
The Irish were clearly at breaking point and Jonathan Davies made the pressure pay when he surged between prop Cian Healy and Earls to canter over for Wales’s third try.
In what was turning out to be the best game of the tournament in a pulsating contest, Ireland bombarded the Welsh try-line but once again heroic defence kept the men in green at bay.
Ireland threw everything at Wales but the defence was impregnable. To a man Wales tackled themselves to a standstill as Ireland’s hopes crumbled. The Welsh young guns continued to fire all the shots as they peppered Ireland with huge defence. The gun-shy Irish finished the game dead on their feet as Wales held out for a memorable victory.
Scorers: Wales Tries: S Williams, Phillips, Davies; Cons: Priestland (2); Pen: Halfpenny
Ireland: Try: Earls; Con: O’Gara; Pen: O’Gara
