Ireland suffers disappointment once more in a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
PARIS, France (AP) – This was the Ireland team that would go all the way in the Rugby World Cup.
Instead, the Irish were knocked out in another quarterfinal on Saturday, this time by an underdog New Zealand team that put up the extraordinary effort required to have a chance.
Ireland had everything working in its favor.
Confidence and momentum after an imposing 17-test winning streak that began more than a year ago with two historic victories in New Zealand.
A link formed by a strong core of Leinster players, led by the legendary Jonathan Sexton and coached by the inspirational Andy Farrell.
A Six Nations Grand Slam followed by excellent pool victory in France against then-No. 2-ranked South Africa and No. 5-ranked Scotland.
The tens of thousands of Irish fans who flocked to the French stadiums in earnest anticipation of history in the making.
Ireland embraced hardship and prepared for every scenario except, on Saturday, for an All Blacks team that would relive the 2015 Rugby World Cup victory.
By the time Ireland warmed up, the All Blacks were ahead 13-0. Ireland fought back with tries by New Zealand-born backs Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park plus a penalty try to close within one point with 14 minutes to go.
They had 20 minutes with a man advantage and chances. But a cross-field kick for Dan Sheehan bounced over his head, Sexton narrowly missed a penalty kick at 23-17 down, and Ronan Kelleher was driven over in a maul but held up with nine minutes to go. In one last crack, they moved the ball through 37 phases to within 10 meters of the All Blacks tryline when they were penalized for not releasing, bring their hopes to a crushing end.
They never led, and Ireland lost an eighth quarterfinal in 10 Rugby World Cups. It has never been to the semifinals.
“You always think of missed opportunities but they threw everything they had at the All Blacks and they were just repelled,” former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll said. “They came up against a team of possessed men with a point to prove.
“It’s the case with every Ireland team that goes to a World Cup — you need a big slice of luck. But it feels like, gosh, when will we ever have a better chance of getting to a semifinal or a final? With what this team’s done and the rugby they played and the momentum they built, its such a deflator.”
At the conclusion, the Irish were in tears.
At the final whistle, the powerful Sexton shook his head, unable to believe that his 118th Irish test was his last. Keith Earls, who did not play, and he were both retiring. Sexton was overcome with emotion on the pitch until he was joined by his kid.
“You’ve got to work hard for fairytale endings and we didn’t get it but that’s life,” he went on to say. “We left no stone unturned, we ticked every box, trained the house down, and played pretty well tonight.”
Farrell, who took over after the 2019 World Cup from Joe Schmidt, who was assisting New Zealand at Stade de France, led the team to great success.
“Sport can be cruel at times,” added Farrell. “But I’m extremely proud of the group, and how they’ve handled themselves not just today, but over the last few years.” I have no doubt that the talent that we have in Ireland will continue to come through and challenge.”
8th replacement Jack Conan, who was only 31 years old, was certain to continue the challenge.
“We were full of belief,” he remarked. “We thought we’d be the team to finally make it past the quarterfinals.” We were disappointed that we couldn’t pull it off, but neither the players nor the coaching staff gave it their all. It’s not like past years when we weren’t even considered. We fought till the last end, but it was not to be.”
