Ireland see off Wales in Dublin thriller to stay perfect
Jacob Stockdale scored two tries as Ireland maintained their perfect Six Nations record with a tense, record-equalling 37-27 bonus-point win at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Joe Schmidt’s men matched the Ireland record of 10 consecutive Test victories, spoiling Warren Gatland’s 100th game in charge of Wales and all but ending their hopes of winning the title.
Injury-hit Ireland outscored their opponents by five tries to three in Dublin, Stockdale going over early on and Bundee Aki crossing on the stroke of half-time after a Gareth Davies try and the boot of the fit-again Leigh Halfpenny had edged Wales in front.
Dan Leavy and Cian Healy touched down as Wales were outmuscled by the rampant Ireland forwards, but Wales were back in it midway through the second half courtesy of an Aaron Shingler try, which was superbly converted by Halfpenny.
Steff Evans set up a tense finale with a third Wales try in the closing stages following a three-pointer from Conor Murray, who took over kicking duties after Jonathan Sexton missed two penalties and as many conversion attempts on an off day for the fly-half.
Stockdale sealed it with a breakaway try right at the end in a dramatic climax to a pulsating encounter as Ireland made it three wins out of three in the tournament.
Full Time score – IRELAND 37-27 Wales #ShoulderToShoulder #TeamOfUs #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/evHeGjhdl5
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2018
Jacob Stockdale speaks to RugbyPass about being the Six Nations top tryscorer
Halfpenny marked his return by sending a penalty through the posts just two minutes in and Sexton missed an opportunity to level from the tee soon after when he struck a post, but made amends by playing a key role in an early Ireland try.
The fly-half took a pass from Murray and whipped a sumptuous ball out to Stockdale, who claimed a seventh try in as many Tests with a simple finish in the left corner with seven minutes on the clock.
Sexton failed to convert and uncharacteristically missed another straightforward penalty before Wales scored their first try from out of the blue, the nippy Davies changing direction sharply and darting through a gap to go over following a strong run from Shingler midway through the first half.
Halfpenny added the extras and was on target with a penalty as Wales’ kicking game worked a treat, but Sexton got off the mark from close range and converted to edge his side in front at 15-13 after Aki reached out to dot down when the Ireland forwards applied immense pressure.
Ireland carried on where they left off early in the second half, Leavy powering his way over and Healy also touching down from close range following a turnover at the lineout.
Sexton was unable to convert both scores but Ireland looked to be in control with Chris Farrell outstanding on his Six Nations debut until Evans scooted away down the right and Shingler was on hand to score a second Wales try, which Halfpenny converted superbly.
Gatland’s men were not finished yet, though, Scott Williams and Josh Navidi combining before Evans was given the opportunity to run in for a third Wales try, which the reliable Halfpenny converted to make it a three-point game with three minutes to play.
But there was huge relief for the vast majority of a partisan crowd when the rapid Stockdale plucked a stray pass to race away and go under the posts, Joey Carbery converting right at the end of a breathless encounter.
Warren Gatland issues rare apology after Wales defeat
Joe Schmidt gets defensive over Johnny Sexton performance
Comments on RugbyPass
Fellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to comments