Halfpenny the hero as Wales leave it late

Ireland 21-23 Wales

By Neil Treacy

Wayne Barnes found himself at the centre of attention as Wales made a dramatic late comeback to defeat Ireland in an opening round classic at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland lead 21-15 approaching the final five minutes before George North’s try and a last minute Halfpenny penalty gave Wales the win.

Barnes found himself in the eye of the hurricane when he chose to yellow card Bradley Davies for an off the ball spear tackle on Donncha Ryan, and thne controversially judged Stephen Ferris to have committed a similar offense, giving Halfpenny the chance to win the game.

Ireland started with good early phases, and a succession of quick penalties gave Sexton an early chance from 40m which he put between the posts to give Ireland a second minute lead.

It was as close to goal as Ireland would get for quite some time though. The early exchanges were tight and physical, with Wales establishing an early territorial edge.

A line-out straight from the Welsh playbook set up an early try opportunity, as Huw Bennett and Bradley Davies combined to break deep into the 22.

Minutes later after continuing pressure, Ryan Jones was judged to have been held up by O’Callaghan and Rory Best by the TMO.

Wales continued their territorial dominance, and on 13 minutes deservingly went in front when Jonathan Davies went over in the corner. Tommy Bowe and Mike Ross were helpless as Rhys Priestland’s stunning offload found Davies, who touched down one-handed, despite the last ditch efforts of Gordon D’Arcy. Priestland kick couldn’t match his offload, crashing off the far post to leave his side just two ahead.

His kicking woes continued just minutes later after Sean O’Brien infringed at the breakdown, pulling the resulting kick wide from just 22 metres out.

Priestland’s troubles with the tee looked to be the catalyst Ireland needed, as they launched a series of counter attacks. Paul O’Connell stole two line-outs, Rob Kearney launched a stunning catch with courageous catch, and Murray’s chase from a Bowe kick gave Sexton the chance to put Ireland back in front with a penalty.

The kick from 35m was just pushed wide, but with Wales starting to relent, Ireland launched attack after attack.

Their pressure paid off as impressive carrying from Heaslip brought Ireland into the Welsh 22. Sexton sent the ball wide to the overlap, and after Tommy Bowe found the gap in the line, the wing fed Rory Best to touch down unopposed.

Sexton made no mistake with the extras, pushing his side into an unreflective, yet well earned, 10-5 lead at the break.

Warren Gatland made two changes at the break, as Sam Warburton cried off with a dead leg and was replaced by Justin Tipuric. James Hook was also introduced in the place of Alex Cuthbert.

Ireland began the half as they ended the first, with Heaslip again impressing with a turnover. And when some excellent Mike Ross scrimmaging forced Wales into a collapse, Sexton extended the lead to 13-5 with a kick from close to the left touchline.

The game became scrappy, and Wales were given the chance to hit back instantly on 47 minutes with a penalty from 40m, but the out of sorts fly half could only shank his third kick wide.

Five minutes later, Fergus McFadden infringed at the ruck, allowing Halfpenny to take control of the kicking duties, reducing the gap to five.

And just two minutes later, Wales emphatically took the lead. Tommy Bowe’s sloppy hands gave possession to the Welsh with a line-out on the 22.

George North evaded D’Arcy and bounced the tackle of McFadden before popping a stunning offload to Jonathan Davies, who ran in under the posts, giving Halfpenny the easiest of opportunities to send Wales into a 13-15 lead.

Another stunning take from Rob Kearney sent Ireland back on the attack, and they re-took the lead with a penalty from the left touchline, an impressive response after the quick Welsh flurry.

On 64 minutes, Wayne Barnes found himself at the centre of attention when Bradley Davies dangerously tackled substitute Donncha Ryan off the ball. On the advice of his touch judge, Dave Pearson, Davies was sent to the bin.

Wales defensive troubles when a man down repeated themselves again, and within minutes Ireland touched down in the corner.

Smelling blood, the Irish forwards took line after line through the Welsh defence, before a quick change of direction from Sexton found Kearney, whose long pass was finished by Bowe in the far right corner. Sexton failed with his difficult conversion attempt, but his side were now looking good for their
21-15 lead, with just 10 minutes left.

Sexton had the chance to put Ireland out of sight and kill some time, when Heaslip won a penalty just beyond the half way mark, but his kick drifted to the right.

It proved to be a crucial moment, as the power of George North was too much for Tommy Bowe, and after consultation with the TMO, the try was awarded.

Ireland looked to have escaped when Halfpenny’s touchline kick was unsuccessful, but he was controversially given the chance to atone within two minutes.

Ferris was yellow-carded after being judged to have spear tackled Ian Evans, and Halfpenny held his nerve from 40m to clinch a dramatic victory.

Ireland: R. Kearney, Bowe, McFadden, D'Arcy, Trimble, Sexton, Murray, Healy, Best, Ross, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip.
Replacements: Cronin, Court, Ryan, O'Mahony, Reddan, O'Gara, D. Kearney.

Wales: Halfpenny, Cuthbert, J. Davies, Roberts, North, Priestland, Phillips, Gill, Bennett, A. Jones, B. Davies, Evans, R. Jones, Warburton, Faletau.
Replacements: Owens, James, Powell, Tipuric, L. Williams, Hook, S. Williams.

It was North who scored the last try

It's unfair to say Wayne barnes 'chose' to yellow-card Bradley Davies. He didn't see the incident and went with the recommendation of Dave Pearson. I'd say it's Pearson who has more to answer for.