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PARIS – Ireland is through to the quarter-finals. Were they ever in any danger? Mathematically it was possible, but rugby isn’t a game of maths.
Rugby is a game of movement, running lines, accuracy and speed at the breakdown, a rock solid defence with spacing and ruck pressure, set-piece precision and kicking smarts. Unlike Australia’s World Cup campaign, Ireland has it all. Their game finetuned over years, not months.
The scoreboard and all the relevant statistics revealed the story on Saturday evening as Ireland sealed an emphatic 36-14 victory over their Six Nations rivals Scotland to finish on top spot of Pool B and set up a dream quarter-final clash against the All Blacks next Saturday (Sunday, 6am AEDT). Host nation France meanwhile will take on the reigning world champions South Africa a day later (Monday, 6am AEDT).
It means the best four nations in the world, at least from a rankings perspective, have made the quarter-finals. Only two will go through to the last four.
“I think New Zealand are a fantastic side and for little old Ireland to be talked about in the same bracket shows how far we have come as a playing nation,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said.
“But the respect we have for New Zealand is through the roof. The form they have right now is top drawer and, as Johnny [Sexton] said before, I’m sure they will be relishing this fixture to try and put a few things right. It’s as tough as it gets, two weeks ago it was a tough game [against South Africa] and this one was knock-out rugby.
“It gets a whole lot tougher next week against the All Blacks and hopefully they will have to be at their best to beat us as well.”
Ireland celebrate after Hugo Keenan scored against Scotland at the Stade de France in Paris. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Yet, Farrell will be sweating over the fitness of former Brumbies and Australian under-20s star Mack Hansen, who was initially forced off for a Head Injury Assessment before his evening ended shortly after he returned because of a possible calf injury.
Despite having Keith Earls and Jimmy O’Brien up their sleeves, it will leave Ireland nervous because Hansen has quickly emerged as one of Farrell’s key men since joining Connacht after the Covid pandemic.
Already Robbie Henshaw – the brilliant centre – is set to miss the rest of the campaign after an injury throughout the week at training. Second-row James Ryan is also in doubt after suffering a knock to his wrist, while James Lowe copped a knock to the eye, coach Andy Farrell confirmed.
Hansen’s work-rate ahead of Lowe’s opening try of the evening in the second minute revealed it all, as he made his way from one wing to the middle of the field to support Garry Ringrose’s ball.
While Scotland enjoyed much of the early running, they could do little with it. Despite Finn Russell’s willingness to play with width, his side failed to get any real ascendency against a hungry Irish side.
In stark contrast, every movement of Ireland’s was delivered with such breathtaking mastery as Johnny Sexton played as if he was a conductor of an orchestra.
So commanding was his performance, and how important he is in Ireland’s quest to not just rid their quarter-final demons but win the World Cup, he was able to come off after 45 minutes. At the time, Ireland led 31-0.
“We just needed to narrow the focus and say we are here to win the game and put in a performance to do that,” Sexton said.
“Very happy with the lads and we’re exactly where we want to be now. We won the pool and we are into the quarter-final. We always knew we would most likely play France or New Zealand. There’s no easy option there and we have New Zealand.
“It’ll be a very tough game and I see they have been talking about revenge already. It’ll be a game they want and we need to be ready for it.”
Much like in 2015 when the Wallabies were popular and they made Twickenham a home away from home on their way to the World Cup final, Ireland is doing the same with the Stade de France.
Peter O’Mahony clashes with George Turner, Matt Fagerson and Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland during Ireland’s big win at the Stade de France on October 07, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A fortnight ago the Olympic Stadium was a stadium of green during their takedown of South Africa. You would have hardly known that they were taking on a different nation on Saturday, as the 78,459 fans that showed up once again resembled a green coliseum.
Ireland will need every bit of that colour in a week’s time when they take on the All Blacks, as they attempt to end their wretched run of early World Cup exits.
They have form on their side.
Not since July 2022 have Ireland lost, with their last defeat coming against the All Blacks at Eden Park on July 2. The defeat was Ireland’s only one in New Zealand, as they came from behind to seal a remarkable 2-1 series victory in the Shaky Isles.
Since then, Ireland has gone onto win 17 straight. Victory over the All Blacks next weekend will see them equal New Zealand and England’s world record of 18 straight Tests. It will be their greatest Test win if they can triumph in Paris.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend tipped his hat to Ireland, saying they were “very impressive” and could “dominate the world for the next five to 10 years” despite acknowledging the continual threats of France, South Africa and New Zealand.
Ireland, for now, will just want to dominate the next three weeks.
As Peter O’Mahony inspired Ireland’s scintillating first half where they raced out to a 26-0 lead, nothing went right for Scotland.
Within 20 minutes they had lost their fullback Blair Kinghorn, who had boldly declared ahead of the fixture they would snap their run against Ireland, to a HIA. He was joined on the sidelines shortly after by captain Jamie Ritchie, who was wearing a sling when he spoke to the media following the match.
Jamie Ritchie reacts after leaving the field at Stade de France on October 07, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Scotland needed to strike early and strike hard. They did neither, as Ireland pushed Scotland back in defence and cut them to pieces like a knife through butter in attack.
After Lowe’s early try, Scotland couldn’t turn pressure into points. Adding to the frustration, they turned down shots at goal to try and get seven. They left with nothing.
Soon after it was Ireland back on the attack, as O’Mahony nearly sent Hansen over.
His fumble didn’t matter, as another subline line from Bundee Aki had Ringrose running off his shoulder and the centre put his excellent fullback Hugo Keenan over to score.
Lock Iain Henderson had Ireland’s third after 32 minutes, before Keegan’s second just before half time saw Ireland open up a 26-0 half-time lead.
They didn’t slow down after half-time, as Dan Sheenan scored moments after Scotland’s replacement fullback Ollie Smith put his foot in it by attempting a trip on Sexton. The moment made him Paris’ ultimate villain, and earned him 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Ringrose’s try just before the hour-mark continued Ireland’s rout, before Scotland hit back through tries to Ewan Ashman and Ali Price.
But for all Scotland’s desire, they were a clear second best as Zombie rang out loud.
“First things first, we will enjoy tonight because it was a big week for us. It was a big game for us as Scotland are a great team. We paid them the respect they deserve and that is why we came out with a performance like we did in the first half. The wives and girlfriends and families are over and we will make sure we enjoy that,” Farrell said.
“I’m sure once we have recovered properly with a spring in our step, if you can’t get excited about what is coming, this is proper living now. This is exactly where you want to be and these boys have been waiting for opportunities and big games to show what they have learned for a while now. It doesn’t get any bigger than next week and we will relish that.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.