Irish Thrash Samoa In Boilover Rugby League World Cup 2008

[Jezstarr 0]

Irish thrash Samoa in boilover

 

 

November 05, 2008

 

INSPIRED by a record-breaking performance from winger Pat Richards, Ireland caused a major boilover at the rugby league World Cup with a 34-16 win over Samoa to advance to a semi-final qualifier.

 

Needing to win by five points to finish top of the pool, underdogs Ireland unbelievably bolted to a 14-0 lead at Parramatta Stadium, despite taking a defensive pummeling in the first 10 minutes.

 

Samoa got back to within two points late in the first half before Ireland scored the next 16 points to blow the Pacific island side out of the water.

 

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Richards haul of 22 points from three tries and five goals was the most in a World Cup match for Ireland, eclipsing Steve Prescott's bag of 14 against Samoa eight years ago.

 

It could have been an even bigger night for the former Wests Tigers premiership winner who missed with five of his ten kicks at goal.

 

But that was about all that went right for Samoa, who won their opening game against Tonga and were favourites to make it out of pool 3.

 

Instead they finished bottom of the pool courtesy of points differential.

 

Samoa pounded the Ireland line for the first ten minutes, but had two potential tries to skipper and five-eighth Nigel Vagana and hooker Terrence Seuseu rubbed out by video referee Steve Ganson.

 

Trailing 22-12 midway through the second half, they lost talisman Vagana to injury and then had forward David Solomona placed on report by the French referee for elbowing centre Sean Gleeson.

 

After surviving the early onslaught, Ireland piled on three tries in seven minutes with Richards using his 23cm height advantage to leap over for the first over opposing winger Matt Utai before four-pointers to lock Simon Finnigan and centre Sean Gleeson.

 

Shellshocked Samoa hit back with Vagana capitalising on a spilt ball by Ireland full-back Michael Platt before Misi Taulapapa burrowed over from dummy half.

 

Richards scored his second try three minutes into the second half when he cut inside and beat three defenders, the two sides then trading tries before the hulking winger completed his hat-trick inside the last two minutes.

 

Ireland coach Andy Kelly was proud of his team's performance, though he felt they still had room for improvement.

 

"I think we learnt the lesson from the Tongan game and tonight we came out a little bit stronger and a little bit wiser," Kelly said.

 

"It was a smashing effort."

 

Richards, a former Parramatta Junior, who was back on his old home ground, relished the opportunity to be part of Ireland's World Cup journey, but stressed it was a different experience to the Tiger's premiership-winning run.

 

"It is a totally different competition, I've never played for Ireland before, but I'm really enjoying it," Richards said.

 

"Being part of the squad is very special. We're very tight knit and that helped."

 

Samoa coach John Ackland said while the short five-day turnaround for his team after the much-anticipated clash with Tonga could have been a factor, they had known about that prior to the tournament.

 

He rued the series of lost scoring opportunities, but paid generous credit to Ireland's gritty defence.

 

"They defended their tryline terrific, three or four last-ditch tackles, full credit to them," Ackland said.

 

"We got into their 20 and we had numbers and didn't take advantage," he said.

 

Ackland said Vagana was feeling "pretty sore" after being helped off the ground.

 

 

 

AAP

SOURCE: FOXSPORTS.COM.AU

 

Yet another Rugby League World Cup update from me. I though Scotland beating Fiji was pretty intense but holy crap! Ireland beating Samoa is massive, and great I guess although it kinda screws around my Samoa best Australia theory. I thought Fiji had a chance to beat Australia and they do still I guess.

 

Although this world cup has been one-sided as in AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA just hammering everyone I think a lot of positives has come out of it, such as as Scotland, Ireland and the Fiji. Ireland also will advance to the semi-finals so good luck to them.

[joeblogg 0]

Although this world cup has been one-sided as in AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA just hammering everyone

yes it has been pretty much one sided with australia smashing all its enemies. even though rugby league is my favorite sport to watch the rugby union world cup is a lot more interesting. australia has won the last 6 rugby league world cups and will probably win numerous more.

but tonights match of Australia vs Fiji should prove to be interesting. Fiji is definately going to be putting up a good fight in this match. Ireland is doing better than i expected. I didn't know they played much rugby league over in Ireland.

Tonights match should be a good match to watch. i'm excited.