SEMI-FINAL QUALIFER: Ireland 14-30 Fiji (result)
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1044: Well, that's that. Shame, the Irish played some quality football in this tournament, but when you miss 43 tackles in the second half alone, especially against dynamic and scintillating runners in the Fijian backline, you're asking for trouble. Well, that's it for me until the semi-finals, I'll be back for England's semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday. "The Irish have done well in their group to get to the play off stages. The thing that you have to ask yourself if Ireland was in a group with Either England, Australia or New Zeland do you honestly think that they would have a chance of getting into the semis? the way that the group stages have been set up is fair and gives other teams a fighting chance to qualify instead of getting the 1st flight home after the groups."
craig_lyon on 606
Discuss the action on 606 "Fiji have controlled this game superbly."
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan on Five Live Sports Extra FULL-TIME: IRELAND 14-30 FIJI 78 mins: TRY IRELAND 14-30 FIJI
A handling error from the kick-off hands Ireland possession on the 20m line, from where Scott Grix feeds Damien Blanch for his fifth try of the tournament to give the Wolfhounds a decent send off, although Pat Richards makes a right pig's ear of the conversion. 75 mins: TRY IRELAND 10-30 FIJI
Lovely early pass from Wes Naiqama at first receiver inside the 10m line feeds Akuila Uate on the right wing and the Newcastle man thunders over for his second score of the evening in the right corner. Wes Naiqama is very, very unlucky with his conversion attempt, which smacks the upright and bounces on to the field of play. 73 mins:
It's a Fiji onslaught right now as Michael Platt comes to Ireland's rescue as Alipate Noilea attempts to get on the end of his probing grubber kick into Ireland's in-goal area. It's the fifth drop out in about 20 minutes for Ireland. 70 mins:
Slippery running from Jarryd Hayne as Ireland's defenders attempt to grab hold of the full-back, who looks a proper class act. However, a handling error gives Ireland head and feed at the scrum, handing Ireland an opportunity to get out of their half. "God knows how the authorities came up with the way this tournament is structured.. So I'm right in thinkin Ireland or Fiji - both winners of there groups - will be eliminated and England who have been embarrassing progress to semis?"
modricsrightshinpad on 606
Discuss the action on 606 65 mins: TRY IRELAND 10-26 FIJI
Super try - scrum-half Aaron Groom slots through a pinpoint grubber under the posts for Jarryd Hayne to pounce upon via a deflection off the upright, that's got to hurt. However, the Parramatta Eel gingerly picks himself up, much to the adulation of his team-mates as Wes Naiqama adds the simplest two points of his career. This will require the greatest ever fightback in rugby league history if Ireland are gonna nab this. Half of Ireland's players have blood spurting from various parts of their bodies or on the end of a bone-crunching Fijian tackle. 64 mins:
Ireland opt for a long kick off, rather than gamble with a short one as Sean Gleeson is penalised for a dangerous tackle. The Andrew Flintoff lookalike looks crestfallen. Fiji once again pound the Ireland tryline as the Wolfhounds make desperate - and energy-sapping - tackles to prevent the four points. 61 mins: PENALTY - IERLAND 10-20 FIJI
It's Ireland's turn for indiscipline, conceding two penalties with the latter, a flop from Michael Platt in the tackle on the flying Uate inside the 10m line, handing Wes Naiqama the opportunity to extend Fiji's lead to 10 points. 58 mins:
Yet more indiscipline sees Ireland advance deep into Fiji territory, courtesy of two penalties. But Ireland are running sideways looking for non-existent holes in defence. Ireland have the ball down in the in-goal area, but referee Klein says the chasing players were offside when the kick from Fitzpatrick was made. And blood is pouring from the head of Liam Finn, it's like an oil well, the Dewsbury Ram will need immediate attention on his cut by his right eye. "The weight of possession for Fiji got them that try and it could hurt Ireland and their energy levels in the last 10 minutes."
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan on Five Live Sports Extra 55 mins: TRY IRELAND 10-18 FIJI
Well, it was inevitable. Jason Bukuya skips past a defender after a pass from Alipate Noilea is knocked on inside the 10m line to touch down after another thrusting set of powerful runs from the drop out. Wes Naiqama adds the two points. 53 mins:
Three Ireland players surround a cheeky grubber from James Storer, which looks as if it is going long but suddenly the brakes are applied just in time for the onrushing Fijian players, forcing Platt to clear the ball for the third successive drop-out. Very dangerous for Ireland right now. 51 mins:
The Fijians are sniffing blood as little scrum-half Aaron Groom attempts to dissect a gap the size of a width of a sheet of A4 paper as Ireland defend the first five tackles resolutely. However, a smart kick to the right wing sees Damien Blanch clear the ball for another drop out from under the posts. 49 mins:
Jarryd Hayne pumps up a right skiier of a high kick from the resulting set of six as Michael Platt is bundled out of play, forcing Ireland to drop out from under their posts. 47 mins:
Ashley Klein penalises Semi Tadulala for using his elbow on Michael McIlorum in the tackle, a big call that on the 30m line. Can Ireland make this set of six count? The answer is no as Karl Fitzpatrick's kick into Fiji's in-goal area goes long, handing the Pacific Islanders the ball on their 20m line. 44 mins:
Ireland continue to pound Fiji's 10m line, but Michael Platt's offload goes is deemed to have gone forward, giving Fiji the opportunity to regroup from the resulting scrum. 43 mins:
Ireland clear their lines courtesy of a penalty for holding down in the tackle and Karl Fitzpatrick makes a wonderful break through the Fiji line with a subtle dummy. Big Ryan Tandy stabs through a delicate grubber, which is just about touched down in his in-goal area by Wes Naiqama. Excellent play from Ireland. 42 mins:
James Storer attempts to bundle over Ireland's tyline, but top work from Michael Platt and Simon Finnegan ensure the interchange cannot ground the ball. Ashley Klein goes to the video ref, who says the ball did not make contact with the ground. But all that came from an Irish mistake from Michael Platt. 0952: Right, we're back out at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. And it's Ireland's turn to kick off proceedings. "Sayin Simon Grix on ur live updates on bbc.co.uk, am guessing u mean Scott Grix? Simon plays 4 Warrington n Scott plays 4 Wakefield."
Gracey, Halifax via TEXT 81111 Whoops. Thanks for your eagle eyes Gracey. "It has been an entertaining first half with both sets of players playing some nice rugby league. If I was Andy Kelly I would be quite happy with the team's performance but they need more variation out of dummy-half and they haven't really had the field position to trouble the Fijians so far but it is anyone's game." Hull KR coach Justin Morgan on Five Live Sports Extra
"I'm expecting Fiji to come out second half and raise there game to end Ireland's chances."
modricsrightshinpad on 606
Discuss the action on 606 HALF-TIME: IRELAND 10-12 FIJI 40 mins:
A real flurry on the final few seconds as Jarryd Hayne makes a break before flinging his ball back dangerously into Irish hands, who do exactly the same before Ryan Tandy secures possession right as referee Ashley Klein blows for half-time. Blimey, good game this. 38 mins:
More top play from Scott Grix, who caresses a perfect 40/20 kick to give Ireland ideal field position with a minute to go. 36 mins: TRY IRELAND 10-12 FIJI
Simon Finnegan floats through a pass for Scott Grix, who skips past two defenders to bring Ireland within two points of Fiji. Nice run from the Wakefield man, who used the angle to his advantage to bundle over, but Pat Richards' conversion kick from the right thumps the uprights, so Ireland still trail by two points. 34 mins:
Ireland charge into Fiji territory, courtesy of excellent runs from Michael Platt and Ryan Tandy, while Semi Tadulala fumbles Karl Fitzpatrick's high, hanging kick for Damien Blanch, handing Ireland another set of six. Good position here for Ireland on the 20m line. "Ashton Sims and Wes Naiqama have been excellent so far for Fiji and there have been some little signs of brilliance and Ireland will keep an eye on that. They need to respond quickly."
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan on Five Live Sports Extra 30 mins: TRY IRELAND 6-12 FIJI
Lovely toes from Akuila Uate, who picks up the ball from dummy-half on the 10m line, skips and jiggles past a gap between prop Ryan Tandy and Lee Doran to power past the right post, giving Wes Naiqama the simplest of conversion kicks. Imagine a dash of Martin Offiah crossed with a sprinkle of Jason Robinson. Akuila Uate would be the result of that experiment. 28 mins:
Another Fiji mistake, this time for a knock on from Alipate Noilea, sees Ireland take the scrum, but the Wolfhounds gift possession back with a similar error. "Some players aren't used to playing with this much intensity. This is a big occasion for these players. What's been missing from the Irish over the last few minutes has been their support play and it needs to be improved, especially when the forwards are carrying the football."
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan on Five Live Sports Extra 25 mins:
Fiji are penalised yet again, this time for holding down in the tackle about 45m out. But Pat Richards' attempt for an extra two points goes just wide of the posts. Wonder if that could be a costly miss... "It would be really amazing if Ireland could pull off a shock win and make the semi finals. Come on you green."
Eirebilly on 606
Discuss the action on 606 22 mins:
Fiji, who made 18 handling errors against Scotland, add another one to their bundle as hooker Waisele Sukanaveita knocks on at dummy-half with just two metres to the Ireland tryline. Poor indiscipline. 20 mins:
More dodgy hands from Fiji see Ireland advance deep to within 20m of the tryline. Eamon O'Carroll goes to within a centimetre of the tryline, but is hauled back by a desperate defence. The move comes to an end when Karl Fitzpatrick's kick is collected and run out to the 10m line by Semi Tadulala. "Ireland's enthusiasm so far this tournament has been outstanding and their team harmony has been really good so Andy Kelly needs to get a pat on the back for that as it is paying dividends."
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan on Five Live Sports Extra 17 mins:
Replacement Ryan Tandy is on for Gareth Haggarty, who has sustained a shoulder injury. And Tandy is absolutely nailed by a huge tackle from Vonomateiratu, nothing like a bit of doof to say hello. 15 mins:
Brilliant tackle from Michael Platt prevents Aaron Groom from charging over for Fiji's second try. The little hooker skipped past Simon Finnegan and looked set to do the same to Platt, but the Bradford player grabbed hold of his right boot to ensure his path to the tryline was closed. 13 mins:
But Ireland gift back possession when an offload in the tackle goes astray. Brisbane Bronco Ashton Sims pounds down the middle of the park to the 10m line. Prop Ilisoni Vonomateiratu attempts a cheeky grubber on the fifth tackle, prompting a desperate clearance with his right boot from full-back Michael Platt for an Ireland drop-out under the posts. 11 mins:
Ireland are penalised for not standing square on their 10m line, but Jarryd Hayne makes a right horlicks of a simple pass from the resulting penalty, squandering a perfect opportunity to take the lead within sniffing distance of the tryline. 7 mins: IRELAND 6-6 FIJI
Damien Blanch - how hot is the Wakefield flyer right now? The winger beats two men on the outside with a 30m run after smart passing from Bob Beswick, Lee Doran and Sean Gleeson to ground his seventh try for Ireland in just six appearances. Referee Ashley Klein goes to the video ref, who sees no reason not to award the score. Top fightback from the Wolfhounds as Pat Richards levels matters with two points with the conversion. 5 mins:
Ireland are once again pinned back in their half as Jarryd Hayne's clever kick ensures Fiji are all over the opening exchanges of this match. "We're going to see the ball being thrown around by the Fijians a lot tonight but their ball control will be key."
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan on Five Live Sports Extra 2 mins: IRELAND 0-6 FIJI
Simon Finnegan chase down Aaron Groom's kick, but the ball lands back into Groom's hand and the hooker sends through Wes Naiqama, who glides through a paper-thin challenge of Michael Platt before accelerating past various defenders before just about grounding the ball over the tryline. And the Fiji skipper adds the extra two points with the kick. Poor start from Ireland. 1 minute:
Ireland make a decent fist of their first set, with Simon Grix kicking deep into Fiji's half. 0856: And we're off as Wes Naiqama kicks towards Ireland territory. 0853: Out belts the national anthems as the Fijians hold their right arms over their hearts. The men in white form a circle and are singing a prayer, a very tuneful one too, to give them that extra edge. Both teams looked pumped. 0848: Ireland coach Andy Kelly has named an unchanged starting XIII, while Ged Corcoran comes in for Wayne Kerr on the interchange bench. Fiji make two changes - one enforced - with prop Iowane Divavesi suspended. In come Osea Sadrau and Sevanaia Koroi. 0844: For those itching to have your say on 606, you'll have to wait 16 minutes until the gates to Ventyourspleen land are open...Sorry. 0842: Australia are on the brink of a 2-0 series defeat in Australia in Nagpur in the world of leather and willow, you can follow the last throes with Tom Fordyce: If only they were as vulnerable in the 13-man code, although I can imagine Craig Fitzgibbon coming in at 11 and giving an almighty biff and do a grand job for Punter's side. Back to the Gold Coast, let me know your thoughts on Ireland's prospects of reaching the semi-finals of any World Cup competition for the first time in the country's history via 606 (link above) or TEXT 81111 with the word "RUGBYL" before your message. 0840: Gerrrrumonside. It's time for Ireland v Samoa.
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