Single handily, the defeat of Australia by Ireland has set
up four mouth-watering quarter finals, and the first of four Quarter finals that
few would have through would happen before the tournament, although it goes to
show just why you shouldn’t underestimate any side in the tournament.
The whole situation we have now was set up by Ireland’s win
over Australia, a performance probably still to be bettered this tournament.
That was built on the foundations of a strong defence - they’ve let in only three
tries, all of them in a non-event against Russia, conceding only 34 points in
the process - , unmoveable scrum, and clinical attack, which was even more
evident against Italy when a second half burst of 27 unanswered points turned
almost as many heads as their win against Australia.
The availability and form of Ronan O’Gara combined with
Johnny Sexton means their goal kicking can be relied upon to pull a game out of
the fire but 5 tries from Keith Earls shows attacking prowess – While Tommy
Bowe, desperately unlucky not to score against Australia, being denied a
legitimate touchdown disallowed and being refused a penalty try in the final
throw of the game.
With the likes of Gordan D'Arcy, Paul O’Connell and Conor
Murray Ireland have genuine quality flowing through from 1-15 and can see off
the threat of a Wales side playing as well as they’ve done since their Grand
slam wins of 2005/8.
A desperately unlucky opening game defeat to South Africa
has been followed up with three impressive wins, turning on the style against
Nambia and Fiji, having edged Samoa in a tight physical game.
All of their results since suggest their superiority against
South Africa is not in doubt and their low total of points conceded suggest
they will make things hard for Ireland – They did beat them in the 6 Nations,
although many will question a dubious Mike Phillips try that settled it after Matheew
Rees’s wrongly placed lineout. It should be a close and titanic battle, but
Ireland look worth a chance to go to their first semi – final in this tournament, with the winning margin markets offering good value given how tight games between these two are.
Advice: 2 pts Ireland to win by 1-12 points (6/4 general)
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