Ruddock backs future participation

Wales 38 Ireland 24:IRELAND'S BID to secure seventh place in the U-20 Junior World Championship came undone in Treviso yesterday, but head coach Mike Ruddock insisted that the competition had nevertheless been a positive one from Ireland's point of view, and that future participation in the tournament is necessary for player development.

Yesterday’s fixture was Ireland’s fifth game in 16 days, but recent reports suggest it may be their last in the competition for some time due to IRFU concerns regarding player welfare.

Ruddock was neither able to confirm nor rule out the speculation when asked yesterday, but he made a point of endorsing the competition and its importance in relation to future advancement.

“There have been suggestions, but I’ve only heard the bits and pieces which have been speculated upon in the media,” said the Welsh man. “Nobody from the IRFU has told me any differently. “The one thing I would say is that it has been a fantastic tournament. It’s my first experience of it and I’ve really enjoyed it.

“It’s a great challenge for a coach and it’s a great challenge for the young players, because they want to aspire to play in the senior World Cup. It’s a great learning curve for these young men.

“I would say that perhaps they should look at the way they handle the four-day turn-arounds, and in particular with regards to the substitution protocols, so that some of the guys wouldn’t be as battered and tired as they are at the moment.”

Ireland were indeed a tired looking collection of players by the end of yesterday’s encounter, played out in the intense midday heat at the Stadio di Monigo.

Despite the final scoreline, there were plenty of positives from an Irish point of view, not least the superb performance of Andrew Conway, whose first-half try saw him join New Zealander Zac Guildford as the highest try-scorer in the history of the completion.

Conway’s try was his fifth in this year’s event, and his 10th overall, a remarkable statistic given that Ireland have proved more hit than miss in most of the games they have played. Craig Gilroy and Iain Henderson also touched down for one try apiece, but Wales scored five tries in total, and were deserving winners.

Things may have been different had Ireland made the most of their one man advantage when Wales outhalf Matthew Morgan was sin binned midway through the second half.

At the time, Ireland trailed 24-17, but were growing in confidence and had Wales well and truly on the ropes. However, a lost lineout stalled their momentum, and it was Wales who registered the next score, a close range try by Cory Hill.

“We’re disappointed that we didn’t play for 80 minutes,” said Ireland captain Jordi Murphy.

“We should have been putting them under pressure when they went a man down, but they scored against us. We’ll have to learn not to switch off at critical times.”

IRELAND: A Conway; C Gilroy, A Kelly, JJ Hanrahan, A Boyle; J McKinney, K Marmion; F Bealham, D Doyle, T Furlong; D Qualter, I Henderson; S Buckley, A Conneely, J Murphy (capt). Replacements: J Tracy for Bealham (22 mins), P Jackson for McKinney (29 mins), B Macken for Kelly (h-t), E McKeon for Buckley (45 mins), J Murphy for D Doyle (51 mins), P du Toit for Gilroy (58 mins), M Kearney for Qualter (75 mins).

WALES: S Shingler; L Williams, I Evans, L Robling, R Jones; M Morgan, J Evans; W Taylor, K Myhill, W John; M Cook (capt), L Peers; L Hamilton, T Young, B Thomas. Replacements: R James for Robling (9 mins), C Hill for Peers (53 mins), D Ford for I Evans (61 mins), L Smout for John (66 mins), O Sheppeard for Hamilton (67 mins), L Jones for J Evans (70 mins), J Sollis for Young (78 mins).

Referee: J White (New Zealand).

All Blacks claim fourth title in a row

AS EXPECTED, the All Blacks claimed their fourth successive title last night when they beat England 33-22 in the final at Padova.

In a game of tremendous skill levels, England matched the overwhelming favourites for most of the 80 minutes, scoring three superb tries. But Kiwi outhalf Gareth Anscombe proved the difference between the sides, scoring 18 points from his magical right boot in a man-of-the-match performance.

In the third place playoff, Australia beat France 30-17 while South Africa trounced Fiji 104-17 to claim fifth place.