Defending champions Ireland were gallant losers to New Zealand in last night's semi-final of the FIRA Under-19 World Junior Championship at Bridgend, Wales. Jeremy Staunton's five penalty goals kept the Irish side in touch to the very end as the New Zealanders hung on desperately.
The junior All Blacks had not appeared in previous tournaments; but it was clear from their earlier rounds, when they had run up scores of 63-15 over Romania and 74-0 against Canada, that they would pose the sternest of tests for Ireland. Nevertheless Irish manager Harry McKibbin was upbeat before the match. While acknowledging a difficult assignment, he also pointed out "the great belief that the entire squad had in itself."
Ireland were left in no doubt about the task facing them when New Zealand launched an attack straight from the kick-off and left wing Gerard Fasaualu darted over in the corner.
New Zealand were then held for half an hour by astute kicking, particularly by out-half Staunton, and powerful breaks by centres Mark O'Kelly and James Downey.
Ireland led briefly by 6-5 after two Staunton penalties from long range before Fasaualu showed his electrifying pace again with a try after a break by Riki Flutey and Shannon Paku.
Staunton and Flutey exchanged penalties to leave the half-time score at 13-9. A fourth Staunton penalty was again cancelled out by Flutey and when Paku went over for a third New Zealand try, everyone expected the favourites to finish off a comfortable victory. Instead the stoutest of Irish fight-backs, with skipper and number eight Des Dillon to the fore, rocked the New Zealanders and had the 6,000 crowd roaring them on.
A final Staunton penalty goal took Ireland to 15-21 and a last-minute line-out near the New Zealand line was held.
In the final count, New Zealand knowhow, with the back row outstanding, was too much for Ireland. They could take heart heart from their earlier victories over Georgia and Italy and as McKibbin pointed out, "whatever else happens we have maintained our top four seeding and therefore guaranteed a favourable draw in next year's championship".
