Ireland Stumble On and Nothing Changes

In the end a 14-10 victory for Ireland against a Georgia side who started with 11 changes to the side that frightened the living daylights out of Argentina but perhaps it needed Peter Stringer’s after-match TV comments to put things in perspective.

“To be honest”, he said, ” We knew coming into this competition we would have to win all our Pool games to be sure of going through (to the knock-outs) and that remains the case.”

Unlikely as it might have seemed, Ireland came within a (Argentinean) TMO’s decision of losing this one, as referee Wayne Barnes went ‘upstairs’ to determine whether the Georgians had grounded after they’d rumbled over when just two minutes of normal time remained of a second half they’d dominated.

In fairness had the try been awarded, it would have been a travesty from the point of view that from every TV angle, there was no view of a grounding. And so it transpired.

But had the supposed ‘minnows’ snatched a victory – as they so very nearly did –  the Irish could have had no grounds for complaint.

Ireland took the victory and the points thanks to a first half try from Rory Best and a second half one from Grivan Dempsey most to superb hands from the man who replaced Best, Jerry Flannery.

Ireland led 7-3 at the break but then conceded a try when Peter Stringer’s pass to Brian O’Driscoll was intercepted by Giorgi Shkinin who raced the length of the field to score under the posts.

Delightful quick hands from Flannery put Dempsey clear for a vital try but from then on it was the Georgians who dictated and dominated matters.

In the end Ireland just about held on and afterwards O’Sullivan insisted “It was a a better performance than last week, we just met a better team.”

Ireland: Girvan Dempsey; Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll capt, Gordon D’Arcy, Denis Hickie; Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer (Isaac Boss 70 min); Marcus Horan. Rory Best (Jerry Flannery 53 min), John Hayes (S Best 66 min); Donnacha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell; Simon Easterby (Neil Best 72 min), David Wallace, Denis Leamy.

Georgia: Otar Barkalaia; Giorgi Elizbarashvili, Revaz Gigauri, Davit Kacharava, Giorgi Shkinin; Merab Kvirikashvili, Bidzina Samkharadze; Mamuka Magrakvelidze  Goderdzi Shvelidze, Avtandil Kopaliani;  Ilia Zedginidze, Mamuka Gorgodze; Ilia Maisuradze,  Rati Urushadze, Giorgi Chkhaidze.