BILLY DARDIS PLAYED a true captain’s role as Ireland overcame a scare to scrape past Chile 17-12 and into the Sevens World Cup last 16.
Jimmy O’Brien’s try with seconds remaining ensured Ireland will face South Africa next up this morning, but the tie was almost tipped Chile’s way before Dardis flung himself into a try-saving tackle.
The boys in green got off to the worst possible start in their World Cup campaign as they failed to deal with the kick-off and the South Americans took an early lead through Pedro Verschae – more from him to come.
Ireland quickly wrestled control back and hit back immediately with Hugo Keenan stepping hard off his right foot to power over the line. And on the next wave, captain Dardis showed even more sparkle off the boots as he danced through a gap to give Ireland their 12-7 half-time advantage.
Having dominated the middle six minutes of the first seven, Ireland found themselves scrambling before the break as Chile hacked the ball into space in front of the posts.
Fortunately for Ireland, the man in pursuit was Jordan Conroy, and he comfortably won the footrace to tidy up. However, after the break the Buccaneers speedster wasn’t quite as airtight, as Francisco Metuaze fended him off and powered away down Ireland’s left flank to level the match up.
With Irish breakdown efforts falling foul of officials, Chile had possession as the contest entered its final two minutes.
At the home of the San Francisco Giants, the big man Verschae gave Ireland a heart-stopping scare as he broke clear down the right with 90 seconds remaining. Dardis closed him down on the angle and forced him to choose contact rather than a race. He squared and bumped off the ex-Newbridge College playmaker, but the impact from the skipper was enough to unbalance him and bring a foot in touch.
Having stared down the barrel of a run in the third-tier Bowl tournament, Ireland swept down the other end, working through the hands and stretching Chile left to right until Terry Kennedy floored a defender with sheer footwork and then sent Jimmy O’Brien over for the match-winning try.
17-12, a close run thing, but enough to leave Ireland with a sense of momentum as they size up South Africa in a clash set for 05.15 this morning.
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If he gets back into the Irish setup without others getting injured I’d be very surprised. Saying that if he does merit a recall then he’ll be playing fantastic rugby so for Ireland sake I hope he does.
@Chris Mc: It’s all about him I reckon cause he’s definitely got the talent/ability. As someone else pointed out here he looked in bad shape for a lot of his time at Wasps, if he really focuses on that he could challenge for a place on the squad no problem.
@The Irish Pain: wasps wanted him heavier, to be a different prop than the mobile less effective scrumager cooper wolley
Ireland now have 5 reliable TH props available . Furlong , Porter , Bealham , Ryan and Moore : all under 30 . That’s an incredible turnaround .
@Limón Madrugada: Maybe you could include Archer on that list as he seems to be first choice in Munster.
@Tom Reilly: but reliable for Ireland ?? I’m not convinced , he is capped though for sure ..
Someone on here yesterday said that Leinster made a ‘poor decision’ letting Marty Moore go.
I think the opposite, Marty Moore made a poor decision to leave Leinster.
When he left he was in the Irish 23, primed to replace Ross. He moved to Wasps and ended up not even starting for them. He also looked unfit.
In that time Leinster developed Furlong and Porter, Ireland brought in Bealham and Ryan and a few years later he’s back fighting for 3rd/4th in the Irish pecking order.
A shame because he is some prop on his day. Possibly a better scrummager than any of the above.
@Oval Digest: The word was that Moore was excited to play under Dai Young, a well capped Welsh and Lions prop. Maybe it was the 2 year deal offered by Leinster vs the 3 year Wasps deal (undoubtedly for more money) that was the real reason. Or maybe he saw Tadgh Furlong coming through and thought now’s the time to cash in. Or perhaps he thought Leinster are not gonna be challenging any more. If it was the Young factor that helped him go, the renowned Young had no impact on him other than gaining weight. The move might have been good for his bank balance but it was a disaster for his career. Thus far. Still, a big season and he could play his way in.
@grandslamkbo The word was also that Moore signed a contract without realising that he couldn’t get out of it in an effort to bargain with the IRFU, and then got stuck.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/leinster-admit-defeat-in-bid-to-retain-marty-moore-s-services-1.2510136
Marty is good on his day when fit, the problem is there just isn’t enough of those days.
He will have to buck up his ideas if he is to have a sniff of being anywhere near the Irish squad.
Yes squad not team
His whole career and how people will view his achievements relies on his application for the next two years
Be interesting to see how Nathan Hughes goes this season, he should be pushing for a place in the English team.
@Ruairi O’Bric: He is a super club player but I’m not sure about his workrate apart from ball carrying. If Billy V stays fits there’s no comparison…
Looked very unfit at Wasps as when he was playing previously for Leinster he had great mobility/work-rate and could force a few turnovers too.
He was overweight when he last played for Leinster and Ireland and things have only gotten worse since, needs to go on a serious shred if he is to make Ireland contention again.