IRELAND SKIPPER BRIAN Brian O’Driscoll admits his side have a lot of work to do improve on this morning’s opening World Cup performance.
Declan Kidney’s men won unconvincingly, 22-10, against Eddie O’Sullivan’s USA in New Plymouth.
Tommy Bowe scored a try in each half, while hooker Rory Best also got over but the United States had the final say when centre Paul Emerick ran in a late intercept try.
Leinster centre O’Driscoll told ITV: “We didn’t play well, we had to fight for our win. I suppose we got the win but we have a hell of a lot to improve on.
“We couldn’t get any continuity. We were a little bit loose. It’s good to get 80 minutes under your belt now we’ve got a big challenge at the weekend against Australia.
“We can work on bad aspects of our game during the week.”
Declan Kidney, meanwhile, said he was “delighted with the win”.
“Another big one – that is why you get into it,” he told TV reporters, “It’s a six-day turnaround to Eden Park (v Australia).”
What was your verdict on the game?
The lad is going to be snapped up this summer.He ran the show for Preston this season.I hope Cork City have a sell on clause with him.
@Padraig: I haven’t been following the championship at all. How have the likes of Horgan and Maguire been doing Padraig?
@De Zach Same: pretty good. Both where flying till they got injured.
@prop joe: Maguire was flying and had he not got injured Preston probably would have made the championship. It was a tough year for Horgan. He isn’t first choice and at times – particularly after Maguire came in struggled to make the bench. In saying that every time he came on he did well. Hopefully they’ll find a role for both him and Maguire (and now Robinson) next year
We see so much irish talent over in England at the moment yet the national team is at a standstill
@John Appleseed: at championship level. We don’t have any players at the top six clubs.
@prop joe: Lotd of good players in top six clubs here. They need to be given a chance.
Without the Irish boys the team would be struggling. Their strong listen hard and try hard mentality seems to have lifted some of the other average players. Don’t get burned on the beach boys! #republicofpreston.