The Ireland Sevens team notched up their first win at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai with a terrific 24-21 win over Australia.
2009 RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS: POOL D: Friday, March 6
IRELAND 24 AUSTRALIA 21, Pitch 1, Dubai Sevens Stadium
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Felix Jones, Paul Marshall, Brian Carney, Gary Brown; Cons: Tom Gleeson 2
Australia: Tries: Henry Vanderglas, Luke Morahan, Damon Murphy; Cons: Richard Kingi 3
Gary Brown – Post-Match Reaction
Stung by yesterday’s heavy defeat to Samoa, a super-charged Ireland built up a 17-7 half-time lead against Australia, thanks to tries from Felix Jones, Paul Marshall and Brian Carney.
Jones blazed over after only 22 seconds and with the conversion from Tom Gleeson, Ireland raced into an early lead.
They were able to build on this with a great individual try from Paul Marshall, who tapped a quick penalty and went round the Australian cover to score in the third minute.
Just a minute later, some great interplay between Munster team-mates Brian Carney and James Coughlan put Carney through for another try which Gleeson converted for 17-0.
Ireland negated the Aussie threat for most of the first half and retained possession to prevent the IRB Sevens World Series regulars from getting into the game.
But a yellow card for Coughlan reduced Ireland to six players and allowed Henry Vanderglas haul the Aussies back into the game right on the half-time whistle.
The second half proved tougher for Ireland as Australia came out firing on all cylinders and stretched Ireland at every chance.
Jon Skurr’s men were caught for cover and Australia foraged into a 21-17 lead thanks to tries from Luke Morahan and Damon Murphy, with Richard Kingi adding a valuable conversion with four minutes left to play.
Australia threatened the line in the following minutes but some last-gasp tackling from Ireland kept them out.
Then, with only a minute left on the clock, Ireland regained possesion.
They broke out of their half with Carney holding the ball up well for Coughlan to burst through the cover before offloading to Gary Brown who raced under the posts to give Ireland the game. Gleeson added the conversion with only seconds left.
With Samoa beating Portugal 20-7 in the other early Pool D game, the Irish are now positioned in third in the pool table on four points.
Australia, also with one win, are second courtesy of a better scoring difference and unbeaten Samoa are top of the pile with six points.
Ireland’s final pool game will see them take on Portugal at 4.52pm Dubai time (12.52pm Irish time).
IRELAND: Eoghan Grace (Shannon – Munster), James Coughlan (Dolphin – Munster), Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster), Felix Jones (Old Belvedere – Leinster), Brian Carney (Clonakilty – Munster), Brian Tuohy (Cornish Pirates), Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution – Munster).
Replacements: Kyle Tonetti (Blackrock College – Leinster), Kieran Campbell (Galwegians – Connacht), Conan Doyle (Garryowen – Munster), Daniel Riordan (Buccaneers – Connacht), Gary Brown (Blackrock College – Leinster).
AUSTRALIA: Henry Vanderglas, Damon Murphy, Luke Morahan, Richard Kingi, Jono Jenkins, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Ed Jenkins.
Replacements: William Brock, Ben Coridas, Brian Sefanaia, Shaun Foley, William Bishop.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Ireland Sevens Management –
Hugh McCaughey – Manager
Jon Skurr – Coach
Simon Harland – Physiotherapist
Fergal O’Callaghan – Fitness
Ashley Blair – Masseuse
Vinny Hammond – Video Analyst
Ireland Match Schedule Rugby World Cup Sevens –
Ireland 5 Samoa 35 – Match Report
Match Day 2:
Friday, March 6, 2009 4.52pm Portugal v Ireland
Match Day 3:
Saturday, March 7, 2009 FINAL DAY
10.30pm Men’s Quarter-Finals
5.08pm Men’s Semi-Finals
6.30pm Men’s Bowl Final
7.30pm Men’s Plate Final
8.35pm Men’s Cup Final
9.30pm Closing Ceremony
* All times are local/Ireland is four hours behind
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