Wales reached the Rugby World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 24 years on Saturday with a clinical 22-10 win over their Six Nations rivals Ireland.
The veteran winger Shane Williams gave Wales a third-minute lead with a try and, other than a wobble five minutes after half-time, when a Keith Earls try dragged Ireland level, the Welsh never looked like losing.
“The boys knew we were either going home Monday or we were here until the end of the tournament,” the Wales coach, Warren Gatland, said. “That was the motivation beforehand. Wales should be very proud of these boys for how hard they worked the past four or five months. We’re not ready to go home yet.”
Wales led for all but eight of 80 minutes and never trailed, but, despite a formidable defence and ruthless finishing, could easily have been behind at half-time. With the wind behind them, the Irish spurned three attempts at goal to kick for position, wasted two attacking positions through not releasing and the fly-half Ronan O’Gara twice punted over the dead ball line to give Wales a scrum.
“We had high hopes going into the game. We thought we were in good form and we just got outplayed on the day,” the Ireland captain, Brian O’Driscoll, said. “We just felt we could keep the pressure on and the boys backed themselves to drive over. That cost us a bit. We spent a lot of time down in their 22 and only came away with three points.
“It’s disappointing, collectively and personally. I won’t get this opportunity again and that really sucks.”
“It’s an historic win for Wales. The boys have been outstanding,” the Wales scrum-half, Mike Phillips, said. “We were superb today. We’ve worked our socks off for this – we deserve the win.”
