Hungry Wales send Ireland packing
Wales showed great character and determination to knock Celtic rivals Ireland out of the World Cup by recording a 22-10 victory in their pulsating quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday.
The Welsh players absorbed plenty of pressure and made their opportunities count to emerge victorious from the physically intense battle which was hard-fought throughout.
"It was a massive performance, a massive defensive effort from 1-15," said Wales captain Sam Warburton, whose side stunned Ireland with a Shane Williams try in the opening minutes.
"We always say we don't start games well enough but our start was perfect," Warburton added.
Dejected Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll, whose team beat Tri-Nations champions Australia 15-6 in the pool phase, couldn't hide his dejection after what is likely to be the centre's last shot at World Cup glory.
"We got outplayed in the second half, they scored two good tries, maybe a bit of weak defence, but I'm very disappointed to be going home. It was a great opportunity for us, winning the group. But they showed they are worthy semifinalists, good luck to them.
"When you turn the ball over that many times against good opposition, they make you pay," the 32-year-old added.
Wales, knocked out of the last World Cup in France four years ago at the group stage, got off to a flying start when veteran wing Williams showed all his predatory skill to score his 56th try in his 84th match for his country.
Charges from inside centre Jamie Roberts and flank Dan Lydiate set the Welsh up, a quick ball down the right wing enabling fullback Leigh Halfpenny to suck Keith Earls out of position and Williams to nip in at the corner, with flyhalf Rhys Priestland nailing the touchline conversion.
Ireland had tackled hard but could not stop the momentum of the determined Dragons who powered over the gain line.
Ireland then launched a period of intense pressure but the Welsh defence was impressive as they flew off the line and got in their opponents faces, often forcing them into making mistakes.
Ireland had opportunities to kick at poles but chose to set up line-out drives as they sought to level the scores but Wales did well to shut them out.
Williams, at 34 the veteran of the young Welsh backline, then managed to produce a great try-saving tackle on Sean O'Brien as the flank crossed the line, and another on Connor Murray from the ensuing scrum.
When fullback Rob Kearney was hauled down just short of the line, the ball was turned over but an infringement at the ruck handed O'Gara a kickable penalty.
Halfpenny hit straight back with a 49-metre penalty as Warburton and Toby Faletau won the battle of the vaunted loose trios and O'Gara struggled to find his range out of hand.
That penalty made it 10-3 to Wales at the half-time break and Ireland had it all to do after enjoying the majority of possession and territory yet failing to make it count in the opening forty minutes.
Ireland came out of the changerooms with purpose and got on the front foot early in the second half. They were rewarded when a loose pass bounced out to Keith Earls on the outside and he pinned his ears back and slid over in the left corner for a good try.
Wales were next to strike when scrumhalf Mike Phillips dived over in the left corner after spotting a gap on the blindside and breaking from the base of the ruck just metres short of the line.
The scrumhalf fended off Gordon D'Arcy and launched himself spectacularly for the line, dotting down one handed as Tommy Bowe came in with the tackle.
Priestland's conversion drifted wide and the flyhalf, whose form has seen him keep Stephen Jones and James Hook out of the team, then saw a 58th minute penalty come back off the upright.
The killer blow was struck when Wales got the ball on the front foot in the Irish 22 shortly afterwards. Priestland sent it out to outside centre Jonathan Davies who had a player outsde him but didn't need him as he bustled through a gap and put his head down to burst through for a great try.
Priestland's conversion put Wales firmly in the drivers seat at 22-10 and it was hard to see a way back for Ireland with time running out.
Ireland threw everything they had at them as they desperately searched for thr try that would put them back within striking distance but the Welsh defence stood firm once more and they secured their place in their second World Cup semifinal.
The Welsh proved too fit, too strong and too determined on the day as they brushed aside the Irish challenge, and they look as if they will take some stopping in their semifinal.
Man of the Match: Big Welsh inside centre Jamie Roberts bust his way over the advantage line all game and was crucial in getting his team the front-foot momentum they needed when in possession.
Moment of the Match: Wales scrumhalf Mike Phillips scored a great opportunistic try by breaking on the blindside and diving over in the corner for a crucial try which put his team firmly in the driving seat.
Villain of the Match: Absolutely no-one, it was played in great spirit.
The scorers:
For Ireland:
Tries: Earls
Cons: O'Gara
Pens: O'Gara
For Wales:
Tries: Williams, Phillips, Davies
Cons: Priestland 2
Pens: Halfpenny
The teams:
Ireland: 15 Robert Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Andrew Trimble.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Paul James, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes, Romain Poite
TMO: Giulio De Santi