THE Ireland rugby team, led by captain Brian O’Driscoll and coach Declan Kidney departed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup this week. The Irish side flew from Dublin on Tuesday afternoon and landed in Queenstown, New Zealand for a Powhiri (traditional Maori welcome) around 15.00, (local time).
The 30 man squad was a little light this Tuesday however as both Cian Healy, (eye socket) and Gordon D’Arcy (calf strain) were not permitted to travel, due to the adverse effect the pressure of flying would have on their rehab.
Ireland will start their World Cup bid against the USA, coached by Eddie O’Sullivan, on September 11 in Taranaki. The squad has been hit by injury and loss of form in recent weeks. Felix Jones and David Wallace have been ruled out due to foot and knee injury respectively, while Tomas O’Leary and Luke Fitzgerald have been left behind after failing to perform in the warm-up games.
This time four years ago, players and management alike were telling all that would listen, that Ireland could win the World Cup. The rest, as they say, is history.
This time around, Ireland will enter the tournament as favourites to reach a quarter final and nothing more. The question is – is this Ireland team good enough to go further than that?
The success achieved in this World Cup for Ireland is based on many things. Injuries to key players. Form of key players and of course, the interpretation of the laws.
Ireland have a squad, if all are on form, to reach the semi finals of this tournament. The game against Australia on September 17 will be crucial. If Ireland can beat the Aussies in that game, they would face the losers of the South Africa/Wales group. Should they lose to the Wallabies, then Ireland would be playing the winners of the South Africa/Wales group. The ideal situation of course would be to beat the Aussies and face Wales, England or Wales and then Australia or New Zealand in the final.
That of course, is the stuff of dreams. How far can this side go though? From a small populated country, where rugby is not the first sport, can the fans expect much?
Four Heineken Cups in five years suggests that we should be thinking big. A coach of the calibre of Kidney, paired with a World Cup winning forwards coach in Gert Smal, sees Ireland well matched off the field.
The questions raised from the warm-up games have been many. Back line attack, defence in the centres and scrum half are all areas that will need to be sorted out before a ball is kicked in earnest.
Four years ago we went over to France expecting to win it all and we were left deflated. This time we are in need of hard work, inspiration and some luck. The journey starts now. Who truly knows where it will end.
Ireland World Cup Games, (Irish Time)
Sunday 11th September 7am versus USA,
Saturday 17th September 9.30am versus Australia
Sunday 25th September 6am versus Russia
Sunday 2nd October 8.30am versus Italy
