Otago Daily Times

Ireland sees red, Wales profits from card

RUGBY

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CARDIFF: George North and Louis ReesZammit scored secondhalf tries as Wales overcame a poor start to defeat 14man Ireland 2116 in their opening Six Nations clash at the Principali­ty Stadium yesterday, easing the pressure on coach Wayne Pivac.

Wales played with an extra man for 66 minutes after Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony received a deserved early red card, but trailed 136 at halftime as it offered little in terms of creativity and quality in the opening period.

But as Ireland tired with its numerical disadvanta­ge, Wales found space in the visitors’ 22, and centre North and wing ReesZammit crossed for tries, to go with three penalties and a conversion from fullback Leigh Halfpenny.

Ireland will rue that early red card but was still the better side in the first half as it scored a solitary try through lock Tadhg Beirne, and showed plenty of heart in the second period to stay in the contest.

It had the chance to kick for the corner and an attacking lineout five metres out in the last play of the game, but replacemen­t first fiveeighth Billy Burns booted the penalty too long and referee

Wayne Barnes blew the final whistle to cap a frustratin­g afternoon for Ireland.

There will be relief for Pivac, who won just three of his first 10 tests in charge of Wales last year, beating Italy twice and Georgia, and had promised a much improved showing in this Six Nations.

‘‘It was a nailbiting last few minutes for us but it’s nice to get over the line and start the tournament with a win,’’ Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones told the BBC.

‘‘We just had to win today. It’s key to start with a bang and keep momentum going so we are happy.

‘‘Sometimes it is tough to play against 14 men because they front up. We were on top until that moment (the red card) and then we seemed to ease off a bit.’’

O’Mahony was sent off for a dangerous entry into the ruck. He flew into a collision with a stranded Tomas Francis, providing no arms in the engagement with his shoulder leading into the side of the Welsh prop’s head. — Reuters

 ?? PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES ?? Can’t stop me now . . . Louis ReesZammit, of Wales, scores his side’s second try as he is tackled by Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong during their Six Nations match yesterday.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Can’t stop me now . . . Louis ReesZammit, of Wales, scores his side’s second try as he is tackled by Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong during their Six Nations match yesterday.

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