WALES WIN THRILLER
DUBLIN, Feb 5, 2012 (AFP) – Wales recorded their third successive victory over Ireland on Sunday with a last minute penalty by Leigh Halfpenny giving them a 23-21 victory in their Six Nations opener.
The Welsh scored three tries to the hosts two with centre Jonathan Davies getting two of them while Irish wing Tommy Bowe brought up a century of test points with his 20th try.
“That was the hardest kick I've had to take in all my life and I was very pleased to see it go over and get the win for Wales,” said Halfpenny of his matchwinning effort.
“It was end-to-end stuff – an exciting game and all credit to Ireland. They went out and gave us a tough game.”
Ireland coach Declan Kidney was downcast.
“It is extremely disappointing but Wales took their opportunities,” he said.
“We didn't build on our lead in the second-half and when we go ahead we have to go for the jugular.” Jonathan Sexton got his first shot at goal in the fourth minute and showed no nerves after a poor World Cup kicking as he slotted it over for an early 3-0 lead.
The hosts were caught out down the left flank in the 14th minute, this time Jonathan Davies touching down in the corner after a superb pass by Rhys Priestland as he was smothered bytommybowe.
Priestland, though, failed to convert Davies's sixth test try but the Irish were rattled.
The hosts should have gone further behind in the 19th minute but Priestland's kick in front of the posts rebounded off them and into a grateful Sean O'brien's hands leaving the visiting fly-half shaking his head in disbelief. The Welsh, though, had managed to completely silence the home crowd and their gloom deepened when Sexton sent a relatively simple penalty wide of the posts just before the half hour mark.
They were on their feet though three minutes before the break as an incisive break from Bowe fatally drew right wing Alex Cuthbert in and his pass set up hooker Rory Best for his sixth test try - Sexton converted and incredibly the Irish were 10-5 ahead.there was a further blow for the Welsh at half-time as their skipper Sam Warburton was unable to come out because of a dead leg and was replaced by 22-year-old Justin Tipuric while Cuthbert was removed as well from the fray and James Hook came on for his 60th cap.