Topping the rankings ‘irrelevant’ to Schmidt as Irish see off Wales
JOE SCHMIDT claimed Ireland topping the world rankings for the first time was irrelevant to the upcoming World Cup.
His side climbed to the summit of World Rugby’s rankings in Schmidt’s final match as head coach on home soil, the hosts seeing off Wales in Dublin.
Schmidt inherited an Ireland side languishing eighth in the world in 2013 and has turned them into a northern hemisphere powerhouse — and the Kiwi enjoyed an emotional last hurrah at the Aviva yesterday.
‘I didn’t even realise we were No1 until the post-match interview,’ said Schmidt. ‘That’s how far away from our thoughts it has been. It’s a label, it’s a nice one to get, and it’s a nice first time that we’ve been in that position.
‘We have been lucky enough to tick off a few firsts with this group in the last six-and-a-half years. But that label is not going to be relevant to anyone.’
‘We all know who the favourites are for the World Cup — and it’s not us,’ he added, in a clear allusion to the All Blacks.
Ireland had wobbled at the lineout again from the off, still getting to grips with the absence of set-piece banker Devin Toner.
Captain Rory Best and locks James Ryan and Jean Kleyn warmed to their set-piece task however, with one penalty lineout laying the platform for the game’s first score.
Bundee Aki and Stander powered through Wales’ midfield, with the latter clattering Rhys Patchell and ending the fly-half’s afternoon.
That quick ball allowed Kearney to ghost past Jonathan Davies and across the whitewash, with Johnny Sexton converting.
Dan Biggar snatched an interception off Sexton to race towards the line, only for Robbie Henshaw to haul back the replacement fly-half.
Wales kept up the pressure however, with Hadleigh Parkes busting home in style and Leigh Halfpenny’s conversion handing the visitors a 10-7 lead at the break.
Ireland built their fluency after the break, though. Prop Tadhg Furlong powered home to put the lead back into Irish hands and then lock Ryan busted in, too.
Jack Carty replaced Sexton just past the hour, with Ireland’s premier playmaker withdrawn to be bubble-wrapped for Japan.
Wales coach Warren Gatland, insisted Patchell will be able to travel to Japan despite suffering his third concussion in a year yesterday.
‘He’ll be fine,’ said Gatland. ‘He seems okay in the changing room.
‘He’s just got to be assessed in the next few days. We’ll talk to the medics about that and see how he fares over the next couple of days.’ SCORERS; Ireland: Tries — R Kearney, Furlong, Ryan; Cons — Sexton (2). Wales: Tries — Parkes; Cons — Halfpenny; Pens — Halfpenny. Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France).