What a disappointing end to the Rugby World Cup for Ireland, Ireland were so close to making history and if they beat the All Blacks last night, you can be sure they would have made it to the final.
After the game we talk about misses and Brian O’Driscoll was speaking on ITV and talked about the one kick that Johnny Sexton will be kicking himself over.
It does feel like when are we ever going to have a better chance of getting to a final or semi-final than with this team, what they have done, the rugby they have played, and the momentum that they built. It’s such a deflater…
I think the really frustrating thing, and we talked about Johnny Sexton looking back, we have to say there was a missed penalty in the 58th minute that got it within drop goal range. That’s what makes it all the more painful.
If you are looking for a way to pull it apart and split hairs, the reality is that they had to score a try and against a revolute defence like that with tired bodies at the end of the game, it was always going to be a big ask. It was always going to be easier to try and get a penalty out of it or at least have a shot at goal to take the spoils.
They didn’t have that opportunity to do so and ran out of puff after 30-something phases…
That’s the hard thing. I’m sure Johnny will eventually look at that and really kick himself. You never blame kickers, but that one will really hurt them.