There was a somewhat mixed reaction to Ireland exiting the Rugby World Cup on Sunday.
Joe Schmidt’s team, depending on who you read, were either “brave” or just not good enough, depleted by absentees, such as Paul O’Connell, Johnny Sexton and Sean O’Brien, or hamstrung by ill-equipped stand-ins.
The only thing everyone could agree on was that Argentina deserved to win.
Some fans took issue with “harsh” player ratings, others with the apparent patronising tone from some media outlets.
So we’ve had a look back through the archives to see how the media reacted to previous Ireland exits from the Rugby World Cup.
When Ireland were knocked out by Argentina, in October 1999, there was no mention of the word “brave.”
“So much for Ireland’s easy passage through to a possible World Cup semi-final place. Whatever about reaching the last four, a quarter-final meeting with France at Lansdowne Road next Sunday seemed on the cards when they led 21-9 in the second half of last night’s play-off against Argentina in Lens.
On the basis that they scored the only try of the game, Argentina will feel worthy of their success… Ireland only had themselves to blame.” – Kieran Rooney, Irish Independent.
“Now this was a disaster. Ireland’s World Cup and with it their world caved in at the Stade Felix Bollaert in tortuous, heartbreaking fashion last night. Never led until the 75th minutre, and generally with an edge in possession and territory, Ireland just couldn’t put the game away and break free.
Ireland had enough ball to win the game, and had they been able to register a try in the middle chunk of the game, they would assuredly have killed the game off. However, on the few occasions that Brian O’Driscoll and others made it through the Puma defensive line, there was rarely sufficient support.
The bottom line is that Ireland lacked the killer instinct.” – Gerry Thornley, The Irish Times.
In 2003, Ireland crashed out in the quarter-final stages after a crushing 43-21 defeat to France.
“So, the dream is over for another four years at least. In the strangely muted atmosphere of the Telstra Dome, Ireland weren’t just beaten, they were obliterated over the course of an opening 50 minutes in which France produced the most complete rugby of the World Cup” – Tony Ward, Irish Independent.
However, The Irish Independent were somewhat kind in their player ratings, with nine players receiving a six rating or higher. Brian O’Driscoll, who scored two tries on the day, earned a nine out of 10 rating, Keith Wood, in his final game, got an eight of 10 and Paul O’Connell also got an eight.
O’Connell was deemed a “player destined to move into the O’Driscoll/Wood world class club and sooner rather than later…”
The Irish Times weren’t as kind.
“Though mostly wearing green, the crowd could scarcely raise a shout, and by the half-hour mark the only ditty echoing around the enclosed Telstra Dome was Allez Les Blues.
By then the score was 17-0 and the game was already up. By the time Ireland landed a few late punches, they were already on the canvas. Even allowing for France’s brilliance, they were not truly extended, and won easing up long before the finish.
France’s brilliant openside Olivier Magne admitted as much when looking ahead to the semi-finals: ‘If we play like we did today we will have a problem… next time, depending on which team we play, we will have to do better.'” – Gerry Thornley, The Irish Times.
Everyone remembers Ireland’s disastrous World Cup pool stage exit in 2007.
The Irish Independent were damning following Ireland’s 30-15 loss to Argentina.
Gordon D’Arcy was given three out of 10 for his performance, and Ronan O’Gara, rated four out of 10, in particular came in for criticism in Hugh Farrelly’s ratings. “Like a tramp’s trousers, D’Arcy has lost his zip”, while O’Gara “seems to have aged about 10 years since the tournament began.”
Coach Eddie O’Sullivan was rated three out of 10.
“If anybody doubted that this team was without spirit then the Pumas’ game plan exposed their fragility. Meanwhile Ireland had nothing to offer in reply apart from inept kicks which never put the defender under pressure. Rarely in the entire game did a Puma receive ball and man.” – George Hook, Irish Independent.
It was a different story in 1991 though. Ireland lost a dramatic quarter-final at Lansdowne Road to eventual winners Australia. Ireland had been leading 18-15 with six minutes remaining, only for the Aussies to score a late try.
“One of the great, exhilarating classics of sheer raw-boned sporting courage. A quarter-final of the World Cup at Lansdowne Road yesterday that ranks high among the great annals of rugby.” – Sean Diffley, The Irish Independent.
“Some wallabies offered weary handshakes but you sensed they might as well have confronted him with knives. Hamilton was lost to the flagging evening.” – Vincent Hogan, The Irish Independent.
The now defunct Irish Press used their front page to honour Ireland’s efforts.
“The Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, summed it up in his message of congratulations to the Irish team. ‘It was a great try’, he told them. And the 50,000 packed into Lansdowne Road agreed. After the emotion and drama of 80 heart-stopping minutes, they gave both teams a standing ovation that continued long after they had left the pitch.
In the end, the battling Irish lost out on a semi-final place against the All Blacks by the narrowest of margins — just a single point. But rugby was the real winner of this tremendous match.”
And, rather than yesterday’s deflating defeat, the newspaper predicted this loss would lift the spirit of the nation.
“How could we possibly cope with the World Cup favourites, Australia? Now we know. Ireland returned to what it does best, chopping sides with big reputations down to size and getting in among them. The crowd provided the ideal backdrop and, boy, did the Australians know they were in a game?
Amid the closeness of it all, it would be easy to lose sight of the fact that Australia were the better team. Marginally perhaps, but they still had a vital edge in attacking flair. Having said that, Ireland could have won.” – Phillip Orr, The Irish Press.
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