Stockdale breaks Wales hearts as Ireland keep Grand Slam on track
AN interception try in added time from Jacob Stockdale kept Ireland's Grand Slam challenge on course after a compelling game in which Wales, outmuscled for much of it, still found a way of contesting the issue.
Indeed, as the game clock went past 80 minutes the Welsh were trailing by only three points.
They went in search of a sensational winning score themselves but a long pass destined for replacement George North on the right wing was telegraphed and the speedy Stockdale gratefully picked it off and went in under the posts.
Before kick-off the game seemed too close to call and that was reflected by a nip and tuck first half in which Ireland shaded it in terms of territory but during which Wales managed to keep well in touch through turnovers and making the best of their few chances.
Wales struck first with a well struck penalty by Leigh Halfpenny when Bundee Aki fielded the ball from an offside position after Jacob Stockdale had spilled a crossfield kick from Dan Biggar.
Johnny Sexton, not on his best kicking form, was unable to level the scores soon after from comparatively short range but made handsome amends during Ireland's next visit to the Wales 22 when he fired a brilliant long pass across the face of the Welsh defenders to put Stockdale into the corner for a fine try.
Sexton failed to convert and missed another very kickable penalty in short order before Wales enjoyed their best spell of the half.
On 20 minutes they attacked dangerously through Aaron Shingler and, when the ball popped out unexpectedly, Gareth Davies hit the burners to carve a great line running left to right.
The Wales scrum-half might have been tempted to pass – there were players outside him – but he is a devastating runner and finisher in his own right after clearly deciding early on he was going to take responsibility for scoring the try.
That he did splendidly, and he even had the presence of mind to dummy the touchdown and continue to plonk the ball down under the posts.
Wales were much heartened and stretched their lead after excellent work from the officials.
Biggar kicked ahead and rose well to collect the ball in trademark fashion only for it to roll forward almost instantaneously as he came to earth and placed it back. Initially the call was knock on but something didn't look right.
As referee Glen Jackson and the TMO consulted it became clear that Rob Kearney had kicked the ball out of Biggar's hands. Penalty. Cue Halfpenny who stepped forward to drill it through the posts from 42 metres. At 13-5 down Ireland needed to react, which they did.
Cian Healy was held up over the line but with Ireland playing advantage Sexton was able to land his first kick of the afternoon from in front of the posts and then, with half-time beckoning, Ireland really went to work laying siege to the Wales line.
Initially the Welsh seemed to have resisted a series of attacks but then Conor Murray, after a series of short pops, fired out a longer quicker pass to the powerful Aki.
The New Zealander had plenty of work to do, catching the ball on his hip and being taken to ground, but having finally controlled the ball, he managed to stretch out mightily and take the try well.
Ireland looked like a team in a hurry when they ran back on for the second half.
Their first opportunity to score came after Biggar had been turned over taking a high ball – he seemed to get confused calling for a mark outside of his 22. From that moment Ireland were ruthless and a long period of pressure ended with the impressive Dan Leavy powering his way over.
It got better still for Ireland when they claimed the try bonus with 27 minutes remaining after Healy burrowed over from short range.
The Irish had done well to rescue an attack off a scrum five that had gone wrong when Halfpenny had read the move well and tackled Murray, but with CJ Stander making some hard yards, Ireland went again and Wales were unable to stop the Leinster prop.
At 27-13 down it looked ominous for Wales but they roared back with a first Test try for Shingler after an attack had been initiated by a trademark high ball gather from Biggar, which got Wales going forward.
Looking up they moved the ball left to Steff Evans who hit the accelerator, but when he and then Liam Williams were stopped, they put width to it out on the right where Shingler was lurking unmarked.
Halfpenny landed the touchline conversion to make life interesting.
The introduction of George North in particular gave Wales new impetus and they were beginning to look more and more dangerous as the match entered the closing stages.
Ireland held firm though and a 35-metre penalty from Murray – Sexton was off the field – with less than five minutes left calmed nerves for a moment before Wales struck again.
This time they attacked fluently down the left and Navidi managed to release the speedy Steff Evans for a fine try, Evans taking the ball close to the posts to give Halfpenny the easiest of conversions.
The momentum seemed with Wales and at the least you fancied them to go up field and force a penalty to earn a draw, but they were thinking only of the win and right at the death were perhaps a little impatient as they flung out the ‘Hailmary' pass to the right wing.
We've seen many times before how long these ‘end plays' can last with defences backing right off in fear of conceding a penalty but it's difficult to be overly critical.
Wales went for it at the death and it didn't come off. Such is sport, but this was Six Nations rugby at its best.
PLAYER WATCH… by Brendan Gallagher
