New Zealand 17
Ireland 7
THE IRELAND MEN’S 7s team have finished sixth at the Olympics in Paris after losing their fifth-place play-off clash against New Zealand, meaning a disappointing end to their campaign.
James Topping’s side lost to Fiji in the quarter-finals on Thursday but hoped to claim fifth spot on their last day in action at Stade de France. Though Ireland enjoyed a win over the US earlier, New Zealand had too much class for them in this play-off.
Ireland had travelled to Paris with strong ambitions of medalling, with pool wins against South Africa and Japan meaning a promising start on Wednesday.
However, they were edged out by New Zealand in their last pool clash on Thursday which proved to be costly as it sent them into a quarter-final against defending back-to-back champions Fiji.
Ireland were ahead early in the second half of that quarter-final against the Fijians but lost in agonising circumstances. And there wasn’t to be a happy closing note this evening as the Kiwis earned a deserved fifth place.
New Zealand drew first blood as Leroy Carter finished in the right corner following a sweeping passage of attack in response to an early handling error from Ireland in the Kiwi half.
The Irish effort to respond was met by fierce defensive resistance, the New Zealanders just about managing the ball-carrying threat of the powerful Zac Ward.
Topping’s men had to defend savagely themselves as half time drew close, Hugo Keenan coming up with a vital breakdown turnover metres from the Irish tryline, sparking a strong counter-attack.
Ireland swept into the Kiwi half and wide on the left, Keenan hit Chay Mullins with a nice switch pass for Mullins to streak clear for an equalising try. Mark Roche landed an excellent conversion and Ireland led 7-5 at half time.
The lead lasted only 45 seconds of the second half, though, as another Irish turnover concession in attack led to the Kiwis surging downfield. From close range, Brady Rush dummied and dove over for their second unconverted try.
A knock-on from Bryan Mollen out on the right meant another frustrating lack of return on the next promising Irish possession. In contrast, the New Zealanders produced a brilliant third try on their next attack as Tepaea Cook-Savage offloaded for Moses Leo to dot down, with Andrew Knewstubb converting.
With a couple of minutes still remaining, Ireland couldn’t find the big response they needed to summon and had to settle for sixth place.
New Zealand scorers:
Tries: Leroy Carter, Brady Rush, Moses Leo
Conversions: Akulia Rokolisoa [0 from 2], Andrew Knewstubb [1 from 1]
Ireland scorers:
Tries: Chay Mullins
Conversions: Mark Roche [1 from 1]
NEW ZEALAND: Akulia Rokolisoa, Joe Webber, Leroy Carter, Moses Leo, Scott Curry, Dylan Collier (captain), Tone Ng Shiu.
Replacements: Tepaea Cook-Savage, Andrew Knewstubb, Fehi Fineanganofo, Brady Rush, Sione Molia.
IRELAND: Chay Mullins, Hugo Keenan, Terry Kennedy, Mark Roche, Harry McNulty (captain), Zac Ward, Bryan Mollen.
Replacements: Sean Cribbin, Hugo Lennox, Gavin Mullin, Niall Comerford, Jack Kelly.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi [Italy].
Deegan is probably closest like for like replacement for P O’Mahoney in the skill set he brings. Obviously has a lot more to prove to be considered in the same league as POM but if he can tie down 6 slot with Leinster , he could come into the reckoning for IRL. Early in his career, he showed he could perform at that level. Good player
@Michael Corkery: they are very, very different players when you take away the lineout skills
@Michael Corkery: a very competitive area, in both Leinster and Ireland, but then the irish lineout is a bit uncompetitive at the moment?
@adizlack93: I wouldn’t say so. Neither are very destructive ball carries like a Conan, Doris or Coombes or potentially Izuchukwu, fast over the ground and good at the breakdown/defence. And ability in lineout is a huge part of modern 6 game.
@Michael Corkery: it’s almost a pity JVDF is so good, then you could consider playing him at 7? I think POM’s best position at test level was openside, early doors anyway.
@Michael Corkery: Deegan is a very skilful and athletic ball carrier where POM is hard as nails and a and master of breakdown but not an athlete compared to other 6s
@adizlack93: POM would have been very athletic for most of his career but he didn’t have the density of a pure ball carrier like S O’Brien, D Wallace, Leamy etc. I’d say same now about Deegan v Conan, Doris etc. If we look at no 6’s , you have the hybrid lock types: Beirne, Baird, Izuchukwu,, Ahern, c. Prendergast. Deegan is much more a POM type BR forward than those lads. Sure they’re not identical but they’re definitely the closest in style of the current crop.
@Michael Corkery: an athletic 6 is Jerome Kaino, PSDT, Victor Vito, Stephen Ferris, Rocky Elsom. Not POM
@adizlack93: I think you’re mixing up athleticism and power. Or at least your definition of athletic is my definition of power. POM was very athletic, indeed that’s why he’s so good in the line-out. And Deegan is much more like POM than the guys you’ve mentioned.
@Michael Corkery: athletic ‘physically strong, fit and active’ Pom was and athletic openside, but not an athletic blindside?
@Michael Corkery: Deegan is a no 8 remember. He’s shifted to 6 because we have Doris and Conan. He is a ball carrier first and foremost and is adapting to blindside for his careers sake
@brian o’leary: I think argument about best position is another one. I was comparing our current options at n6 and saying Deegan was potentially the most like for like replacement for POM in that 6 role. But of course, IRL might decide they need a different profile in that role. A more powerful player like Baird or Izuchukwu .
@adizlack93: yes deegan can carry the ball and make meters
@adizlack93: true but I think he realized that he didn’t have the power of the likes of Conan and Doris but his relative lightness and dexterity could be a big advantage in the lineout. I think there’s also a misperception that PO’M wasn’t a good ball carrier. He was often used to carry out wide as he was better carrying in open spaces where his relative speed and handling could be used. Similar to Deegan now. PO’M has been used at 8 as well in Munster but definitely we get more out of him at 6 and I think Leinster will have similar thoughts about Deegan.
@Michael Corkery: would have Conan at 6 for Ireland on current form. His defence has really come on in recent years and ire have missed him. Also scope for Baird, Izzy Prendergast and Ahern
@adizlack93: I agree on form, he deserves to be in Irish XV. But with our lineout troubles at the moment, they might be tempted to go with a hybrid type 6 à la Baird, Beirne
Clearly a very different team selection policy at Leinster this year which appears to be helping.
Seems like the coaches have taken some feedback on board.
Interesting to see if it can be sustained for the whole season.
Deegan is an all round player, can play across the back line. Maybe this is his breakout season.
On a site note. Did anyone notice that one of the official sponsors, « Jaecoo » (whom I never heard of before yesterday) supplies cars to the Russian market! That’s from Wikipedia. Am I mistaken that there is an embargo against doing business with Russia and these guys are an official sponsor of the EPCR? Even if it wasn’t illegal should any company on a pure ethical basis be doing business with Russia? Should EPCR choose its partners better?
@Con Cussed: side note
@Con Cussed: absolutely not. Yes, EPCR should be more selective in their sponsorship but my guess they are desperate after allowing the French/English diminish the prestige of the competition into something of an afterthought for most teams
@Con Cussed: Embargo my a$$. Money talks and dirty money talks loudest of all. There are no such thing as morals when there’s a few bob to be made.
@Con Cussed: the company is Chinese, the EU or US can’t dictate who it does business with. As for ethics, Ireland did plenty of business with US companies when it was invading countries.
@John Buckley: Agreed, it wasn’t right then and it’s not right now. The fact that this is a Chinese company only makes it worse as they are supplying technology to the Russian’s.
@John Buckley: I think the point was about EPCR (a European entity) having a sponsor supporting a direct enemy of Europe. Nothing to do with what China does.
@Michael Corkery: The EU still gets gas from Russia. Should EPCR leave the EU because of this?
@John Buckley: much less gas than b4. And you can’t compare something like primary energy (which is a necessity) and sponsorship of a sporting event.
@Michael Corkery: Why does that matter, they still take gas. Employment is a necessity if you live in China, and it is being provided by this Chinese car manufacturer selling on the Russian market. Like others, you have no right to hold the moral high ground
@John Buckley: I think you intentionally or otherwise twisting my argument. I agree that China has no obligation vis a vis the west but honestly having one of your sponsors as a direct supporter of a declared enemy of the states in which you operate reeks of desperation or least a feckless disregard for where the money is coming from.
@Michael Corkery: Totally agree. Not sure where John is coming from, sounds like he doesn’t have any concern about human life. Another Ray unfortunately.
@Con Cussed: I think probably the real story is about the loss of visibility and status of the old H-Cup. Probably EPCR would have been fighting off wannabe sponsors. I guess now, they’ll probably feel they have to take the cash that’s offered and turn a blind eye.
@Con Cussed: No, I am just not joining your virtue signalling. The EU only put an embargo on what suits themselves, they still give loads of money to Russia. None of its citizens can lecture others.
Fully agree! All the vacuous, empty “values speak” and virtue signalling go out the window when money enters the room! Sickening!
@Eugene O’Curry: It brings the good name of rugby into disrepute. If we don’t have our morals, we have nothing!
I think Deegan has had to evolve his game into a more hybrid 6 as he doesn’t have the explosive power of Doris or Conan to play 8. He’s clearly focused on his lineout work, which could help propel him towards Irish reckoning. Although there is plenty of depth at blindside.
Definitely reckon there’s some clause about Snyman not starting in big European games ahead of Ryan or Mccarthy. For me, it’d be Ryan and Snyman with Mccarthy on bench, with Alan Spicer soon to arrive in the 23