IRELAND BEAT USA 26-14 in their final WXV1 clash in Vancouver.
Scott Bemand’s side trailed for a significant period but finished strongly amid a second half where the ill-disciplined Americans lost three players to the sin bin.
The Irish started strongly but could not initially make their dominance count.
Loosehead Hope Rogers celebrated her 50th cap by powering over the line following a sustained period of US pressure, with McKenzie Hawkins converting.
Ireland then produced the perfect response. Player-of-the-match Erin King took a quick tap-and-go penalty before battling her way through a couple of opponents to score the game’s second try. Nicole Fowley converted to level the scores.
Nonetheless, the Americans re-took the lead on the brink of half-time.
Rogers once again scored the try — her 17th at international level — dotting down after strong running from Alev Kelter and Kate Zackary in the build up.
Hawkins again made no mistake with the conversion to give the US a seven-point lead at the break.
Yet in the second half, Ireland ended the season in style with a dominant display, scoring 19 unanswered points.
The game-changing moment occurred in the 63rd minute.
With Ireland inches away from the try-line, Molly Scuffil-McCabe’s pass was intercepted by an offside Tahlia Brody.
After consultation with the TMO, a penalty try was awarded to Ireland and Brody was sent to the sin bin.
Two more US players received yellow cards in the dying minutes. Rachel Ehrecke and Rachel Johnson were penalised for a deliberate knock-on and high tackle respectively.
Ireland took full advantage of their numerical superiority. Replacement Cliodhna Moloney put her side ahead for the first time in the game, diving down amid an abundance of bodies.
It was initially ruled out for a knock-on, but the TMO eventually awarded the try, which Dannah O’Brien converted
With four minutes remaining, winger Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe completed the scoring, diving over in the corner to secure a bonus-point win.
The result leaves Ireland second in the WXV1 table and they could stay there depending on Saturday’s results.
They began the competition with a memorable victory over world champions New Zealand before a loss to Canada last Sunday.
Some turnaround from over 12 months ago. Hope they stay on the upward curve.
@Brendan Griffin: It is brilliant to see. There was always a bit of talent in the squad, but clearly the change in management has given them the belief that they need in themselves. This is a game they would have lost 12 months ago despite the yellow cards for the opposition.
To the naysayers after the loss to (no.2 and conquerors of France) Canada, get behind this team or stop pretending to be an actual Irish rugby fan. The progress this team has made is astounding. The players and Bemand are doing wonders. Long may it continue.
@Lochlainn Garvey: Yeah, be positive. It’s really very healthy, and pull out the bad vibes in the rare occasions you need them!
@Lochlainn Garvey: Yes way to many negitive tree’s on here RR
Awesome
Great performance, onwards and upwards COYGIG
O’Brien should have been 10 from the start. Best out half we have. Wayward kicks punished us in the first half.
@Shane OHanrahan: .. but we won the game! As for the selection at 10. It was justified. Look back at the Canada match. It was great that Danah had a great 30, but she would have been targeted early on. The US handed this game to us with a series of penalties and silly knock-ons which brought us into the game in the final quarter. Let’s be objective. Onward and upward. France at home in the 6N must be the next ‘target’ milestone for this group.
@John Morris: people are never satisfied