Simon Lewis, Rotorua
THE Russians may be winless on their World Cup debut appearance but having played both Ireland and Italy in the last week they are in the perfect position to assess the likely winner of Sunday’s crunch Pool C finale.
The Bears began their World Cup journey in New Zealand with a narrow loss to fellow minnows the United States before going down by eight tries to three in a 53-17 loss to Italy last Tuesday.
Ireland went one try better in the credit column and one less in the debit as they eased past the Russians 62-12 in Rotorua yesterday and both Australian-born lock Adam Byrnes and Welsh director of rugby Kingsley Jones will be backing the Irish to prevail in Dunedin this weekend.
“Ireland. Yes. I think it will be close. I don’t think there will be many points in the game itself, but from their victory against Australia I think they have a lot of self-belief,” said Melbourne Rebels lock Byrnes, who qualifies for Russia through his maternal grandparents.
“I just spoke to a couple of the Ireland boys in the changing room about the Australian game, and I think they took a lot out of that victory and they surprised even themselves.
“I watched them play Australia, and that was an unbelievable victory for them. That would have given them a great sense of belief moving forward to Italy next and then the quarter-finals. They’ve proven that by beating Australia, they can do anything. It’s just the consistency [they need] when it comes to the quarter-finals and maybe the semi-finals and final.
“As for today, they scored a lot of points so they’ve got a great attack. They did leak a couple of tries against Russia which they didn’t do against Australia. I think they’re a great side and they’re capable of anything. It’s just the consistency.”
Former Sale Sharks head coach Jones said his side handed Ireland victory by self destructing inside the opening 15 minutes.
“Our discipline, yellow cards, probably six penalties in the first six minutes; any team that does that will be under the cosh and concede points,” the Welshman said, before plumping for an Irish victory over the Italians.
“You’d have to say Ireland. The first thing is the amount of support they’ve got. I thought it was Thomond Park at the beginning to be honest with you.
“But, just the experience, I think. They’ve an experienced front five, Italy, but this Irish team have a lot of experience. It will be an interesting game. I wouldn’t put a lot of money on it but I’d say Ireland.”
Russia face another daunting challenge next Saturday when they conclude their Pool C schedule with a game against Australia in Nelson, and a chance for Byrnes to front up against the country of his birth.
“For me personally it’s a great way to finish off the World Cup campaign and also a dream match I never thought was possible,” he said.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/w02zuulCcec/post.aspx
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