Ireland 10 - 22 Wales: Welsh brimming with confidence

Just a month ago, there was more discussion about whether Wales could make it out of the Rugby World Cup’s so-called “Pool Of Death” than whether they were realistic contenders for the title. But only outside the squad.

“Some people thought I was being funny when I said we were coming here to win it,” veteran winger Shane Williams said. “But I wasn’t.”

Wales’ progress to a first semi-final since the inaugural World Cup in 1987 came with such style that few will now disagree with Williams’ assertion that his team can win. A fierce defence, a clinical running game and total fearlessness took Wales to a 22-10 win over Ireland and a meeting with France in Auckland next weekend.

“We set goals and now we are on our way to reaching them,” hooker Huw Bennett said. “And, when you work so hard, there is nothing better than sharing these moments together. It’s been their great input since the start of the preseason. You could say our youngsters are our strength.”

An Irish pack that overwhelmed Tri-Nations champions Australia and withstood the fiercely competitive Italy forwards held up well against Wales, but the backrowers had less freedom than in previous matches because they had their hands full with their opposite numbers and were wary of scrumhalf Mike Phillips – whose size almost makes him an auxiliary forward.

Wales’ low leg-tackling stopped the Irish players making ground when they had the ball and the backs were sufficiently clinical to take full advantage of the openings that came.

The confidence that came from getting within a single kick of upsetting defending champion South Africa in their opening match helped carry Wales through a group also containing a tough Samoa side, Fiji and Namibia.

“I think we took confidence out of the South Africa game and we always knew we were going to be a tough side to beat,” prop Adam Jones said. “Some people back home maybe didn’t, but we knew. It’s certainly a better feeling than four years ago. There’s a different atmosphere in the changing rooms too. Results wise, a few of the journos back home are going to struggle to write bad things about us now.”

The consensus within the camp is that the youth of players such as flyhalf Rhys Priestland, fullback Leigh Halfpenny, No 8 Toby Faletau and captain Sam Warburton has helped Wales overcome the fear of repeating the failures that have marked their World Cup campaigns since 1987.

“The boys are really enjoying their rugby at the moment, enjoying the ride so to speak,” Jones said. “I thought our back line was fantastic and it was a case of a few of us older guys keeping up with the younger boys in the team and I thought the older boys came through.”

Wales have now arrived in Auckland for a week of preparation for their semi-final at Eden Park, confident of beating an inconsistent France team that shocked England 19-12.

“There’s a little belief,” centre Jamie Roberts said. “As Welsh people, we don’t like to get ahead of ourselves, but that’s the general feeling.”

As for Ireland, Rory Best admitted they are tormented by their failed attempt to win a World Cup they will forever view as a missed opportunity. “It will take a while to get over this.”

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Earls. Cons: O’Gara. Pens: O’Gara. Wales: Tries: S Williams, Phillips, J Davies. Cons: Priestland 2. Pens: Halfpenny. .

Ireland: Kearney, Bowe, O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Earls, O’Gara, Murray, Healy, Best, Ross, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, O’Brien, Heaslip. Replacements: Trimble for Earls (71), Sexton for O’Gara (55), Reddan for Murray (55), Ryan for Ferris (74), Leamy for Heaslip (74).

Wales: Halfpenny, North, J Davies, Roberts, S Williams, Priestland, Phillips, Jenkins, Bennett, A Jones, Charteris, A Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau. Replacements: Hook for Priestland (77), B Davies for Charteris (40).