Kidney's team now have the potential to dominate European rugby all the way to the next World Cup
There is a self-belief in this group that is a wonder to behold, writes George Hook
Finally the ghost has been laid and Jack Kyle and his teammates can relax and hand over the torch to a new generation. They can be confident that these new heroes will not let them down. The match was nail-biting but it should have been a canter such was the second-half superiority of the men in green. Cardiff no longer has any fears for Ireland.
It is important to remember where this team was when Declan Kidney took over. In the World Cup, Ireland's key trio of Paul O'Connell, Brian O'Driscoll and Ronan O'Gara were at the nadir of their fortunes; the outstanding young Jamie Heaslip was ignored; and Stephen Ferris was inexplicably seen as an open side flanker. And it got worse before it got better as in the subsequent championship the team clearly stopped playing for the coach.
There was no obvious improvement in the autumn when Kidney took charge but for this championship he delivered the most focused, organised and cohesive group in living memory. Warren Gatland's asinine comments said more about the Kiwi's insecurity than any weakness in a superbly calm and confident Irish team. Kidney's gentle mocking of Gatland must have done wonders for the camp.
The decision to give the refereeing ticket to Wayne Barnes when Steve Walsh of New Zealand had his contract revoked was extraordinary given that the Englishman had not been considered good enough to officiate a single match in the championship. The Englishman's views on the breakdown are at variance with the rest of the international panel. He ignored the offside line and the players took it as open season.
Meanwhile, the defection of Andy Powell together with the demotion of Jamie Roberts left Gatland without two of his best ball carriers. Nevertheless, the Kiwi delivered a team in his image in the early stages. The men in red played at an unbelievable pace with no little skill. At the same time they headed for O'Gara like a heat-seeking missile.
The first half was about both teams playing to avoid error rather than making clear incisions. It was a kicking contest. Ireland defended with composure and attacked through the forwards on a narrow front. O'Gara took the ball wide on just three occasions in the first half and Gordon D'Arcy twice looked threatening.
Kidney has the ability to deliver a team that can roll with the punches and an organised defence handled the pressure without alarm and looked a better team. The plan was clear: wear Wales down and deny them quick ball. Discipline was a key element and it was 32 minutes before Wales had a kick at goal, which led to three points. Another kick sent them in at half-time six points clear and presented Kidney with the dilemma: whether or not to change the game plan.
The selection of Tomas O'Leary over Peter Stringer was a clear indication that Ireland intended following the game plan of '48 -- cutting off Welsh possession at source by establishing forward domination. O'Leary's box-kicking and physical presence probably swung the decision. The scrum-half did not kick well but his physical presence was vital in defence in the early stages.
Kidney was probably the coolest person on the planet. He stayed with his scrum-half and the team responded. The players have demonstrated the ability to raise their game and they opened the second half in a new gear. The result was two tries in as many minutes and the nation would have to hold its breath for a long time. Incredibly with the game there to be won, poor discipline by Donncha O'Callaghan and Heaslip allowed the home team back in and the contest started again.
The Irish scrum was awful and Heaslip's wonderful athleticism at that phase was neutralised. In contrast the lineout was a desert for Wales and Gatland was forced into changes at lock and hooker to try and solve the problem. Gatland had all the problems but Ireland could not close the deal. Ireland were immeasurably the better side but the tries refused to come.
Gavin Henson's primary criterion for selection appeared to be that he never lost a championship game he had started. The immature Ospreys centre had probably cost his side the game against France and yesterday he faced the biggest challenge of his career against Brian O'Driscoll. It was admirably demonstrated when the Irish captain drove the Welsh superstar backwards and stole the ball to boot.
The Irish players were magnificent: John Hayes played better than at any time in his career; Paul O'Connell never flinched and Brian O'Driscoll was once more giant. Yet with two minutes to go it was the much-maligned O'Gara who stood up to the moral challenge of winning the game. He did not fail his team or his country.
The Grand Slam of 1948 was the beginning of a golden era. For four years they dominated the championship and another clean sweep was only averted by a draw in Swansea. This team can now kick on and dominate Europe all the way to the World Cup in 2011.
Hayes and some others may not be there and replacements must be found. This performance will influence the growth of the game and guarantee money in recession times. The country will be the better for this and we will be able to look at the dark clouds knowing that our innate belief in the future can see us through.
Composite 1948/2009 team: Kearney; Mullan, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, Fitzgerald; Kyle, Stringer; Daly, Mullen (C), Hayes; O'Connell, Nelson; McKay, McCarthy, Wallace
- George Hook
