World Cup Qualifier – Round Three
If the Rugby World Cup committee was hoping for some drama next year, they got it in bucket-loads in Parma today.
For Ireland and Scotland it was all or nothing. For much of the game the Irish looked well on top, yet the half-time score read 5-8 against them.
The pack meant business, Stacey Flood managed the game capably, and there was always the threat coming from that back three, Parsons-Murphy Crowe-Considine.
But it was Linda Djougang who had the first success. On eighteen minutes she picked the ball off the ground, then proceeded to move past five opponents and three would-be tackles to go over the line. It was an astonishing solo score. (5-0)
Clara Munarini awarded Scotland two penalties in a row. As they mounted an assault in the line, Edel McMahon was yellowed for a high tackle. Helen Nelson kicked the penalty. (5-3)
Scotland attacked again through the threes to the left, but once checked, they lacked control at the ruck and Ireland could clear.
Both sides were untidy in their handling, so many promising attacks came to nothing. But as the break approached, everything clicked for Scotland. Jade Konkel, who was immense as usual, drove off a scrum and Hannah Smith carved her way through the middle. Finally Nelson produced a wicked chip over the top into the right-hand corner. Sure enough, Rhona Lloyd was the first to claim the ball. So rather against the run of play the half-time score read:
Ireland 5 Scotland 8
The game swung further against the Irish. A Scottish penalty placed them on the 5m line from where the pack produced a series of drives. Eventually Lana Skeldon was awarded the try from under a pile of bodies. (5-13) This was not what the pundits had been predicting (who, me?).
Ireland had the answer. They denied Scotland the ball for long periods till Flood kicked a penalty. (8-13). Scotland haven’t had much practice at hanging on to a lead in recent seasons, and there was still half-an-hour to go.
Sure enough, the next score came to the Irish. They mounted a big raid as the forwards pounded towards the line. The ball swung right and there was Lindsey Peat to finish the job. She drummed the ball into the ground in triumph. (15-13)
Just three minutes later things grew darker for the Scots as Flood popped another penalty over. (18-13) This was how nearly everyone expected the game to go. The Scots were tiring as their game-management didn’t allow for energy-saving clearances. Most of Nelson’s kicks landed straight in the arms of Ireland’s back three; that meant more heavy defensive chores.
But they stuck to their task. Ireland’s position worsened when Eve Higgins received a yellow for a dangerous tackle on Lisa Thomson. She was lucky not to see red; Thomson’s head almost hit the ground first.
The tension, already great, increased. Scotland produced another drive which finished over the line, but as the backs leapt in the air, Munarini ordained ‘held up’.
With 78 minutes on the clock the Irish dropped out from their line, and the Scots tried again. Quite astonishingly, considering how exhausted they were, they produced a lovely move, the ball swinging right. On the end of the line was Chloe Rollie. She was through and had the space and time to run in much closer to the posts. (18-18)
A (free) trip to New Zealand now depended on Sarah Law’s boot. It proved a loyal friend. The ball sailed over. Scotland had won.
It’s doubtful whether the emotions that will be witnessed at the final whistle of next year’s World Cup will come anywhere near what we now saw at the Sergio Lanfranchi Stadium in Parma. Tears were shed on both sides, but the emotions were at the opposite ends of the spectrum.
Scotland live on to qualify for the next repechage where they will meet Samoa, Colombia and one other nation to decide the final qualifier of all. It would be their first RWC since 2010.
For Ireland it was the bitterest of defeats.
Result: Ireland 18 Scotland 20
Officials:
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR) and Maria Giovanna Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)
