Courage comes in many forms and has rarely been personified better than by astonishing 37-phase attack in overtime
New Zealand's Leicester Fainga'anuku and Ireland's Mack Hansen in flight for the ball during last night's quarter-final. Photograph: Franck Fife/Getty Images
Ireland lost three lineouts or had turnovers as a result of scrappy ball, their scrum was pinged three times, their handling was a little more imprecise than usual and they lost 11 turnovers to four by New Zealand, who were also comparatively ruthless. Albeit Ireland had to work harder for their scores, some of the attacking play was brilliant. They had way more possession, territory, passes, carries, metres, defenders beaten, made seven clean breaks to five and even had made 13 dominant tackles to 10. With a different referee than Wayne Barnes, the more attacking team might have been better rewarded.
Courage comes in many forms and has rarely been personified better than by that astonishing 37-phase attack deep into overtime, demonstrating reserves of will, strength and skill to keep pushing the passes, to keep clearing out and to keep probing. Jack Conan was close to tears as he somehow held his thoughts together after the most devastating defeat of his career.
“We’re genuinely just gutted that we couldn’t do it for them and that we couldn’t do it for Johnny, someone who deserves so much for the sacrifices he has made, for the player he is and for the man he is, for the leader that he is.
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