Ireland down at the break
HALF-TIME: Wales 10 Ireland 3
Ireland go in at half-time trailing 10-3 to a dominant Wales in the sides’ Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Wales made a brilliant start with Shane Williams crossing after just two minutes.
Rhys Priestland slotted the touchline conversion, but then it was Wales’ turn to come under pressure as Ireland went desperately close to breaching the whitewash.
The blustery wind was playing a critical role in the game with Ireland declining three tricky shots at goal in favour of line-outs.
A combination of robust defence and handling errors by Ireland enabled the Welsh to escape until a penalty from Ronan O’Gara finally got Ireland on the scoreboard after 25 minutes.
However Leigh Halfpenny retorted with a penalty for Wales three minutes later to restore the seven-point lead, and Wales held on until the whistle.
