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New Zealand 14
Ireland 12
THE IRELAND MEN’S 7s team will face defending back-to-back champions Fiji in the Olympic quarter-finals this evening in Paris [KO 9pm Irish time, RTÉ2] after losing their last pool game against New Zealand on a 14-12 scoreline.
James Topping’s side weren’t able to follow up yesterday’s wins against South Africa and Japan with a third pool victory, meaning they now face the huge task of downing the Fijians in tonight’s quarter-finals at Stade de France.
Fiji have won all 15 of their matches at the last three Olympics since 7s rugby was introduced to the Games back in 2016, with their form so far in Paris suggesting they have an excellent chance of claiming a third title. They beat hosts France to seal top spot in Pool C earlier today.
Captain Harry McNulty and his team will feel they should have won against New Zealand in Paris, spurning close-range opportunities on several occasions.
Ireland missed a fine early chance as Hugo Keenan knocked on a few metres out from the tryline, the Kiwis responding by nearly breaking out from deep only to spill the ball forward themselves.
It was the impressive Zac Ward who stamped his quality all over the game as half time approached, skinning Fehi Fineanganofo on the outside for a sensational score down the right wing.
Ward then went up to reclaim Mark Roche’s restart and after another controlled passage of Irish possession, playmaker Terry Kennedy produced a deft offload to send speedster Jordan Conroy over close to the posts.
Roche’s conversion had Ireland 12-0 ahead at half time but the Kiwis hit back straight after the break as the brilliant Leroy Carter broke through the middle for a try converted by Akuila Rokolisoa.
Ireland steadied themselves and regained control of the game with their possession-heavy approach and came close to another score only to be turned over by Andrew Knewstubb metres from the Kiwi tryline.
That meant a big defensive effort was needed as the game entered its final 90 seconds but the New Zealanders had the quality to break the Irish resistance as Ngarohi McGarvey-Black finished from close range after a sweeping passage of attack.
From wide on the right, Knewstubb landed a brilliant conversion to nudge New Zealand in front.
Ireland had one final possession to rescue a win but another breakdown turnover confirmed that Topping’s men will have to take on the Fijians tonight.
New Zealand scorers:
Tries: Leroy Carter, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
Conversions: Akuila Rokolisoa [1 from 1], Andrew Knewstubb [1 from 1]
Ireland scorers:
Tries: Zac Ward, Jordan Conroy
Conversions: Mark Roche [1 from 2]
NEW ZEALAND: Akuila Rokolisoa, Moses Leo, Regan Ware, Leroy Carter, Fehi Fineanganofo, Dylan Collier (captain), Scott Curry.
Replacements: Tepaea Cook-Savage, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Andrew Knewstubb, Tone Ng Shiu, Brady Rush.
IRELAND: Jordan Conroy, Hugo Keenan, Terry Kennedy, Mark Roche, Harry McNulty (captain), Zac Ward, Niall Comerford.
Replacements: Andrew Smith, Gavin Mullin, Hugo Lennox, Chay Mullins, Jack Kelly.
Referee: Jordan Way [Australia].
Written by Murray Kinsella and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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The Labour party, always well meaning in opposition, talk the talk until the get in to government the wou6 make any right wing party proud .
How do I run for the election? I could do with a 6 figure salary and absolutely no consequences for telling lies or doing anything wrong in my job. #VoteMe
@TheMinisterForCraic: and expenses so you can buy lunch for your cronies without needing receipts!
@Tessa Madden: I’ll buy everyone who votes for me lunch. I’ll also promise you anything you want just for your vote. Then when I get in I’ll do whatever I want in terms of decisions, I’ll ignore all of the promises I said and I’ll fill my pockets as much as I can in this short time in charge because I couldn’t careless about the future of Ireland, the future of my own family is all I care about it. #VoteMe
@TheMinisterForCraic: not to mention a fat pension for life after the gravy train reaches the terminus.
Ivana Back? Is she new, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of her or of her having an opinion no one asked.
@This time its personable!: Poor Ivana. God love her. She should cop on and get a real job.
Jesus labour are the gift that keep on giving ha. Alan Kelly in charge and all of a sudden then thobk they have a conscience. Would make ya possibly get them your No.4 vote. Almost. God love her hasn’t a hope and either do FG on retaining the seat, with their voice of a generation ( with supreme Court parents and grandparents) candidate. Both really understand the working man
Another Has Been
@pat seery: you have to be someone to start with before you become a has been…
@pat seery: Very poor grammar. “Another was”.
@Paul Jude Redmond: A neverwasser
If people don’t get out and vote, nothing will change.
@Jules:
Vote for who?
@The Grand Nagus: whoever you choose, but vote. The generally low turnout of voters perpetuates the poor standard of government
@Jules: no it’s the candidates that perpetuates the poor stand of government!
@JongaFe: it’s both
Can’t stand listening to her, still trying to get into Government hopefully not a hope
Labour’s vision of Ireland became FGs version of Ireland when in government. Reduced to six seats , thats when they discovered the road to Damascus moment..
Just a question. Has Ivana won a “popular vote” election in the past?
Some people just can’t take no for an answer
Serial loser going to lose another election.
Another well heeled socialist.. Like Mickey D’s daughter, if you can’t win a real election take a handy number in the Senate spouting oh so progressive platitudes that mean nothing. Our political class are useless. Bacik offers nothing only soundbites for affluent liberals. Labour lost touch with working people a long time ago.
There hasn’t been a good leader of the Labour Party since Dick Spring, Ivana puts her name forward in every election that arises, seanad, council, presidentdency and now have another go at becoming a TD, which she has done enough time and not be elected, this by-election is in constituency where I live, personally I can’t see her been elected, certainly not by residents who live in the working class areas such as myself.
Zzzzzzzz
You have to hopes no hope and Bob hope
Absolutely useless person. Chocolate teapot springs to mind. Never forget labour cutting the ribbon on a soup kitchen.
Bacik has never been elected. That is not going to change.
As she takes a 70,000eur a year salary from taxpayers for her unelected position of senator, she can properly be regarded as a thief.
The Seanad is a stain on Irish democracy.
Bacik is too smart for her own good. Lacks personality. You would never win an arguement against her. Pity as she got bags of potential.
@Rob Jones: if she was that great she wouldn’t have failed to be elected in any of her 3 previous attempts at a Dail seat.
@Rob Jones: Being an excellent lawyer doesn’t make her a good public representative. She should stick to law and teaching. She has no chance. Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.
@Paul Whitehead: “Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.” Don’t forget Alan Kelly and Eamon ‘Labour’s way or Frankfort’s Way’ Gilmore. No way Labour…Just go away.
@Billy Big Baws: the comment about her name is uncalled for. It’s a Czech name i think
A health and welfare service from CABLE to the grave ??? So when does this service become available?
Bacik is head and shoulders in intellect above most Irish politicians which means of course she’s never elected. I’m amazed she’s never got in somewhere. I’d vote for her if I was in DB South. I don’t always agree with her but at least she has ideas
Whatever your views on the Labour Party Ivana Bacik is a good opreator with a long track record on social issues and would be a great addition to the Dáil. She does not deserve the negativity on show in these comments.
Any prospective candidate talking about house prices from this constituency smacks of hypocrisy.
@Billy Big Baws: Igno rant, rac ist lo ut.
She does know and remember labours vision changes when they get into government..what was it… labours way not frankfurts way
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