Ireland U20s enter play-offs after crushing New Zealand defeat
Ireland's Under-20 side will now enter the play-off stream at the World Cup in Italy following a bruising 69-22 loss to New Zealand to wrap up their pool stage.
Having lost to hosts Italy in their second game in Pool C, Neil Doak's side were always facing an uphill task to make it through to the semi-finals of the tournament – and so it proved in Calvisano.
The opening minutes suggested a shock could be on the cards at the Stadio San Michele as Ireland raced into a 12-0 lead - Oisín Minogue with a fantastic bit of skill to chip the ball over Will Cole to finish before Daniel Green dotted down, Tom Wood with a conversion from the first of those two tries.
Wood would add a penalty 20 minutes in to respond to Mosese Bason's opening try for the Kiwis, but New Zealand would take over from there to lead 31-15 at the break with Xavier Treacy, Cooper Roberts, Cole and Dylan Pledger all going over.
The New Zealand tries would continue to flow on the restart, Pledger, Shaun Kempton and Maloni Kunawave all eventually finishing with a brace, with Ireland striking late through Billy Bohan, Sam Wisniewski with the successful conversion.
Bohan would be sent off minutes later for an illegal clearout.
Ireland now go into to a ninth place play-off with Scotland on Monday while New Zealand have a semi-final with France to look forward to with Argentina and South Africa meeting in the other semi-final.
New Zealand: R Simpson; F Vaenuku, C Roberts (J Cameron 54), J Wiseman, M Kunawave; W Cole (S Solomon 60-71), D Pledger (J Tamati 50); S Uamaki Pole (I Time 52), M Letiu (S Kempton 45), R Faleafa (D Johnston 52); X Treacy, J Sa (A Vakasiuola 46); F McLeod, C Woodley, M Bason (M Fale 45).
Ireland: D Green (G O'Leary Kareem 61); C Molony, C Mangan, J Scott, D Moloney; T Wood (S Wisniewski 45), W Wootton (C Logan 56); A Usanov (B Bohan 49), H Walker, A Mullan (T McAllister 49); C Kennelly, B Corrigan (D Walsh 48); E McCarthy, O Minogue (L McLaughlin 61), L Murphy (B Power 52).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba disciplined after missing All-Star Game
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended from their next club match after missing Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game against Mexico's Liga MX. Messi's club coach Javier Mascherano told reporters on Friday the Argentinian World Cup winner had sat out the showpiece due to fatigue, while Alba is believed to have sustained a knock in their previous MLS fixture. However, without approval from the league, both players were liable for sanction. "Inter Miami CF defender Jordi Alba and forward Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club's Matchday 27 game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday evening, due to their absence at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game," read an MLS statement. "Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match." Despite Messi being the major star of MLS, commissioner Don Garber said the rules had to be enforced without exception, although he was open to a future amendment. "I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don't think there's a player - or anyone - who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi," he said. "I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. "Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision. "That said, we're going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward. I'm committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve."
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Most memorable football moments from Maradona's ‘Hand of God' to Beckham's '98 red card, survey shows
DIEGO Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' has been crowned the most notorious football moment, according to a poll of fans. The diminutive Argentinian broke English hearts in 1986 when he rose above Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. 6 Charman Craig Doughty said: 'Sometimes being rubbish at football really pays off' Credit: PA Media 6 It went on to have its fortunes turned around by Specsavers with the help of Ella Toone, Gary Neville and Luke Littler Credit: Anthony Upton © 2024 6 'We were struggling to get a team together last season,' said the team, after a 17-0 losing run Credit: Anthony Upton © 2024 This was followed by Luis Suarez inexplicably biting I Also making the top five were David Beckham's red card for kicking Diego Simeone and Frank Lampard's shockingly disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup. The study also revealed many amateur players had experienced their own horrors on the football pitch, with 23 per cent enduring a Ronnie Rosenthal-style open goal blunder. The research was commissioned by Specsavers as part of its Best Worst Team series - inspired by such football faux pas, from missed goals to not hearing the refs whistle. Read more in Football The list of infamous moments on the pitch also highlighted Thierry Henry's blatant handball against Ireland in World Cup qualifying in 2009, often cited as a key reason for the introduction of VAR. Club football was also represented, including the time Carlos Tevez didn't come off the bench as a substitute for As was Darren Bent's famous 'Beach Ball Goal' – when the But for those playing in parks and pitches up and down the country, 22 per cent have been left red faced when they wildly celebrated a goal, only to realise it had actually been ruled out. Most read in Football Whereas 12 per cent of goalies have let in an absolute howler and were left lying on the ground wishing it would open to swallow them. The research, conducted via went on to find 78 per cent believe these unbelievably memorable moments are part of what makes football iconic, even if they can feel unfair. Over a third (35 per cent) prefer football when it is 'unpredictable and chaotic', as opposed to a quarter (25 per cent) who'd rather a 'fair and structured' contest. Tunley Athletic – which previously lost all 26 games, shipping 137 more goals than they scored in the process – took part in the Best Worst Team series. Maradona scores infamous 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter final against England It went on to have its fortunes turned around by Specsavers with the help of Ella Toone, Gary Neville and Luke Littler. Charman Craig Doughty said: 'Sometimes being rubbish at football really pays off. 'While it sounds funny to say it, being crowned the Best Worst Team is honestly the best thing that ever happened to us. 'We were struggling to get a team together last season and we were on a 17-0 losing run. "Team morale was at an all-time low, and we were close to folding the club. 'But this money-can't buy experience surpassed all our expectations – it was on another level. "It's given everyone such a boost, and we actually started seeing better performances on the pitch. 'The whole community is still buzzing, and we've got loads of new players joined for the new season." TOP 20 MOST MEMORABLE FOOTBALL MOMENTS EVER Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal vs England (1986) Luis Suárez biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup (2014) David Beckham's red card for kicking Diego Simeone (1998) Frank Lampard's disallowed goal vs Germany – despite the ball clearly crossing the line (2010) Brazil's 7–1 World Cup semi-final defeat at home to Germany (2014) Thierry Henry's handball vs Ireland in World Cup qualifying (2009) Rivaldo's fake injury theatrics against Turkey – getting a player sent off by feigning a face injury (2002) Carlos Tevez refusing to come on as a substitute for Manchester City (2011) The Battle of Nuremberg – Portugal vs Netherlands World Cup clash featuring 4 red cards and 16 yellows (2006) The beach ball goal – Darren Bent's strike for Sunderland deflecting off an inflatable (2009) Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer sent off for fighting each other as Newcastle teammates (2005) Gazza's dentist chair celebration (1996) The phantom goal scored by Reading against Watford that went through the side netting (2008) Jimmy Glass, a goalkeeper, saves Carlisle from relegation with a 94th minute goal (1999) Rene Higuita's scorpion kick (1995) Ronnie Rosenthal's open goal miss for Liverpool (1992) Graham Poll issuing three yellow cards to Josip Šimunić before sending him off (2006) Loris Karius' double howler in the Champions League final (2018) 19. Robert Green's goalkeeping howler gifting the USA a goal in the World Cup (2010) 20. Graeme Souness plants a Galatasaray flag on Fenerbahçe's pitch (1996) 6 'Team morale was at an all-time low, and we were close to folding the club' 6 Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal vs England (1986) was first in poll Credit: Getty 6 78 per cent of fans say unforgettable moments – fair or not – make football truly iconic
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Former All Black Brad Thorn has just one regret: he never played against the Lions
Brad Thorn achieved pretty much everything over the course of his truly extraordinary career. Famously, when completing a short-term deal with Leinster at the end of the 2011-12 season, Thorn became the first player ever to win the World Cup, Super Rugby and Heineken Cup. But there was one thing he never did, and it remains the biggest regret of his career. He never played against the Lions. It was a case of timing, for this New Zealand-born resident of Queensland – who played for the Kangaroos and the All Blacks – had returned to Rugby League with the Brisbane Broncos when the Lions visited New Zealand in 2005. 'I remember playing the Springboks in 2009 and they'd had a good ding-dong battle with the Lions. We played them in South Africa in two Tests straight after it. We're 100-year-old rivals. Usually, it's like a war but the first Test in Bloemfontein just felt flat. The energy just wasn't there. It fell flat on our side and they had a flatness too because the Lions are every 12 years for the host nation. It's such a big deal and they had put everything into it. 'You wouldn't be able to say that about many Springboks-All Blacks Tests. It just shows the emotion and the importance of a Lions tour, and that was a pretty classic series in '09.' READ MORE Thorn put his name forward to play the Lions in their warm-up match in Hong Kong in 2013 but was turned down, and thus it remained an unfulfilled ambition. So now he's a fan, like so many others. 'The Lions are big in Great Britain and Ireland, but they're huge in the southern hemisphere too. This is something that's got Aussie rugby excited for some time. It's huge, the history of it, and the thing that makes it so cool is the Lions fans. They travel so well.' Fans at the Australia v British & Irish Lions match in Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on July 19th. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Thorn was in the Suncorp Stadium – just five minutes from where he lives – last Saturday, and believes the Wallabies will be significantly better in this second Test with that game under their belts and with the return of Rob Valetini. 'He's a go-forward guy. You need that in the Test arena. You've got to have the artillery. You know the old saying, don't take a knife to a gunfight.' Thorn is also glad Tom Lynagh has been retained as the Wallabies outhalf as he is a player he coached through the Queensland Reds set-up since the age of 17. [ Joe Schmidt plots unlikely Lions scalp amid feeling of 'now or never' for Australian rugby Opens in new window ] 'I know his father and I'm so proud of him, mate, and so much respect for him. I just love the story. He could have played in Europe, but he came back to the other side of the world, where his name is legendary. That's a heavy name to carry, Lynagh. 'You meet Michael, you can't help being a little bit in awe. 'Noddy' is a legend over here and a real gentleman. Tom could have stayed in Europe but came and within a couple of weeks I had him when I took the boys to military camp, which are brutal; food deprivation, sleep deprivation, in the heat and bush of Queensland. And he got a bit of banter about his accent but he put his head down and got through that. 'He's a very skilful guy. Very similar to his father. He looks like a soft-faced boy, but he will put his body on the line. He loves to run the footy but when I was the Reds coach, I thought he had the best kicking game in Australia, just like his dad.' Australia's Tom Lynagh with his father Michael after the first Test against Lions on July 19th. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho The Lions have grown and shown more cohesion with each game, even allowing for last Tuesday's match. But for the Wallabies to have a chance of levelling the series, Thorn believes Lynagh was the right choice at outhalf. 'If I'm playing them, I want to play in the right end of the field. You wouldn't be mucking around too long in your own half. To do that you need to have an outhalf with a good kicking game and Tom's kicking game can be a strength for Australia.' Thorn is now an assistant coach with Brisbane Boys' College and believes that at grassroots level rugby union is still healthy. 'I don't think the playing numbers are too much different between league and union in Queensland. It might be 50,000 rugby/60,000 league, but as well as being 23 years since Australia's last Bledisloe Cup no Australian team has reached a Super Rugby final since 2014. 'You think about that, mate. You're trying to have heroes, you're trying to sell a game. You need to have some wins, you need to at least have teams in the final.' He describes Rugby Australia's decision to get rid of the National Rugby Championship as 'crazy', adding: 'You've got to have that level, in my opinion.' Thorn speaks with vast experience, and can reflect on an exceptional 23-year playing career which encompassed two spells at the Brisbane Broncos from 1994 to 2000 and from 2006 to 2007, and two stints in rugby union from 2001 to 2004 to 2016. New Zealand's Brad Thorn celebrates victory against France at the 2011 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park, Auckland. Photograph:In league he was part of three grand final title wins and played in the State of Origin series and for Australia. In union, he was part of the aforementioned treble title wins, playing 59 times for the All Blacks, and had fruitful stints in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, England and Ireland. 'I loved it. I just thank God for how that all played out. Basically, if you look at it, I had 10 years at the Broncos, with all those experiences, and then I had about 10 or so years in rugby. So I almost got to have two careers. I got to do them both.' [ Brad Thorn to return to top-class rugby at age 41 Opens in new window ] Thorn played until he was 41 and attributes his longevity to his assiduous preparation, something which his then Leinster team-mates still reference. He actually loved preseason and was fortunate to largely avoid injuries, unlike his brother. 'He got all the injuries I didn't get and had to stop playing as a young guy.' When playing with Leicester at the age of 40, Thorn was doing an hour's preparation before training, and then 'a foam roller, full-body stretch and a hot-cold shower after every training'. Paul O'Connell was one of those who rang Thorn to seek advice. 'A great, great guy. My message to him was, by that stage in your career, you become the expert of your own body. You listen to all the physios and doctors, and you are the best-placed guy to know where your body's at and what it needs.' If Thorn left a lasting imprint on Leinster in his three months and eight games for the province in 2012, the reverse is also true. Leinster's Brad Thorn with the trophy following their Heineken Cup Final defeat of Ulster at Twickenham in May 2012. Photograph:'I had a coffee with Joe [Schmidt] and Mike Cron a few days ago and we were talking fondly about those times. That's one of the highlights of my career. It was an absolute joy. I just felt like I connected so well, and they took me in, and my mindset was, 'Wherever I go, I'm there to serve. I'll give everything I have on and off the field, and more than what you asked for.' 'And I had great times, great battles; the game in Bordeaux against Claremont,' he added, signalling out that epic 19-15 semi-final win. 'Yeah, we went to war against them. They had internationals on the bench and we had players like Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll, Leo Cullen and Cian Healy, and also Seán O'Brien. 'We loved Ireland. Me and my wife still talk about it because my wife's heritage is half Irish and half Maltese.' On retiring in 2016, Thorn and Mary-Anne returned home to Brisbane with their four children, Brendan (who is now 21), Aiden (20), David (18) and Neva (16). On foot of coaching Queensland Country to the NRC title in 2017, he became the head coach of the Reds in advance of the 2018 season. They had finished 14th the season before and made steady progress in Thorn's six seasons at the helm, finishing seventh and eighth in 2022 and 2023 before losing quarter-finals away to the Chiefs and eventual champions the Crusaders. He had intended to stop coaching altogether but was persuaded by former Samoan international Dan Leo to be an assistant coach at Brisbane Boys' College, where he is now in his second season. 'I have four children and wherever I went, they went. We didn't leave them behind,' says Thorn, who made a vow that he and his family would stay in Brisbane until at least Neva finishes high school. 'It's been a reverse of what everyone else does. Usually you start in schools, go to a club, and then you go to the next level. I was like a baby thrown into a pool, trying to keep my head above water and learning as I went,' he says of his time with the Reds. 'I gave it my best effort and I like to think it was left in a better place when I finished. 'Les Kiss has done a good job now and I'm enjoying doing the coaching I'm doing. I'm doing other things as well and having a bit more fun with my family because as a head coach, it consumes you. It's not a nine-to-five gig, mate, but thank God I got that opportunity and we'll see what happens going forward.' Growing up in New Zealand, he had liked going to church, but his family stopped doing so for a few years after moving to Australia when he was nine. His parents and brother went back seven or eight years later and, encouraged by a good friend and Australian rugby league team-mate Jason Stephens, Thorn followed suit at the age of 23. 'Where my body is as a Christian, it perfectly aligns with a team sport. Because rugby is team first. It's not the individual first, it's the team, and caring about your mates and serving the team, and having humility. 'So, I thank Him for what you say is that great career, and getting to play all over the world. I'm so fortunate. I'm so grateful.'
