 |
| ** Ireland battle to win over USA  |
Takudzwa Ngwenya of USA runs with the ball during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Ireland and the USA on September 11, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
( September 10, 2011 - Photos by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac)
**
Ireland got their World Cup campaign off to a stuttering start with a 22-10 win over USA at the Taranaki Stadium in New Plymouth on Sunday.
The match was played in rainy conditions and although Ireland held the upper hand in most facets of play, they struggled to breach their opponents' defence.
They only scored three tries, which means that they failed to secure a bonus point.
Ireland's forwards illustrated their dominance with the first scrum of the match when they shoved their opponents off the ball and that scene was repeated on numerous occasions during the rest of the match.
*
Man of the match: Ireland's front-row of Mike Ross, Rory Best and Tom Court for the demolition job they did on the USA pack in the scrums.
Moment of the match: The 40th minute when Tommy Bowe got in for the opening try of the match. Up to that point Ireland were kept out by a fine defensive effort from USA.
**
Paul O'Connell of Ireland wins the line out
**
next test:
9-15
USA v Russia
New Plymouth
*
9-17
Ireland v Australia
Auckland
***
