Player ratings: Ireland run out of puff

Ireland ran into a red brick wall, as Wales beat the Men from the Emerald Isle 22-10 in their World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday.

The swarming Welsh defence proved too much for the Irish runners, who often looked lost for ideas – especially late in the second half when they were chasing the game.

Ireland also wasted a few early chances, going for line-outs instead of kicking for goal, and getting no reward – shattering their World Cup dream.

Jan de Koning rates the Irish players:

15 Robert Kearney:
He produced some strong first-half runs, threatened the Welsh defence on occasion and made good metres. He also easily handled the Welsh bombs.
6/10

14 Tommy Bowe:
He won a crucial turnover and produced a number of strong runs, breaking tackles and making good ground. He was the most threatening of the Irish backs.
7/10

13 Brian O’Driscoll (captain):
There was big hit on Jonathan Davies that showed his intent early on. He was big on defence and stopped a threatening Welsh move with a timely interception. He then produced a classic break that eventually resulted in a penalty that Ronan O’Gara kicked for Ireland’s first points, to go along with a crucial penalty won just before half-time. However, there was a knock-on at a crucial stage in the second half when Ireland were trailing 10-22 and looking to get back into the game.
6/10

12 Gordon D’Arcy:
Threw a poor inside pass that handed the ball back to Wales when Ireland were pressing hard, looking for an early try. He tried stepping his way through the Welsh defence, but found very few gaps. Then missed a tackle on Mike Phillips down the blind, allowing the Welsh scrumhalf to score a very crucial try.
5/10

11 Keith Earls:
Lost the ball in Ireland’s first attack and it resulted in Wales’ first try, but he did so well to dive early and get over for Ireland’s first try. Had plenty of strong runs, but also slipped a crucial tackle.
5/10

10 Ronan O’Gara:
He lost the ball just metres from the Irish line. He overcooked a touch-kick, costing his team about 50 metres, and then overcooked another just before half-time. He did show his value as a goalkicker, but it was not a surprise that he was taken off early in the second half.
4/10

9 Conor Murray:
Did well on his first kick-receive, but otherwise was no more than a link – passing 66 of the 70-odd balls he received. Also no surprise that he was changed early in the second half.
5/10

8 Jamie Heaslip:
Mainly reduced to a defensive role, although he made plenty of tackles. However, he was not nearly as effective as earlier in the tournament and was easily bundled into touch by Sam Warburton.
5/10

7 Sean O’Brien:
Again produced a number of powerful carries – as he has been all tournament – and a crucial steal early in the second half. Pushed his tackle count into double figures, but also slipped a couple.
6/10

6 Stephen Ferris:
He produced a number of strong carries ion the first half, but was reduced mainly to a defensive role and – along with hooker Rory Best – produced the highest tackle-count of the Irish.
6/10

5 Paul O’Connell:
Worked very hard throughout the game, especially on defence, but looked ponderous at times. Under pressure in early line-outs, but handled it well. Stole two off the Welsh thrown.
5/10

4 Donncha O’Callaghan:
Got bowled over by Jamie Roberts in the lead-up to Wales’ first try. He did take his own line-outs and stole a Welsh line-out, but handed one back in the second half. Also slipped a crucial tackle.
5/10

3 Mike Ross:
Very quiet in fast-moving first half, but made a few valuable tackles. However, he disappeared for long periods.
4/10

2 Rory Best:
Battled through the pain barrier with a dodgy shoulder – carrying the ball up often and making plenty of tackles, along with Ferris the most of the Irish.
6/10

1 Cian Healy:
Plenty of carries, but lost the ball in contact five metres out and then won a crucial penalty early in the second half when Wales were threatening. Conceded a scrum penalty about 10 minutes later and slipped a tackle on Jonathan Davies that let Wales in for a crucial third try.
3/10

Replacements:

16 Sean Cronin:
Not used.

17 Tom Court:
Not used.

18 Donnacha Ryan (on for Stephen Ferris, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

19 Denis Leamy (on for Jamie Heaslip, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

20 Eoin Reddan (on for Conor Murray, 56th min):
A few decent kicks, but then a crucial knock-on that gifted Wales an attacking scrum on the Irish 22. Also slipped a tackle.
5/10

21 Jonathan Sexton (on for Ronan O’Gara, 56th min):
Made not impact on the game – a few passes, a creeping cross-field run and a couple of tackles.
5/10

22 Andrew Trimble (on for Keith Earls, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.