Today’s Ireland’s match with Argentina at Croke Park could be easily compared to the Rugby World Cup qualifier, as Ireland desperadly needed to win to secure the eighth place in the International Rugby Board rankings. After 80 minutes of, what could be described as bad-tempered game, four successful kicks from the boot of Ronan O’Gara and a try from Tommy Bowe sealed Ireland’s much needed win and a seeding spot in the Rugby World Cup draw.
The Pumas opened the score board with the penalty but GUINNESS man-of-the-match Ronan O’Gara set up a 3 – 3 half-time score with a well-struck effort three minutes later. Half way through the second half a penalty and drop goal from O’Gara sent Ireland 9 – 3 ahead. In the closing stages of the match O’Gara’s inch perfect cross-field kick set Tommy Bowe to score the only try of the match.
The result not only stopped Argentina beating the Irish for the fourth time in a row, but also guarantee Ireland to join the Pumas among the seeds in the draw for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.