Andy Farrell refuses 'sour grapes' over specific aspect of Ireland loss
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has refused to complain about the officiating of the scrums during his side's heartbreaking 28-24 Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to New Zealand in Paris.
Renowned scrummager Andrew Porter conceded a raft of penalties at scrum time, even when Ireland seemed to have the physical ascendancy at the setpiece.
When asked about the number of penalties Ireland conceded, Farrell refused to complain about referee Wayne Barnes' interpretation of the scrum, even if Ireland came out the wrong side of that particular battle.
“We have a different view of the scrum out there. But we don’t want to sit here with sour grapes," said Farrell.
“The scrum was part of the equation and Andrew [Porter] was frustrated with what was going go out there. But congratulations to New Zealand.
"I mean if you go out with a whimper it's pretty hard to take, isn't it. We deserve a little bit more of ourselves than that and we didn't, did we.
"I'm immensely proud of absolutely everyone connected to Irish rugby to be fair. The staff have been immense over the last four years. The players, not just in this squad but the players we've used in the four year cycle have been a joy to work with. And not just that, the connection with the fans, it seems like it's all one big family.
"I think the sad thing now for us is that for this group it's probably the end. Obviously, it is for Johnny (Sexton), and Keith Earls he is going to retire as well.
"Over the next 24 hours it's time to make sure we get a smile back on our face as soon as we possibly can and celebrate what has been some unbelievable careers and what they have done for Irish rugby.
“I'm unbelievably proud of the group, everyone that's been involved over the last couple of years. That was one hell of a game and somebody had to lose - unfortunately it was us tonight."
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> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
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