Leigh Halfpenny kicked a last-minute penalty to earn Wales a 23-21 victory over Ireland in a dramatic and incident-packed RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium
Warren Gatland’s side had twice led through a Jonathan Davies try in either half but Ireland hit back on each occasion – first through Rory Best’s try and then Tommy Bowe’s score with 13 minutes remaining.
There was a further twist in the rematch of the World Cup quarter-final when the outstanding George North went over in the corner but Halfpenny missed a tricky kick to edge Wales back in front.
The Blues star, who had taken over the kicking responsibility from the misfiring Rhys Priestland, made no mistake second time around when flanker Stephen Ferris was sinbinned for a tip tackle with just seconds remaining as he erased the ghosts of his missed penalty against France in the World Cup semi-final.
Ferris’ yellow card was not the only talking point with Bradley Davies being binned for a seemingly far worse offence with 15 minutes remaining.
There was no sign of the fireworks early on however as Jonathan Sexton slotted a third-minute penalty after an indiscretion by Ryan Jones.
The tables were quickly turned when lock Davies got free down the left but despite pounding away five metres out they could not find a way through until No.8 Jones punched his way over the line but the TMO judged the ball had not been grounded.
But they were not to be denied a second time when, on 13 minutes they forged a fabulous try down the left-hand side as Priestland offloaded superbly for Davies to touch down in the corner.
Priestland hit the post with his conversion attempt and, far less forgivably, did likewise with a penalty in front of the posts soon after.
Wales though remained in the ascendancy with Ireland seemingly unable to get out of their own half with a series of aimless kicks while Sexton was horribly off target with a penalty attempt.
But just when it looked as if the half would end in frustration for the hosts, Best struck.
For once, Ireland enjoyed a prolonged period of possession in the Wales half and a sniping break by Bowe cut open the Welsh defence before the winger offloaded to the rampaging Best to touch down. Sexton converted to give Ireland a scarcely deserved 10-5 lead at the interval.
In a further blow for Wales, talismanic captain Sam Warburton was unable to emerge for the second half with a dead leg and was replaced by Justin Tipuric who made his Six Nations debut with James Hook also coming on for Alex Cuthbert.
But Hook’s first act was to be turned over and when Rhys Gill conceded a penalty from the resulting scrum, Sexton slotted the penalty to take Ireland a score clear.
Priestland had an opportunity to respond but made an even worse hash of his penalty than he had done in the first half and when Wales had another attempt at goal Leigh Halfpenny took the tee and made no mistake to make it 13-8.
And in a blink of an eye Wales were back in the lead on 56 minutes when they went long form a lineout, North broke through two tackles and offloaded one handed for the supporting Davies to straighten his line and go under the posts. Halfpenny converted.
The game now had some real ebb and flow with Ireland suddenly on the attack Sexton was able to nudge Ireland back in front.
It was a tantalisingly poised match but the contest, and Donnacha Ryan, were seemingly turned on its head by Davies’ dangerous tip tackle on the Irish replacement.
A yellow card was the least it deserved and Ireland immediately made the most of the man advantage when they spread the ball quickly from left to right with Kearney putting Bowe over in the corner.
Sexton missed with a tricky conversion and was then off target with a penalty that might have settled the contest.
Wales took full advantage of remaining in the contest when North finished off a flowing move in the corner.
Halfpenny’s conversion was off target but he showed nerves of steel to slot the winning penalty moments later as Ireland were left to come to terms with another galling defeat at the hands of Wales.