Brave Scots defeat Irish in Six Nations
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Dan Parks
Australian-born flyhalf Dan Parks kicked Scotland to a last day Six Nations win over Ireland on Saturday and then said his success was down to taking his boots into the shower with him.
The Glasgow No.10 had already kicked 15 points when, with two minutes remaining, he was faced with a tricky penalty from 35 metres out wide on the left and the score tied at 20-20.
Parks, defying the jeers of a crowd of more than 80,000, kept his nerve and deliberately set his kick out wide to the left, to take account of the breeze.
He then had the satisfaction of seeing the ball curve in, right between the posts to seal Scotland’s 23-20 victory – their only win of this Six Nations.
“I get a lot of grief from the guys about looking after my boots all the time and shining them up after each session,” said Parks.
“But the Gilberts came good for me today, certainly.
“Every training session, I’ll always take my boots into the shower with me and clean them up. I like to look after my stuff.”
As for the taunts, Parks, said he could not care less once the ball was on its way.
“I knew if I hit it perfectly, it would go through, and I hit it perfectly.”
Meanwhile Scotland coach Andy Robinson praised his side for finally “getting over the wire”.
Scotland’s first win of the Championship meant they avoided the wooden spoon while denying Ireland the Triple Crown in what was the hosts’ final match at Croke Park.
For former England boss Robinson, this was his first Six Nations win as Scotland coach and the team’s first in Dublin since 1998.
“I’m feeling really pleased for the players and the Scotland management team and the supporters,” Robinson said.
“To get over the wire was really, really pleasing. That was the key element: being able to work out how to win the game.”
Robinson, while praising Parks, said the impact of No 8 Johnnie Beattie’s first half try had had a huge effect upon the match.
“It makes a difference when you score a try,” said Robinson, whose side had failed to cross their opponents’ line in five of his previous seven games as coach.
Up front, Scotland caused major disruption to Ireland’s normally reliable lineout and former England flanker Robinson said: “Ireland base their game on a very strong lineout platform but we were able to disrupt that line-out ball, which was very good.”
Scotland, who conceded a 10-point lead in the final four minutes of their 31-24 loss to Wales last month and were held to a 15-15 draw by England last weekend, had their resolve challenged again when Ireland fought back to level the match at 17-17 heading into the final 16 minutes.
“That was the test for us,” said Scotland captain Chris Cusiter.
“With what’s happened this championship and how some of the other games have gone, I’m really pleased with what happened in that period,” the scrum-half added.
“I don’t think anybody outside the dressing room before the game felt like we were capable of winning the game, but we knew it.”
Robinson added: “They didn’t feel sorry for themselves; they went out there and said, ‘We’re going to go out and beat Ireland’.”
For Ireland, the reigning Grand Slam champions, this was their second loss of this Six Nations after their 33-10 defeat by France last month and not even tries by captain Brian O’Driscoll, who ended the match with a twisted knee, and wing Tommy Bowe could prevent Scotland’s deserved success.
“We have to give Scotland credit for playing a good game and keeping the scoreboard ticking over,” said Ireland coach Declan Kidney. “It’s so disappointing – the venue, the result, everything that was at stake.”
AFP
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