Irish throw WC wide open

Ireland’s win over New Zealand has done more than simply almost guarantee them a spot in their first ever World Cup semi-final – it has also made the race for the remaining positions absolutely fascinating.

Ireland will certainly beat Kazakhstan in their final round and should do so comfortably, ensuring they will top their pool and ease their way into the last four.

With their two toughest pool games behind them, it also means that coach Philip Doyle has the  luxury now of being able to rotate his squad – Ireland will be too strong either way – and give a break to the likes of Niamh Briggs, Lynne Cantwell, Claire Molloy and others, who have all been so influential so far.

After the win, the Guardian’s sports editor Ian Prior amusingly remarked on Twitter “Cat, meet pigeons” – a wry take perhaps on what Ireland’s result has done to the World Cup but an entirely accurate one.

New Zealand have now been left effectively scrapping it out with two other teams for the best runner up spot - and it will be quite a scrap,

In their favour is the huge scoreline they put on Kazakhstan which gives them an advantage in points difference, and they will going for broke against USA this weekend where they need a bonus point win and a healthy one too to keep them up there as the fourth best side from the pool stages.

But it might not all be up to them.

The other remaining key games this weekend are now England v Canada and Australia v Wales.

From a New Zealand perspective, England’s battle with Canada is key.

The English too hold a healthy ‘points for’ column and if they win here, will qualify most likely as the top seeds into the semi-finals.

But Canada have been going very well indeed so an England win is no given.

Canada, with two bonus point wins of their own, could lose with a bonus point and still qualify if New Zealand fail to get the maximum against USA.  A draw between England and Canada would also scupper New Zealand’s chances as both sides would remain ahead of them in the table regardless of what happens in the Black Ferns game.

In the other key game, Australia’s failure to get a bonus point in their opening win could come back to haunt them. If they lose, they will need a try and probably a losing bonus point at the same time to have any hope of qualifying. Given France have yet to concede a try so far, the former seems unlikely. France just need to win.

And what of Ireland after their seismic win? In doing so they demonstrated enormous belief, the kind of belief they have been building in recent years as they continue to improve, but it was more than that.

Tactically Ireland were spot on. Their defence was for the most part excellent and though they had chances they didn’t take in the opening exchanges, their two tries were very well worked.

Nobody will look forward to facing the Irish now and certainly if England do go on to face New Zealand in the semis, they will be scrutinising very closely what happened last night.