Scottish heart and Irish luck deliver for world cup
November 6th 2008 08:16
Australia may not have been defeated but the performances from both Scotland and Ireland in this league world cup gives evidence that this sport is not a one horse race. Two so called minnows with little to play for have delivered a cunning display of football that gives hope of league blossoming in the northern hemisphere.
Although Fiji and Samoa are not the world’s greatest opposition, Scotland and Ireland are a tier below and not many gave them a chance to even purchase a point in their group.
Yet here they are on the verge of a semi-final playoff against some of the most dominating nations on the planet. The Bravehearts from Scotland and the luck of the Irish all shone together in a history making moment in international league.
Scotland’s victory over highly fancied Fiji was their first win in a world cup ever. After five consecutive world cup losses starting eight years ago, the Scots have finally broken threw the barriers of being a novice at international level.
Ireland meanwhile delivered a cunning display of attacking football to overwhelm sleeping giants Samoa, who themselves are filled with NRL talent.
But with a five star display from Pat Richards, Ireland had too much energy to spare for the Samoans, and recorded a win that keeps them alive in this world cup.
Considering the lack of interest in this tournament in Europe, the performances of both Scotland and Ireland will do a lot in bringing international league that bit closer to global recognition.
Their victories over league obsessed nations has provided them with a hope to perhaps achieve something remarkable out of a tournament that really has only one winner.
That perspective however is the last thing on Irish and Scottish minds at this very moment.
After awe inspiring wins, both Ireland and Scotland approach a future that many thought would not be there three weeks ago. They are now staring a semi final playoff spot in the face.
Indeed they are just one win away from securing their own slice of league history - which has been one dominated by green and gold success.
But could this be a dawn of a new era in international rugby league? Judging from the two upsets yesterday, one cannot deny the future of international league may at last have competition.
Scotland and Ireland will now only grow in skill and confidence, holding on to a hope that now seems more of a reality than ever before.
As they approach their last round of matches, both Scotland and Ireland will play significant roles in determining if international league is really worth witnessing.
There is no reason now to suggest both these sides will get knocked out in the group stages. A quarter final birth beckons for the European nations.
If both Ireland and Scotland consolidate their great showings and make it through to the quarter finals, they will be eye to eye with history when they come up against much bigger hurdles than the ones just cleared.
In saying that, no one expected them to clear one hurdle, let alone challenging ones such as Fiji and Samoa.
Whether it be luck or a brave heart, Ireland and Scotland have shown that impossible is nothing.
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