Ben Healy has Rolex wrists and eyes on the back of his head.
24-0 up and cruising towards a bonus point, Ben Healy sniffed out an opportunity. The phases were threatening to build around the try-line, Ireland wanted to put it to bed before half-time.
Colm Reilly to Jake Flannerry, Jake Flannerry to Ben Healy. Healy had some work to do with winger Rob Russell crying out for it.
Not a bother on him. Healy imporvised cleverly to take the slightly misdirected pass, taking it on his outside before flinging it through the arms and out the wrong side. A piece of North Tipperary magic. Russell ran it over.
Watch the reverse pass in all its glory here.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1139063951633846274
Russell's try would help Ireland to a convincing 38-14 bonus point victory over the Italians in their final group game though they would narrowly miss out on qualification for the semi-finals of the tournament.
As despite the bonus point, Noel McNamara's side's unfortunate loss against Australia proved costly with the Aussies as well as France, South Africa and Argentina all finishing with more points than them and qualifying for the last four.
This Irish team can hold their heads high though. And rugby fans can be safe in the knowledge that there are plenty of good things coming down the tracks with the team having played some splendid rugby out in Argentina.
Next up is England or Wales in the fifth place play-off where they will look to build on their strong Pool stage showing.
That splendid rugby we talk about was stamped all over that first half in Santa Fe. Birr man Michael Milne grounded for the first try but their score of the tournament came a while later when some tremendous hands set up centre Cormac Foley for the finish.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1139065140593254400
There are good things coming!
