When did it suddenly become winter?
When Ireland set off to Celtic Manor on their Rugby World Cup adventure, there was still some heat in that sun, Joseph Duffy was headlining UFC Dublin and we couldn’t even dream of beating Germany in a Euro 2016 Qualifier. Never going to happen.
Now, with New Zealand and Australia facing off in the final, in leafy Twickenham, we can only reflect on a tournament that had just about everything… except some Irish history-making.
Here are some of our most memorable #RWC2015 moments.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Best of luck, everyone.
Dear Paulie & the boys, please light our fire at #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/a8pVHQHUp8
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 17, 2015
POOL STAGE
Bad start for ITV
I'm sorry, did the ITV commentator really just say Fijians will be gather around the 1 village TV hoping the satellite signal doesn't die?
— Dr Catherine Bateson (@catbateson) September 18, 2015
ITV commentator Nick Mullins was referring to remarks made by the Fijian coach, before they faced England, but, having offered no context, took the brunt of social media heat for a while.
Once it was all sorted, Fijian winger Nemani Naholo offered to share a pint with Mullins.
I hold u to it.. 😉 https://t.co/KEbdATumFT
— nemzy (@nemani_nadolo) September 24, 2015
Japan stun South Africa and thrill the world
The Brave Blossoms weren’t settling for no draw as they spurned a kick at the posts to go for victory over the mighty Springboks. It was frantic as hell but they pulled it off in dramatic, added time style.
Here's what #RWC2015 hashtag looked like as #JPN scored that last minute winning try against #RSA pic.twitter.com/Tu0S5f5WSA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 19, 2015
Paul O’Connell not impressed with his English decor
Ireland settled into the English FA headquarters but the bedroom decorations left a lot for Paulie to desire. He tweeted out the link to this Instagram snap:
https://instagram.com/p/73j77Flfwj/
The Alton Towers trip more than made up for it.
Day 4 #DansFavouritePhoto today @DanSheridan2012 caught the lads a little shook up on the rest day #CatchingFlys pic.twitter.com/0d6CjqM3Tv
— Cian Healy (@ProperChurch) September 24, 2015
JP Doyle shows that respect is a two-way street
The Irish referee spoke French and pidgin Georgian to get his point across to some of the Georgia players in their Pool C match with Namibia.
https://twitter.com/stasbutler/status/647447746727821313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/gallagherbren/status/647447193398456320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Another reason why pitch invading a rugby game is a bad, bad idea
Never pitch invade the rugby http://t.co/5lHrQjpKL8 #RSAvSAM #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/CkQ7dsRJ5y
— Menzi Kulati (@menzikulati) September 27, 2015
Warren Gatland popping up to celebrate Wales’ win in front of the English team bus
England tried to follow Japan’s lead by going for an attacking lineout maul rather than taking a draw. It blew up in their face as Wales counter-mauled and flung them out of play.
Never one to gloat, is Gats…
Look who I ran into outside the England bus, only Wales Coach Warren Gatland! #ENGvWAL http://t.co/sJzBK5Jewt
— Kenny Logan (@KennyLogan) September 26, 2015
The only Romanian player to have fond memories of losing 44-10 to Ireland?
Florin Surugiu proposed to his girlfriend in front of a rapidly emptying Wembley Stadium. She said yes. He was chuffed.
https://twitter.com/GaryTraynor1/status/648197451598405633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
French players continued to not give a toss about England’s travails
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/648383743758102528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Uruguayan prop Oscar Duran made is all feel a little better about our lives, and girth
Pic via @RugbyBanterPag3
A battered Wales beat Fiji but lost more players to injury
https://twitter.com/mcgeebers/status/649634315349946368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Jamie Cudmore’s espionage
The veteran Canada lock has picked up the lingo in France thanks to his days at Clermont.
Some of Les Bleus did not appreciated his eavesdropping joke.
https://twitter.com/BeanBagSports/status/649684385806057472
Mamuka Gorgodze learning he won man-of-the-match against New Zealand
He can't believe it! Mamuka Gorgodze realises he's man of the match, & possibly the most popular man in the stadium!https://t.co/ti7BlOvsBf
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 2, 2015
England trolled HARD after their World Cup exit
The tournament hosts were humbled by the Wallabies, forcing apologies from their coach and captain and comedic gold such as this:
https://twitter.com/ihearthestia/status/650414638002274304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Diego Maradona showed up to party with Argentina after they defeated Georgia
He promised he would be back for the semi-finals but the Pumas would, most likely, have to get past Ireland first…
ICYMI: Diego Maradona leads the post-match celebrations as @unionargentina beat #TGA #RWC2015https://t.co/HFb0v3oNln
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 4, 2015
‘Big time’ Johnny Sexton was compared by Zlatan
Yep, that actually happened.
Ireland rugby star compared to #PSG's #Zlatan Ibrahimovic – neither will like this.http://t.co/NQQX4PnTny pic.twitter.com/VN8jjwIWbG
— Mirror EFL (@MirrorEFL) October 11, 2015
Shane Long’s winner against Germany drew high praise from Joe Schmidt
The day after Martin O’Neill’s side beat the world champions, Schmidt was asked if he had tuned in.
“It was a super effort,” he replied. “Shane Long’s touch and finish was exceptional. You have to take your hat off to that skill.”
BREAKING
Joe Schmidt to start Shane Long against France.#COYBIG #IREvGER #IREvFRA
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) October 8, 2015
Secret to New Zealand’s success revealed
TIL: The @AllBlacks eat bananas at halftime just like us regular folk. #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/qiNv8fsohs
— USA Sevens Rugby (@USASevensRugby) October 9, 2015
Fr BOD bowled over by Australia’s gutsy win over Wales
The Wallabies were down to 13 men at one stage but still defended their line in last-ditch, bruising fashion. Their performance got nearly as many tweets as Brian O’Driscoll’s ITV punditry get-up.
https://twitter.com/TheMurphstar/status/652913142033354752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Ireland beat France but the physical toll was massive
O'Connell, Sexton and O'Mahony injured. O'Brien due to be cited for a punch. Battle won. War lost.
— Fergal O'Donnell (@fod95) October 11, 2015
Sean O’Brien didn’t help matters
His punch on Pascal Papé had the entire Irish nation reading up on citings and throwing around whatever conspiracy theory that would help.
Ireland's Sean O'Brien wasn't too happy about Pascal Pape holding his jersey. Pape took it well in fairness. #RWChttps://t.co/CszdwrkHrs
— Vernons Sports (@BetVernons) October 12, 2015
Rory McIlroy’s brilliant response to this troll cheered us up
There was no miraculous comeback for Ireland’s captain
“A significant hamstring injury” ended O’Connell’s World Cup, and Irish rugby career.
A leader, a warrior, a gentleman – @Paul_OConnell has played his last for Ireland. #ShoulderToShoulder #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/xNmt6YqIpX
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 13, 2015
This is so wrong on many levels. One of the greatest leaders & players of them all. Inspirational. https://t.co/8blR5e2tJp
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 13, 2015
ROG summed it up best of all:
My sadness is tinged with absolute pride having spent 16 years with one of Rugby's greatest competitors.#gentleman #Leader #1ofakind
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) October 13, 2015
Adam Ashley Cooper’s touching gesture to a dying friend
The Australian winger rushed up to celebrate his side topping Pool A with his old teammate Guy Grinham, who passed away from cancer 48 hours later.
Una gran y emotiva historia que hace que nos sintamos más orgullosos aún del #rugby ¡Chapó @rodrigoconfh! https://t.co/wUkp0UV2ZG
— Lorena Lofish (@LorenaLofish) October 29, 2015
QUARTER FINALS
English prop reminded us why we didn’t miss his team one bit
I would like to wish all the northern hemisphere sides in the World Cup quarters a massive good luck…….. But I can't and I won't 😁🐢
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) October 17, 2015
No time for tweeting Joe, we’ve got a quarter final to think of.
Duane Vermeulen saves his best ’til last
Here's that unbelievable Duane Vermeulen offload that won it for #RSA pic.twitter.com/FRgSiEuPcp
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 17, 2015
Good-looking Martians and pints over on TV3
Shane Byrne wasn’t sure if the red light meant the cameras were ON or OFF
This was comical. #Martian #TV3 #Goodlooking #Pint #WALvSA @shanebyrneoffic @JOEdotie @SportsJOEdotie @TV3Ireland pic.twitter.com/tJeL7ekUOq
— Stephen Cramp (@stephencramp) October 17, 2015
Julian Savea reminds us why he is called ‘The Bus’
"Julian Savea, you'll never stop the Bus! He's left roadkill everywhere"
Mehrtens on Savea's rampaging second try pic.twitter.com/xxtLC42Hdj
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 17, 2015
Hopes are high as Irish fans invade Cardiff
Fields of Athenry during New Zealand’s romp over France? Don’t mind if we do.
VIDEO: Ireland fans take over New Zealand and France game with stirring Fields of Athenry http://t.co/OI1GXBwZL9 pic.twitter.com/1cHaOuQAlR
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 17, 2015
Inspirational stuff. Bring on the Pumas!
Sexton out… wheels fall off
The Irish out-half pulled out 24 hours before the last eight clash. Ian Madigan steps in but cuts his hair for some unknown reason [possibly that it was getting long].
After 15 brutal minutes, Ireland were 17-0 down.
This game should have an 18s certificate. I need someone to hold my hand right now. #IREvARG #COYBIG
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) October 18, 2015
There was a stirring comeback but it proved a false dawn. Ireland were out.
https://twitter.com/BashingDastard/status/655743258526621696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Scotland were the Northern Hemisphere’s only hope
For about two hours. That was until South African Craig Joubert gave a last-minute penalty against them.
It was a close call but, as soon as he blew the final whistle, Joubert was not stick around to debate its merits.
https://twitter.com/MonstruoJerry/status/656424692723617792
SEMI FINALS
Sonny Bill’s sportsmanship
The All Blacks centre made a beeline for distraught Springbok Jesse Kriel in the immediate moments after a breathless semi-final encounter.
2 great teams battled it out tonight, In my eyes we are all winners. pic.twitter.com/hAkb1g27zH
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) October 24, 2015
Argentina out swinging, from inside their own 22
For their coach, Daniel Hourcade, it was all too much.
Daniel Hourcade of #ARG in tears after the match. His mother is ailing at the moment. Gotta feel for the guy pic.twitter.com/HDoDohOEke
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 25, 2015
Another four turnovers for David Pocock, who looked like he’d been attacked with a skillet
The Australian has 14 turnovers in the World Cup. No-one else is in double figures.
This is David Pocock's face today after THAT game yesterday #immense https://t.co/DBIjzn14Bs pic.twitter.com/DqOIHhRXqG
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 26, 2015
THE FINAL
And, now, the final between two sides that have nothing but respect for each other…
https://twitter.com/RugbyBanterPag3/status/659568274066141186
