When Taranaki play in New Plymouth this park is dubbed the Bull Ring. But it feels a whole lot more cosmopolitan than that tonight.
The USAEagles team will be sentimental favourites for most today, given that this match is played on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Strictly speaking this is not true, for New Zealander's awoke on September the 12th 2001 to discover the world had changed, but why let that spoil the sentiment?
The Irish team have plenty of support at the ground however and they are in fine voice. Hopefully the sodden pitch allows some free spirited footy as these teams open their campaigns.
If the first seven minutes are anything to go by this looks like it could be the most one-sided contest so far - the Irish look to have a visceral dominance upfront, and have a dangerous back line to boot.
But Ireland fail to take easy points from an early penalty, and then struggle with their handling in the tricky conditions.
Ironically one of the standout American players is centre Paul Emerick which sounds a lot like Limerick in the commentary.
There was a big centre called Paul
Who was always strong on the ball.
He hoodwinked the other team.
By sounding like one of them.
And thus created confusion for all.
After 17 minutes the Irish look the stronger unit, but only have a 3-0 lead from the boot of the Daniel Carter-ish Jonathan Sexton. Then the USA have a better spell around 20 minutes but fail to convert a penalty to bring them level. Every time Emerick touches the pill they look likely.
The only truly world class player on the pitch is Brian O'Driscoll. His first touch at 30 minutes nearly results in a try but the tricky conditions foil the move. If the Irish can put the ball back in O'Driscoll's hands they will surely start to cut the Eagles up.
The first half is closed out with an assault on the Eagles line which results in a try to Tommy Bowe. At last to the Irish have broken through. They head to the break with the score at 10-0, it doesn't look like there will be any giant killing tonight then.
The first ten minutes of the second half make me look like a lier, as the Eagles emerge from the sheds with renewed vigour. They bombard the Irish until they concede a kickable penalty. The Eagles have landed! 10-3 following Patterson's kick.
But the Eagles hope is short lived. Ireland compose themselves and quickly claim tries to Rory Best and another to Bowe. At 22-3 with a quarter to play it is goodnight nurse. Still the Irish will want to press on and finish the Yanks in style, because momentum is such an important aspect of tournament play.
For the Americans, scoring a try would provide a fill up after a solid first 50 minutes.
In the end it is my man Emerick of Limerick who steals the curtain call racing away for the tournament's first intercept try. The Eagles can be happy with the 22-10 scoreline - Ireland won't be.
I'm stoked, because my own Limerick written 60 minutes ago has proved amazingly prescient. They passed the ball to him detecting and Irish lilt, and payed a 7 point price!
Final score 22-10
7 games 38 tries.
Tweet of the match- "I'm thinking to myself- "what's the worst thing that can happen on 9/11" - and then I switched on the match" @The_Real_Wayno (posted about the dreary 35 minute mark)
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