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Rugby Union

O'Connell laments Irish 'naivety'

12/02/2007

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell says Ireland should have been "more wise" and taken points when they were on offer as they suffered a heartbreaking last-minute defeat to France at Croke Park.

On more than one occasion the Irish gave up an advantage and took only a small amount of territory in exchange when perhaps they would have been better advised kicking for three points.

A close match ended when France broke Irish hearts in the first rugby union international at Dublin's Gaelic football venue when Les Bleus went over for a last-gasp try to snatch a 20-17 win and O'Connell was left to rue the home side's missed chances.

"We needed to put up more scores," he said.

"We had a lot of territory and a lot of possession and we should have taken advantage.

"We should have been a bit more wise and taken the penalties. I suppose guys have their heads down looking for holes and they just don't see the referee's arm raised."

O'Connell was adamant that complacency had not contributed to the defeat, despite France's game-winning try coming almost immediately from the kick-off after Ronan O'Gara had given Ireland a 17-13 lead with just three minutes to play.

"I wouldn't say we thought the game was won, but we thought we were there or thereabouts," Ireland's stand-in captain, replacing the injured Brian O'Driscoll, continued.

"They got a lucky bounce, got on the ball and scored a try – they're very good at that. It's disappointing because we felt we were in control.

"Now we have to pick ourselves up and prepare for the next game. It'll be a massive week to prepare for the game against England [on February 24th]. Hopefully the boys will come around by Tuesday or Wednesday and we'll be ready."

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