Ireland into World Cup

Ndaira: Scored Lebanon's opener

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Ireland secured their place at the 2008 World Cup with a 16-16 draw against Lebanon on Friday night.

The Irish qualify for the showpiece in Australia next year because of their superior points difference in the group, while Lebanon will now go into the repechage stage for another chance to qualify.

Andy Kelly's side got off to a superb start courtesy of Wigan prop forward Eamon O'Carroll's big hit on Ray Moujali, which sent the ball flying free.

From the resulting turnover Dewsbury Rams scrum-half Liam Finn latched on to Paul Handforth's dink kick to break the deadlock. Finn then got up to kick the conversion and put Ireland into a 6-0 lead after just two minutes.

Former St George Illawarra Dragon George Ndaira got Lebanon back in the game on the quarter hour mark though, sidestepping Mick Cassidy and holding off O'Carroll on his way to the line.

Centre Sean Gleeson's quick feet and chip through found full-back Scott Grix for an immediate response though, with Finn's conversion taking Ireland into a 12-4 lead going into the break.

Tempers

Ill-discipline marred the end of the first-half and despite a warning for both sides from referee Ashley Klein, the dangerous tackling continued after the restart.

Lebanon were the first to capitalise on the increasing number of penalties going their way when Chris Salem's strong run from dummy-half saw him go over for a 48th minute try. Full-back Toufic Nicolas kicked the angled conversion and Lebanon trailed by just two.

Jamie Clark was put on report for a dangerous tackle on the hour mark, and Charlie Nohra was sin-binned moments later for a high tackle on opposite number Cassidy.

Despite being a man down Frank Samia went over for the simplest of converted tries, after Grix failed to deal with a high kick from Anthony Farah.

Captain Hassan Salah conceded a penalty in front of the sticks with minutes to go though, and Chris Bridge promptly kicked his team level at 16-16, and in the end the draw proved just enough for Ireland.