Ireland were very efficient if not impressive in their win against Romania. however Schmidt will be impressed in particular by just how well his back three performed.
Questions had been asked about Tommy Bowe and he duly answered with two tries, while Keith Earls broke and equaled two records with his crace of tries. Meanwhile, Simon Zebo was solid throughout, providing assists and scoring possibly the greatest try never allowed. Here's how Twitter reacted as the game wore on.
First half
Some people already got what they came for:
@ballsdotie I came here looking for an Italia 90 reference. I am not dissatisfied
— John Lynch (@JPLynch81) September 27, 2015
Then Zebo's magic dazzled, before being ruled out:
The greatest try Ireland never scored
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) September 27, 2015
What an offload from Earls. He'll be getting detention on Monday from Schmidt for it though.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) September 27, 2015
All behold, the split-screen multi-angle replay...#AboutTime pic.twitter.com/6GgwXTve3J
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) September 27, 2015
The ref was getting a bit confused:
"Have a word with 7 please" says Craig Joubert to the Romania captain... who is wearing No7
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) September 27, 2015
Some people still want a bit of RTE:
Feels wrong for such a try not to be called by an overly excited Ryle Nugent. Tommmmmmmyyyyyyyy Boooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwweee!!!!!
— Dave Finn (@Furlo) September 27, 2015
Schmidt is spoilt for choice bt he has to find a spot for Earls in his first choice XV.He makes something happen every time he gets the ball
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) September 27, 2015
How to speak Gerry Thornley 101:
Bowe adroit finish in corner for first try. Just what he and Ireland needed. Zebo gave pass. Maybe could have gone himself?
— Gerry Thornley (@gerrythornley) September 27, 2015
Earls got in in the corner, but that pass was just...
I haven't seen a better pass at Wembley since Ray Parlour #IREvROM
— Paul (@PaulEyezOnMe) September 27, 2015
Brilliant by Earls he's on fire since he's comeback expected him to burst into flames n dissappear he was so fast 🚀 #IREvROM #RWC 🍀🍀🏉🏉🍀🍀
— Tony (@TonyKB777) September 27, 2015
What a pass from Zebo. Silky. #IREvROM
— Freedom Littleseal (@TheShiftyShadow) September 27, 2015
Am particularly loving the glittery Romanian black shorts! #IREvROM #RWC0215 @wembleystadium @ColumL
— Manuela Spinelli (@SpinelliManuela) September 27, 2015
Second half
Earls scored another, making him the joint all time World Cup try scorer for Ireland, alongside Brian O'Driscoll
Keith Earls is the Miroslav Klose of the Rugby World Cup.
— Eoin McDevitt (@EoinMcDevitt) September 27, 2015
Earls, Bowe and Zebo have all been brilliant. Wouldn't like to be picking a back three from all of these in-form options.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) September 27, 2015
Vote goes to #MOTM1 Keith Earls @rugbyworldcup: #IREvROM for man of the match #RugbyWorldCup #RWC2015 #RWC
— Corrine Heaney (@corrineheaney) September 27, 2015
Then Bowe got his second..
Delighted for Tommy Bowe 👍 https://t.co/yAmTDIPuYp
— Eimear Fay (@EimearF01) September 27, 2015
Tommy Bowe has now passed Dennis Hickie to become Ireland's second top try scorer of all time!
— Ciaran Donaghy (@TheAnswer75) September 27, 2015
Rob Kearney came on and got a try but it was Zebo's assist and overall performance that had people purring.
There's a bit of a Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon vibe to the way Simon Zebo plays rugby. #RWC2015
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) September 27, 2015
Man of the Match is Keith Earls...Think Simon Zebo would also have been very deserving of it #IREvROM #RWC2015
— Eva (@Evanis) September 27, 2015
Zebo's best match for Ireland?
— Ross O'Carroll-Kelly (@RossOCK) September 27, 2015
Tommy Bowe was outstanding but my MOM must be Zebo. #ShoulderToShoulder
— Stevie Goudy (@StevieGoudy) September 27, 2015
Keith Earls man of the match would have gone with Zebo myself. Very unselfish performance from the Munster man
— Aaron Cawley (@AaronCawley81) September 27, 2015
See Also: Johnny Sexton Named In A Strange World Cup Dream Team
See Also: Keith Earls Broke A World Cup Record With His First Half Try
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
