2003 Ireland rugby union tour of the South Seas. Eddie O'Sullivan initially selected a squad of 41 players for the Ireland national rugby union team 2003 summer tour. Keith Wood also travelled with the tour party as an additional player for training purposes [1]. However Rob Henderson, Denis Hickie and Anthony Foley all subsequently withdrew due to injuries [2][3] and Frankie Sheahan had to return home after testing positive for Salbutamol [4]. Aiden McCullen and Mike Mullins were both then called up as replacements. Mark McHugh marked his senior international debut with a try against Tonga while McCullen and Anthony Horgan made their senior international debuts against Samoa. In the same game, Ronan O'Gara gave a man of the match performance, scoring 32 of Ireland’s 40 points.
Contents |
| June 8, 2003 |
Australia | 45 - 16 | Ireland | Subiaco Oval, Perth, Western Australia Attendance: 40,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tries: Elton Flatley Steve Kefu George Gregan Chris Latham Penalty Try Cons: Elton Flatley (?) Pen: |
Try: John Kelly Con: Pen: David Humphreys Ronan O'Gara |
| June 14, 2003 |
Tonga | 19 - 40 | Ireland | Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nukuʻalofa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tries: Con: Pen: |
Tries: John Kelly (2) Guy Easterby (2) Jonathan Bell Mark McHugh Con: Pen: |
| June 20, 2003 |
Samoa | 14 - 40 | Ireland | Apia Park, Apia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tries: Ron Fanuatanu Earl Va'a Con: Pen: |
Try: Ronan O'Gara (2) Eric Miller Gordon D'Arcy Con: Ronan O'Gara (2) Pen: Ronan O'Gara (5) Drop Goal: Ronan O'Gara |