186 : Ireland v South Africa wrap

Conor Cronin

What a game. Losing players to injury before and during would’ve knocked us hard 5 years ago, but players stepped up and did everything asked of them.

Great awareness by Josh for his try, great calm heads in making sure the second was scored, not one player shirked his duty. That’s a compete team performance against some massive guys who tackle hard but Sore bodies will feel a little nicer for that win

James Griffin

Brain beats brawn. Delighted with the performance and how they adapted throughout.

Andrew Potts

A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

The above is from the laws.

A history making double red, maybe a red and yellow if I was been nice.

The officials were disgracefully weak, and the players know the laws. Once again SA rugby displays the worst of their rugby culture. It’s a shame,as they are better players than that.

McBride had their cards marked a good punch in the head is all they understand.

Will World Rugby wait until we see a serious incident on the TV before they back Refs to the hilt to end this stupidity.

Kevin OCeallaigh

What a game. A true test match. Kolbe’s tackle was a stone cold red card. He changed his grip and drove Hanson into the ground. However, in hindsight I’m glad he stayed on. At least the SA journos can’t use a red card as an excuse for Ireland’s win. The world champions were beaten fair and square; 15 v’s 15!

Brian Corr

It’s hard not to be happy with the win, but I think we’ve gotten so used to being in control that that one didn’t feel so good.

Murray and McCloskey were excellent until they were forced off.

Unlike A against NZ last night the senior team stayed in the fight and the scrum held up great as well. It was good to see SA front row walking away from penalties disgusted.

I know Porter is number 1 by a long shot but it was good to see Healy roll back the clock and get a good bullocking carry in.

I know it was surprising SA missed touch with that late penalty into the corner but thought Ireland should have dealt with it better.

Considering how much time Ireland were on the back foot in the first half 6-6 was a great half time score.

Can’t say the ref affected the outcome but I can say I didn’t like his performance and felt he was bad for the game rather than for one team.

Peter Tracey

Great to see JGP back and so quick with ball bar one or two box kicks. O’Brien did well when he came on. McCloskey and Murray were doing well until too they had to go off. Bealham did well too and we need a good scrum when the front 3 go off. Kelleher to come back will be a big boast when he does. Still need to blood some more players. Rest Johnny until the 6 nations. Give some 10s a chance.

ROM 30-23 CHI

SCO 28-12 FIJ

SPA 6-40 TON

ITA 49-17 SAM

NZL 55-23 WAL

IRE 19-16 RSA

FRA 30-29 ARG

GEO 34-18 URU

ENG 29-30 ARG

RWC2023 FINAL QUALIFIERS

USA 68-14 KEN

POR 42-14 HKG

Week 2

Sat Nov 12

TONvCHI

ITAvAUS

IREvFIJ

ENGvJPN

GEOvSAM

WALvARG

FRAvRSA

RWC2023 FINAL QUALIFIERS

POR V KEN

USA V HKG

Sun Nov 13

ROMvURU

SCOvNZL