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‘It's the people’s champions against the actual champions’ - Ireland great weighs in
The build up to the most hotly contested midyear tour is ramping up, as outspoken former Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy has added his voice the Springboks vs Ireland series.
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Ireland will travel to South Africa for a two-Test series against the double world champions in July, off the back of another successful Six Nations championship, but a World Cup that ended at the quarter final stages.
Ireland did edge South Africa 13-8 in the pool stages, but ultimately couldn’t push on after coming up against New Zealand in the knockouts.
D’Arcy, who played 82 times for his country, believes that despite Ireland possibly being ‘tired’, it will be a true test that determines who the number one team in the world is.
Speaking to a media round table last for the URC, D’Arcy said that the Springboks did what they needed to do to retain their title.
“You have the world champions on merit,” he said.
“What I loved about the South African win was that they didn’t let a group match derail them and I just thought the resilience they showed to come back was fantastic.”
He went on to hint that Ireland will probably be a bit fatigued going into the tour.
“The season started to tell a little bit for Ireland towards the end of that Six Nations.
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“‘Tired’ is probably the wrong word but there are a lot of the same players playing in a lot of the same matches. With a couple of injuries and another round or two in the Six Nations, they might not have had the legs to keep going.
“I think Ireland will be tired coming down to South Africa. That said, I think there will be a couple of bodies coming back in and a couple of new faces added to that squad and we have two brilliant coaching tickets.”
Making some bold claims on the ‘best team in the world’ debate, D’Arcy said:
“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.
“It is the pick of the [July] Tests for me and I just hope Ireland will give a good account of themselves.
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“We know how much travel takes out of teams on the road, being away from home after a long season, and you guys [South Africa] are getting started, but it certainly won’t disappoint.”
The first Test will be in Pretoria on July 6, followed by the second in Durban a week later, on July 13.
I think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
Double World Cup Champions ? Wow since when did 4 become 2!
Ireland have played the ABs since the first game 1905 a total of 37 times. The ABs have won 32 and Ireland 5 times. If we look since the first WC, then they have played each other 28 times. All Ireland’s 5 wins have come since 2016. So the ABs won 23 games. Since Ireland won their first game in 2016, they have won 5 and the ABs 4 times. Fairly even. Whatever anyone says, beating ABs consistently is bloody difficult, and when you manage to win a few, show respect to them. Period.
Where’s this people's champion come from? Irish people yes….other people? Their arrogance has become breathtaking. Not tested? Oh dear.
Things I want to pay attention to this series.
1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight.
2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years.
3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?)
4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad.
5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges.
6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
A Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up
An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to
cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
Safas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
Wouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
Looked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith