Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

The Andy Farrell answer to Ireland or South Africa being world No1

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Andy Farrell has claimed he has no interest in adding to the debate over whether his Ireland team or South Africa are currently the world’s best. The Irish travelled to the southern hemisphere four months after clinching back-to-back Six Nations titles and their tour to the home of the back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions generated lengthy chatter in the build-up over who genuinely is No1.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ireland beat South Africa 13-8 in a World Cup pool match in Paris last September but last weekend’s 27-20 win by the Springboks led to suggestions that there was quite a gap between the world’s top two ranked sides.

Those claims were then shredded by Saturday’s compelling conclusion in Durban, the Irish grabbing a last-gasp 25-24 win with an 80th-minute Ciaran Frawley drop goal. Head coach Farrell, though, refused to add his tuppence to the ‘who is the best?’ debate in the wake of the two-Test July series being drawn one-all.

Video Spacer

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on his team’s performance in teh second Test against Ireland

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on his team’s performance in teh second Test against Ireland

      The Springbok players were not on the same page during Saturday’s series decider against Ireland in Durban.

      “I actually don’t care, actually don’t care,” he said in the ground floor room at Kings Park that hosted the post-game media briefings. “Two good sides, you wouldn’t want to separate them.

      “It is what it is and you could join a couple of other, even more, two or three, three or four countries into that because I actually think world rugby is in a good state because of that type of competition. Long may it continue.”

      Turnovers

      2
      Turnovers Won
      7
      12
      Turnovers Lost
      18

      His respect for the South Africans was clearly evident. “We have got a function now. I’m looking forward to that because you guys keep telling us it’s a long old season, a 13-month season for these guys but you wouldn’t think it.

      “If we had lost there would have been no excuses at all because when you play for Ireland they are all proper Test matches, so there is no excuses. We’ll enjoy a beer with South Africa because the tussles have been immense.’

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Another aspect that Farrell wasn’t having any of was how Saturday was his 50th match in charge of Ireland since his promotion to head coach following the post-2019 World Cup departure of Joe Schmidt.

      “I don’t know the relevance of that. It’s not a milestone and I don’t get the relevance. It’s irrelevant. As far as drama and the pressure we put on ourselves to perform, it is right up there. They [South Africa] are a wonderful team, a magnificent team.

      “Last week was difficult for us, we said it as it was, that we weren’t happy, so we had to come out and perform and when you have those conversations, you are talking about character so for that to come through… that’s what sport is all about really.”

      Related

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

      Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

      New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

      Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

      The Rise of Kenya | The Report

      New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

      The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      26 Comments
      D
      Dave 262 days ago

      Well said Andy focus on the rugby leave the BS to everyone else. Definitely at least four or five teams right up there at top level

      C
      CO 263 days ago

      Depends on the ref, the Allblacks are at least one point worse if you make them a player short and disallow their tries

      s
      swivel 263 days ago

      First Sexton says they didn’t think they’d get far at the World Cup, now their coach says they don’t care if they’re the best or not.

      Their is something seriously wrong with the Irish psyche when it comes to competition

      T
      Turlough 263 days ago

      Well said Andy. I thought that conversation (started by some British pundits) and pushed everywhere by Rugby media was unfortunate. It was based on a big away victory against a French team who were favourites.
      I understand the SA reaction: the implication could be that the best team didn't win the RWC.
      The rankings IMO measure different things at different times. In between RWCs it de facto measures the most consistant team in contests between rested squads.
      The hemisphere tournaments do stress depth to some degree but not compared to a RWC.
      RWC tests the ability of a team to win tough knockout matches deep in a tournament with squad depletion and accumulated fatigue and under massive pressure. It is often not the same beast. That’s why you saw the RWC play out with (arguably) the best one off test team (Ireland) beating SA in a pool, with the best ultimate team SA, winning the cup.
      Both SA and Ireland must agree on one thing: NZ are the humblest team of all time. Humble heroes, in fact. 😉

      ¨0¨
      ¨1¨

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      J
      JB 20 minutes ago
      Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

      As a devoted father of two, my primary concern has always been the safety and well-being of my family. This commitment to my family's security was put to the test on February 6, 2025, when I embarked on a quest to find a trustworthy home security system that could offer us the protection we needed. After conducting some research online, I stumbled upon a security company that seemed promising, and I took the initiative to reach out through their messaging platform. Hours later, my phone rang, and I was greeted by a representative claiming to be from a well-known home security company. They were reaching out to inform me about a special promotional offer, which immediately piqued my interest. However, as the promised week came and went without so much as a peep from the company, my feelings of unease began to escalate. I attempted to contact the company again to inquire about the delay, only to find that the number I had called was suddenly disconnected. It was at that moment—when the reality of the situation hit me—that I understood I had fallen victim to a scam. The devastation that followed was profound; losing $40,000 was not merely a financial setback but a personal failure in my eyes—an inability to safeguard my family's future. The experience left me feeling vulnerable, exposed, and utterly defeated. Determined to reclaim my lost resources, I knew that swift action was essential. I turned to the internet for help and began researching options for recovering my funds. During this search, I came across BOTNET CRYPTO RECOVERY, a company with a track record of assisting individuals who had encountered similar unfortunate situations. Intrigued by the success stories of people who had benefited from their services, I made the decision to reach out to them. From the moment I contacted BOTNET CRYPTO RECOVERY, I was met with professionalism and empathy. Their team was understanding of my plight and remained reassuring throughout the process. They immediately set to work on investigating the fraudulent transaction and kept me informed at every step, alleviating some of the anxiety that had consumed me since the incident.Thanks to their diligence, expertise, and unwavering commitment, BOTNET CRYPTO RECOVERY was eventually able to recover an astounding $35,800 of the $40,000 I had lost. The relief I felt was immeasurable; it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Not only did they help restore my finances, but they also provided me with something

      invaluable—peace of mind.Their contact info is listed below.


      +1 (431) 801-8951

      botnetcryptorecovery@groupmail.com

      4 Go to comments
      T
      Tobias Burch 3 hours ago
      Why the ‘State of Origin’ will have a big say in Schmidt’s Wallabies selection

      GrayHat Hacks Contractor Reclaimed My BTC in Hours

      Mid last year, I thought I had stumbled upon a golden opportunity when I joined an online investment group promising substantial returns through rare NFTs. I was thrilled to invest my 1.5 BTC, valued at approximately $90,000 at the time, toward a significant venture. The group’s website appeared polished, featuring impressive testimonials and a “secure escrow” system for transactions. Confident in their credibility, I transferred my BTC to their designated wallet, anticipating the delivery of a valuable NFT. However, days stretched into weeks with only vague excuses, and then the site disappeared entirely. My wallet was empty, and the realization hit me hard: I had been duped by a sophisticated scam, losing the savings I had earmarked for my dream music studio.

      In a state of panic and despair, I searched online for solutions and discovered GrayHat Hacks. Their team responded promptly. They outlined their approach, explaining that they would employ blockchain forensics to track my BTC, despite the scammers’ use of a mixing service to obscure the trail. Their team meticulously analyzed the transaction ledger, utilizing advanced algorithms to group wallets and detect patterns. After several hours of diligent effort, they successfully retrieved my BTC. Their transparency throughout the process was reassuring.

      That 1.5 BTC represents more than just currency; it’s the foundation of my music studio vision, and GrayHat Hacks restored it when I had nearly lost all hope. For anyone caught up in a dubious investment scheme, they offer an invaluable service. Their expertise in blockchain technology, paired with genuine client support, sets them apart. You can reach them via email at gr ay hathacks @ con tractor . net or Whatsapp +1 (843) 368-3015

      78 Go to comments
      TRENDING
      TRENDING Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Laidlaw dies Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Laidlaw dies
      Search