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Rugby World Cup

The Jake White verdict on 'power vs skill' Springboks-Ireland clash

(Photo by Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images)

Jake White has shared his thoughts on Saturday night’s Rugby World Cup blockbuster in Paris between the Springboks and Ireland.

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The meeting of the Pool B heavyweights at Stade de France – a clash between the defending champions and the world’s current No1-ranked side – has been the most hyped fixture so far at France 2023 and the grapevine has been bursting this week with various South African and Irish pundits giving their predictions on what will unfold.  

Former Springboks coach White has become the latest to join the hot topic debate, sending a pre-game message to RugbyPass that perfectly sets the scene just hours before the kick-off of a match that has gripped the imagination of all fervent rugby supporters.  

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“As a Rugby World Cup winner 16 years ago in France, and a coach currently still involved in the game (at the Bulls), let me share my thoughts: Today is a wonderful Test match. It’s a test of power versus skill. 

“It’s going to be intriguing and fascinating to watch. Does skill beat power or is power the dominant factor in a successful winning team?

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“Are 15 forwards in a match day 23 the winning recipe? If so, then no one will beat the Springboks at this Rugby World Cup as no team will be able to match the power of the Boks’ selection.  

“This power versus skill debate in rugby has been around for ages. No team has been or will offer more skill than Ireland have in the last four years since the last World Cup. The Springboks and their bomb squad became champions by being too physical for any opponent. 

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 “That is what makes rugby such a wonderful game as these debates will continue long after all of us are gone. Enjoy the contest. Cheers, Jake.” 

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Comments on RugbyPass

H
Hellhound 12 minutes ago
Top 100 Men's Rugby Players 2025 | Best Rugby Player in the World | RugbyPass

That is a scary looking team yes

100 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 40 minutes ago
Pat Lam blasts 'archaic' process that lost the All Blacks Tony Brown

Now you are just being a woke, jealous fool. With the way things are run in NZ, no wonder he couldn't make a success there. Now that he is out shining any other New Zealanders, including their star players, now he is bitter and resentful and all sorts of hate speeches against him. That is what the fans like you do. Those in NZ who does have enough sense not to let pride cloud their vision, is all saying the same thing. NZ needs TB. Razor was made out to be a rugby coaching God by the fans, so much so that Foz was treated like the worst piece of shitte. Especially after the Twickenham disaster right before the WC. Ad then he nearly won the WC too with 14 players. As a Saffa the way he handled the media and the pressure leading up to the WC, was just extraordinary and I have gained a lot of respect for that man. Now your so called rugby coaching God managed to lose by an even bigger margin, IN NZ. All Razor does is overplay his players and he will never get the best out of those players, and let's face it, the current crop is good enough to be the best. However, they need an coach they can believe in completely. I don't think the players have bought into his coaching gig. TB was lucky to shake the dust of his boots when he left NZ, because only when he did that, did his career go from strength to strength. He got a WC medal to his name. Might get another if the Boks can keep up the good work. New exciting young talent is set to join soon after the WC as dangerous as SFM and Kolbe. Trust me, he doesn't want the AB's job. He is very happy in SA with the Boks. We score, you lose a great coach. We know quality when we see it, we don't chuck it in the bin like NZRU likes to do. Your coaching God is hanging on by a thread to keep his job🤣🤣🤣🤣

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J
Jen 57 minutes ago
Six Wallabies abroad who must come into the reckoning in 2026

I think he means Zac Lomax, an NRL winger, who is reported to be looking to switch codes.

8 Go to comments
c
cw 57 minutes ago
Six favours the All Blacks need from Santa's little helpers

Simplify. Stop trying to be the smartest in the room. That’s been taken.

Play to our strengths. Simple direct ball in hand rugby at speed.



...

11 Go to comments
K
Kashmir Pete 57 minutes ago
Six Wallabies abroad who must come into the reckoning in 2026

Great article John,

Appreciate optimism you provide. Will be delighted if Wallabies simply make semis of our home WRC, and what your article brings for me, is that is very much doable.



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H
Hammer Head 1 hour ago
Pat Lam blasts 'archaic' process that lost the All Blacks Tony Brown

Tony Brown is better off at the Boks. And in the long run, if NZ Rugby can get their house in order enough for their to be good enough reason for him getting into the AB setup, the ABs will better for it.

The last four years and next two years buggering around in the wilderness with NZRU would be a waste of his talents and valuable career years and experience actually achieving results.



...

38 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
Pat Lam blasts 'archaic' process that lost the All Blacks Tony Brown

Tony is already revered by the SA fans. His influence is as integral as Rassie’s in the team. He may be from NZ, but his blood is green. Long may he stay with the Boks, and with Rassie signing to 2031, it's more than likely that Tony will also resign when his contract is up. What coach wouldn't? The talent he get to work with, the coaching setup that is shared and not a dictatorship, the freedom to express himself. He got everything he wants. I can't see him leaving the Bok setup soon.

38 Go to comments
S
SB 1 hour ago
Six favours the All Blacks need from Santa's little helpers

Only by ranking. Don’t forget a lot of work was done prior to Razor taking over for them to be there now. It’s highly debatable that the All Blacks are the second best side in the world at the moment, particularly with the way they were turned over by England.

11 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Six Wallabies abroad who must come into the reckoning in 2026

He’s back in Super isn’t he?

8 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Six Wallabies abroad who must come into the reckoning in 2026

What’s this?

8 Go to comments
S
SB 1 hour ago
High-flying Stormers suffer Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu injury blow

Perhaps he was having too much fun.

1 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Six Wallabies abroad who must come into the reckoning in 2026



That is a list with serious experience and rich form that is missing from this crew, who will undertake the cathartic task of reviewing what was ultimately a disappointing 2025 season ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship Cup games in July.

You hope at least that next year (World Cup year) overseas Wallaby players will be interested enough to tell their clubs they are attending camp.



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J
JW 1 hour ago
Springboks rule the skies as access law leads to more kicking

Well, a couple of things. NZRU is not an entity this topic relates to, and the only national team I notice a problem with attackers “getting upto speed” is the All Blacks, I’d think every other team doesn’t have so much of a problem. That is also reflected at the level below.

So while I think the change would be good for a country like New Zealand, and those consequences you list aren’t favorable, no, I don’t think you interpretation makes more sense than mine.



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H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
Pat Lam blasts 'archaic' process that lost the All Blacks Tony Brown

That doesn't sound bitter. Go and watch that episode. The truth always hurt. He is saying what others are too scared to. How many times on this same forum have NZ fans complained about exactly that? Numerous times. You are right, the way they handled Foz, there couldn't be any other outcome, but then, the NZRU have proven time and time again that they are useless

38 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Pat Lam blasts 'archaic' process that lost the All Blacks Tony Brown

What are you talking about HH? Do you think I should be more critical of Pat Lam not being across the situation instead of making light excuses for him?

Personally I don’t blame him for not being aware of the facts given the current media, so thats going to be the tone I take reporting on it.



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38 Go to comments
A
Andrew Nichols 1 hour ago
Whitney Hansen: 'The biggest thing I learned' from iconic mentors

Now the first thing you have to do us to go find big women instead of tiddlers the size of Brad Webber to build a forward pack that will own imternational womens rugby..not just Australia. 15s is not 7s with extra players.

1 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Pat Lam blasts 'archaic' process that lost the All Blacks Tony Brown

You have NEVER been involved with NZRU, yet you claim to know better than those who were and knows galaxies more than you. Maybe you should be the one to shut up.

38 Go to comments
A
AA 2 hours ago
Sale Sharks' latest accounts make for grim reading

I am driving 200 miles tomorrow to watch Harlequins v Bristol at Twickers . A full 75 thousand will be there.

It will be a fast open game.



...

5 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Pat Lam blasts 'archaic' process that lost the All Blacks Tony Brown

Yeah, everyone is outdated and disconnected except you. Only you are right and everyone else is wrong. The only one that lost touch with reality is you as usual

38 Go to comments
T
Tom 2 hours ago
Fissler Confidential: Bears' fight to keep LRZ, England star on the move

Damn how is Furbank 29 I thought he was like 26! That happened fast…

I can see LRZ going to Toulouse or somewhere until 2028… which sucks since he's very welcome here in Bristol!



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3 Go to comments
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