nate says...

Why are SA fans being so strange about this match? There seems to be an unbelievable amount of hate towards the Irish. The Irish have an opportunity to win because of the injuries the boks have at the moment but even if the boks had a full strength team it would be hard to beat this Irish team. Irish Rugby is also not related in the slightest to Irish soccer so stop comparing the two! I hope Ireland win just to stop the SA ego getting any bigger

Posted 16:55 26th November 2009

catchyname says...

yes zimbabwean, your not the only one tired of the SA attitude. boo hoo they didnt come in for a drink.... boo hoo they dont want to be our friends......a common phrase the last few days - "get over it" , stop living in the past.

The Irish will of course be a stronger unit than the lions, as the lions strength is diluted with English players who cant bring what some Irish and welsh could bring to the game. A lot of youth on this Irish team, it will be interesting to whats coming through the ranks.

Personally i think it will be a tight game, SA injuries and irish young guns, but i think ireland by 3.

Posted 15:34 25th November 2009

irishzimbabwean says...

Am I the only rugby fan is heartily tired of South African paranoia and self-righteousness from the likes of Neef? When O'Gara scored against the Boks in 2004 he played to the whistle - if anyone was at fault it was the referee for giving a direction to John Smit which he did not communicate to the Irish Captain also. As for Neef's bottom line - the relationship between Irish and Springbok rugby will survive the likes of PDV and Neef. The captains of the Lions to South Africa include Sammy Walker, Robin Thompson, Tom Kiernan, Willie John and Paul O'Connell and all have a special status in South African rugby history. The exploits of Blair Mayne, Tony O'Reilly, Fergus Slattery with the Lions are intwined with Springbok history. All the Lions fans who were lucky enough to be in SA five months ago and all the Springbok fans who partied, sang and drank with them for three weeks cannot be wrong.

Posted 06:43 25th November 2009

IslandPower says...

Good point about that penalty kick, i suppose if it was an irishman who scored a goal off of a handball that won them the game and a place in the world cup, would there be any irish voices calling for a rematch? I doubt it, its sad winning obviously is more important than playing in the spirit that the game is suppose to be played in. I think there should be a rematch, its harsh that a team should miss out on a world cup via a blatant cheat, but i think that the irish should have a look at themselves and honestly ask what would they do if the situation was reversed? before they continue their self rightous bleating and finger pointing. And gods isnt there a bigger sign of sore losers than not having a beer with the opposing team after a game? Also the bad feeling with the B.O.D Tana ruck clearing incident, jeez took him 4 years to get over it.

Posted 03:18 25th November 2009

daatchi says...

Neef - change your attitude. It isnt very rugby! The outlash about "social conscience, principles and 'doing the right thing" is a case of the media talking for the ignorant few not the majority as is usually the case. I think you will find it is the same in every country.

Posted 21:54 24th November 2009

brianjar says...

And the award to the biggest losers goes to...The British and Irish Lions (the bulk of which were Irish players).

Posted 21:15 24th November 2009

Neef says...

Here is an excerpt from the tour diary of a SA rugby hack as published on Supersport:

"Finally, the item that is all over the Irish media, apart from the disgraceful, dirty Springboks, is the Thierry Henry handball incident in Ireland's World Cup qualifier in Paris that ended the Paddys' World Cup dream.

The amount of commentary on social conscience, principles and 'doing the right thing' is extraordinary,

but as a follower of South African rugby, one thing immediately came to mind: Did anyone hear a lone Irish voice back in 2004 saying that Ronan O'Gara should be made to re-take the infamous penalty kick from which he tapped and scored while John Smit was talking to his players at the request of the referee? Ah, thought not..."

Yup, call us bully boys and everything else you want, Ireland, but we're not cheats. If Ireland never wins a test against SA again, it will be too soon.

Posted 17:32 24th November 2009