RUGBY NEWS - There is always something special about final approach into Dublin, the first sighting of the unmistakable ‘Emerald Isle’. It is usually one of the friendliest welcomes in the rugby world but, in the context of the approaching vote on the host country for Rugby World Cup 2023, tangibly less so this time around. Local media is awash with anti-South Africa rhetoric as some furious final lobbying by Team Ireland takes its course.
Shortly after getting into a taxi with colleague and former Bok captain Jean de Villiers, our driver asked if we would like to take the longer route to the hotel using a ring road instead of the route across the city.
“The traffic is bananas,” he said, “because of a rail strike”. His two South African passengers couldn’t resist loudly (and light-heartedly) exchanging their thoughts on the suitability of Ireland as a host country in light of rail strikes in the week of a one-off test match. The driver, bless him, saw the funny side.
Having Jean with us provided a vivid reminder of our last visit here in 2014, a test lost by the Boks in a week in which former Boks Abie Malan, at the age of 78, and Tinus Linee passed away.
The IRFU had agreed to a moment’s silence being observed in honour of these men and the media – perhaps in an attempt to cause a diversion from the task at hand – were quick to ask Jean in his captain’s press conference whether this would be a distraction for the team.
“Not really,” he said wistfully. “I mean, none of the squad had much to do with these players. Obviously, Tinus Linee was one of my first centre partners at Western Province, so it has been a sad week for me personally…and I think Victor might have played one or two games with Abie Malan…”. Diversion averted through humour.
Bok scrum coach Matt Proudfoot was in his usual articulate form when fronting the media on Tuesday, himself never shy to use the odd quip here and there to induce smiles and ease tension.
He did exactly that – and earned a merit point from the front row club who pride themselves on their focus on the importance of scrummaging – when asked a question about the Springboks’ ability to counter Ireland’s quick line speed on defence. “You’re asking me to comment on attack there,” said our Matt, “and that is way beyond my pay-grade…” Touche.
Always good to catch up with Michael Corcoran, voice of more than 150 Irish test matches on radio. He has a personal dilemma looming; his daughter is engaged to Ireland and British Lions loosehead prop, Jack McGrath, the wedding set for next Northern hemisphere summer.
The problem? Well Michael, although now resident in Dublin for almost 18 years, is a Munster man through and through, and his son-in-law-to-be one of the stalwarts of archrivals Leinster.
