While there will be plenty to improve on ahead of this weekend's second rugby test match, it's fair to say that Ireland produced a decent performance in their 27-20 loss to South Africa on Saturday.
Considering that there is perhaps no tougher venue for visiting nations in world rugby at the moment than Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld, Andy Farrell's side will come away with plenty of credit for their showing in the game.
They were within touching distance of the Springboks for the vast majority of the contest, with a couple of individual errors and close refereeing decisions ultimately proving to be the difference between the sides. Ireland also produced that showing without some key personnel, with the likes of Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Jamison Gibson-Park, and Jack Conan all unavailable.
In saying that, some feel that does not count for much when they ultimately came up short in the game.
READ HERE: Bernard Jackman Points Out Issue That Cost Ireland In South Africa Loss
Rugby: All Blacks Legend Throws Dig At Ireland Over Springboks Loss
This was certainly a close affair, with Ireland likely to have some regrets over not managing to squeeze out what would have been a historic victory in Pretoria.
The Irish rugby team and many of its players have a reputation in the southern hemisphere of not being able to get over the line in big games, something that was really hammered home on the back of their World Cup quarter-final exit last year.
That point was raised once again in the aftermath of this match.
Speaking on Sky Sports in New Zealand, All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson was full of praise for the South Africa performance in this game, but also found time to throw a subtle dig at Ireland.
@ah_yup_yup @CapeSaakie @CaptSpringbok @scrumming_ten @DummySwitchPod @ek_rugby @EPCR_Stan @SARugbymag @BOK_FANS_NZ cannot believe i am saying this but Jeff Wilson is spitting facts 😎 pic.twitter.com/6qPdNCA6j7
— BitterBen (@BitterBenRugby) July 8, 2024
[South Africa] would have won this game more comfortable is Handre Pollard had kicked his penalties. They have already evolved a little bit.
We have seen already that the moment they roll out six new forward and that's what they can create. They got a pushover penalty try when they desperately needed it, the game was still in the balance there.
This was an impressive performance against an Irish team who wanted to go down and prove a point. They proved once again that they couldn't quite get it done.
He knew what he was doing there.
New Zealand certainly took plenty of satisfaction from their Rugby World Cup victory over Ireland last year, something that has seemingly not subsided in the months that followed.
In fact, it is unlikely to go away until Ireland eventually manage to beat them in a knockout game at sport's flagship event. Such an opportunity is still at least three years away.
SEE ALSO: Matt Williams Comments About Rassie's Bomb Squad Not Going Down Well In South Africa
