Rossi Erasmus: “It would be bold to say we want France or New Zealand in the quarter-finals”

Russie Erasmus (South Africa Rugby Director)

On the positives and negatives of the match against Ireland: “The downside is that we built up at a good time. We know the game against Tonga is going to be tough, just like Scotland is going to be tough for Ireland, and it will decide who is top, two or three in the group. I know how tough Scotland is going to be for Ireland, The same can happen against Tonga and get a point [bonus defensivo] One of the positives of the game, but the negative of losing the game.

“There were 11 points that we couldn’t score by kicking to the posts. I don’t know how many teams have held Ireland to 13 points, but this is the first time we haven’t scored in double figures against them in a long time. This is the best match between the number one and two teams in the world. “Now we focus on the next game and see if we can qualify and get to the group stage.”

On whether the defeat added pressure to his campaign: “I wouldn’t say it added pressure on us. Some aspects worked well against the world number one team who had won 15 games in a row. Last year we were three points behind them and we got five points this time. We had a chance to take the game away from them at the end but they deserved it. I think they won. One wants to reach qualification. I think it would be bold to say France or New Zealand in the quarter-finals. Let’s let fate decide because both are imposing contenders.

“There’s always pressure to progress in this tough group so there’s no added pressure. We’ll see how Scotland play against Tonga later, but that doesn’t add to the pressure.

On Mani Lipok’s goal kicking and Handre Pollard’s availability to face Tonga: “You have to put things in perspective. Handre Pollard is not Superman. Four weeks ago, I wasn’t ready to play rugby. Four or five weeks ago I wasn’t running at full speed. He’s only played 40 minutes of rugby. You can’t walk on the court and kick goal posts; he’s in ruck formations. Have to tackle, pass, kick-off, dodge. Some people think we didn’t play Handre Pollard because we didn’t want to. That’s not the reason. Handre is injured. He played 40 minutes of rugby and trained with us for a week last week. This week. “There will be full contact, no sessions will be missed. That’s why I said last week I wasn’t ready for selection. But we always wanted to rotate the team for the match against Tonga, so he will definitely be there.”

“If you look at Manny’s different things… it’s like Dion Fourie’s lineout delivery. I think he got four lineouts, one was not straight, but the scrums went well. Manny is going through a slump in his success. He knows it, we know it, the world knows it. They are talking while Faf [de Klerk] He tried a shot from 55 meters out and it hit the post and we almost scored from there. “Faf is a good kicker, but he’s not always on the field.”

“Handre will play this weekend, but first we will see how he performs in other areas of the game. Can you cope with the contact? I believe it will take some time to find the rhythm as well. The game against Tonga will be a big test for him, where is he at before we progress, we “Mani is certainly playing some smart rugby at fly-half at the moment, although his post-kicking is not up to par at the moment.”

On not realizing the opportunities in the opposite 22: “When the first and second teams meet in a game of this magnitude, only two, three or five points are at stake. No one scored more than 13 points in this game. “It’s a Test match with a great atmosphere, there’s a lot of Irish fans and a lot of South African fans, and that puts different kinds of pressure on the match.”

“I don’t think they converted more chances than us. They scored a try, we scored a try. They converted their try easily and kicked two penalties. A good team like Ireland keep you out of their goal area. I’m sure they say the same about us. . The obvious problem is that we’re not hitting the woodwork with our shots. Obviously, creating chances is a positive, and the better you can finish, but a team at the other end is holding you back.

On what they expect from Tonga: “Romania is a tier 2 team that doesn’t have many prospects and doesn’t have many full-time professional players. Although World Rugby has tried to support them and they have improved, they are still some distance from the level of Tier 1 teams. But Tonga has players who have played at the highest level for many countries and there are some names. That worries you. They are unique threats, brilliant interpersonal skills and well trained. I know Toutai Kefu very well [el entrenador de Tonga]. “I played against him in my playing days and he was great in scrums, mauls and lineouts.”

Potentially facing France in the quarter finals and facing the host nation (Japan) at RWC 2019 was a worthwhile experience: “I still think the group (Group A) is not settled and 100 percent decided. Many people will say that France are the favourites, but you never know what will happen on match day because Italy will have a big day. In our case, as coaches, it’s up to us who we want to face. I don’t know, that would be very disrespectful. When they faced Japan in 2019, they were ranked eighth, ninth or tenth in the world, a developing team that put together a fantastic tournament. But France will always be in the top four in the world, playing rugby at home with passionate crowds like a religion. I don’t think that will help us against a quality French team.

Dion Davids (forwards coach)

About the challenge presented by Tonga: “Tier 2 nations in this World Cup have shown a lot of passion when facing Tier 1 teams. Tonga has many experienced players and an experienced coach who has played at this level. “They are playing us in the last game of the group stage, so they will be competitive and from the game on. It is important that we prepare against other teams to ensure that we are well rewarded.”

On penalties at the scrum against Ireland: “Overall, it was a good battle between the two forward packs. We created a good platform to attack, but we had one or two scrums where we were penalized. “We’re going to take a hard look at it and plan what we need to do to be better next game.”

On how the Springboks fared in lineouts: “I was very impressed with how the guys stuck to our plan. Ireland are a very strong side in attack, good rhythm and we know they can impose themselves. They are an experienced side and have a very solid lineout. We have to look carefully at how we can put them under pressure. It’s not always about recovery, it’s about putting them under pressure in terms of pitch and ground, and the team has followed that plan with good results.

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