McNaughton: don’t underestimate might of wounded Boks
The Springboks’ travails began at Welford Road three weeks ago with a defeat to Leicester, and continued with further reversals against France in Toulouse and Saracens in Wembley.
Four tries handed them a convincing win in Italy last weekend but Peter de Villiers’ squad is clearly feeling the effects of a long and demanding season in which they defeated the Lions and topped the Tri-Nations table.
“South Africa’s results have to be put in context,” McNaughton said yesterday. “They have played a midweek side which not many touring teams have done and then they were beaten by a very good French performance in Toulouse.
“Not many teams beat France down there. It was a very physical performance but we don’t regard them as being on a slippery slope. The fact that they have had two midweek defeats is neither here nor there.
“They are the world champions and Tri-Nations champions.”
Italy troubled the Boks in Udine but it is the game at the Stade Toulousain to which Declan Kidney and his brains trust will surely turn their attentions to in a search for a successful blueprint.
“Without giving too much away, the basics of what France did, the style of footy was based around an enthusiasm for the contact area and that’s what you have to do against South Africa,” said Ireland’s defensive coach Les Kiss.
“They are the most physical team in the world. There was some nice flair from the French around the park as well.
“It is a game that can challenge you in a number of ways and most of what they (South Africa) do has their basis in their physicality.”
If South Africa can improve, then Ireland can too. After the Australia game, Kidney and company targeted the breakdown as an area of some importance and Kiss claims there were clear signs of improvement in that department at the RDS last Saturday.
Other positives heading into the weekend’s final autumn international come in the not inconsiderable shape of Gert Smal who was part of the South African brains trust during the successful World Cup campaign two years ago.
Added to that is the fact that so many of this Irish team have already banked considerable experience of playing against the world champions whilst on Lions duty last summer.
To top all that off, Ireland aren’t suffering with injuries to anywhere near the same extent as their opponents but they are nonetheless playing the waiting game with regard to a handful of key personnel.
There was no update on Denis Leamy’s damaged ankle ligaments yesterday, although the Munster forward has not yet been ruled out for Saturday’s test. A decision will be made on his fitness later in the week.
Other walking wounded include Jerry Flannery who is nursing some stitches in his nose as well as an ankle injury — the same ailment afflicting Stephen Ferris — and Keith Earls who took a knock on the leg against Fiji. The good news is that there is no shortage of backup. The Irish ‘A’ side is based in Tallaght this week which means that there are approximately 50 players within half an hour of the senior base camp.
Last weekend’s game afforded Kidney the chance to mix and match his personnel to good effect and McNaughton believes that such fluidity on the teamsheet will be of enormous benefit to the squad moving forward.
“We are trying to build a squad of more than 22 players. That keeps everyone awake. People don’t feel it’s their jersey on their back. They have to work every week for their place and we are getting a good response from players. They don’t just come to training to support the 15 playing so it has been a positive. A lot of guys feel they have a chance and that is the feeling that you want to get into the squad.”
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