Smal: Irish can pack a punch

RESPONSIBLE for one of the most famous punches ever thrown on a rugby field, Gert Smal came out swinging yesterday.

He jumped into the ring in defence of his pack after the New Zealand coaching staff’s brazen prediction that they would ‘dominate’ Ireland tomorrow night.

The South African opted not to take Steve Hansen’s bait and respond directly to the Kiwi assistant coach, instead merely endorsing the credentials of his own tight five, predicting that they have what it takes to cope in the Taranaki cauldron.