Andrew Trimble: Ireland showing street smarts

In the face of criticism from Springboks coach Allister Coetzee that Ireland “weren’t interested in playing rugby”, Andrew Trimble has proclaimed pride in his team’s streetwise victory against the odds.

Ireland overcame the dismissal of CJ Stander after 23 minutes and saw out 10 minutes with only 13 men to beat South Africa 26-20 in Saturday’s thrilling first Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

Coetzee yesterday betrayed frustration at Ireland’s playing style. He congratulated their work ethic but acknowledged his side had played too much like a Super Rugby team and added of Ireland: “They weren’t interested in playing. All they did was make it as difficult as possible for us to exit, they just put it in behind us, turn us and we were actually bogged down in our own 22.