South Africa head coach: ‘Ireland like European version of All Blacks’

Killing the opposition with kindness is the oldest trick in the sports PR book but Allister Coetzee’s respect for Ireland seems genuine given the Springbok head coach has labelled Joe Schmidt’s side as the northern hemisphere’s All Blacks.

High praise, indeed.

“They are a quality side and it’s almost close to your All Blacks side in Europe,” he said in Dublin … “They have a great coaching staff. Joe (Schmidt) is a great guy, a really good coach, and (Andy) Farrell his defence coach is really astute.”