Hugo Keenan left frustrated despite Ireland's stunning win

It is a measure of this Ireland team’s belief in their abilities that even their stunning victory over South Africa was met with a level of frustration about missed opportunities

HAND OFF: Ireland's Hugo Keenan (right) is tackled by South Africa's Jesse Kriel during the Rugby World Cup 2023, Pool B match at the Stade de France in Paris. Pic: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

It is a measure of this Ireland team’s belief in their abilities that even their stunning victory over world champions South Africa was met with a level of frustration about missed opportunities.

Last Saturday’s titanic struggle between the top two ranked sides on the planet was a match up worthy of a World Cup final, never mind the Pool B contest it actually was. Ireland’s 13-8 win at Stade de France was a low-scoring classic, only a try apiece yet with physicality off the charts, a rollercoaster of momentum swings, and drama from minute one to full time.

It was a victory that sent a statement to their rivals but within the Irish camp there is the acceptance that the Six Nations Grand Slam winners still need to beat Scotland a week on Saturday back in Paris in order to top the pool and for Hugo Keenan that means being more clinical when try-scoring opportunities present themselves.

Keenan was left frustrated on a personal level that he came up just short of the South African try line on Saturday night following an electrifying 12th-minute break, reeled in by Springbok centre Jesse Kriel just a few metres shy.

“We left a few tries out there all right,” the Ireland full-back said, “it was annoying I didn't carry three metres further. I was too far (to reach), you have to be careful of the double-movement, be patient and not greedy. They're big moments."

Keenan added: “It was such a tight affair, both teams were making mistakes, both had opportunities and we both didn't take them, it could have gone either way.

"Defensively, we were very good and that was pleasing. Lads fronted up, the forwards and the lads off the bench were involved in that. They were brilliant, weren't they?"

Playing at his maiden World Cup, the 27-year-old has made the number 15 jersey his own since the 2021 Six Nations having earned the first of his 34 caps from Andy Farrell on the wing the previous October. In spite of all the achievements and record-breaking he has been a part of since, including a 2022 Triple Crown and series win in New Zealand, and the 2023 Grand Slam, beating the Springboks on Saturday night was next level for Keenan. Even more so given the level of vociferous support inside a venue which had previously had only disappointing memories against Six Nations rivals France in October 2020 (his second cap) and 2022.

"Probably the biggest wasn't it? It's been in the pipeline. God, I was nervous this week, I met my girlfriend briefly this morning and she thought I looked sick!

"I felt good once I got out there, it's a pressure environment. Stade de France hasn't been kind to us in the past, there's a pressure lurking that we were keen personally and as a team from that loss to France two years ago and learn from that.

"Jeez, that support was incredible. The Irish crowd are amazing, the numbers, the amount of people who made the effort to get over here and support us - it made some difference.

"You need to harness it at the right times and I think the forwards did. I'm sure South Africa felt under the cosh at times when the 60-odd-thousand Irish fans are cheering for us, it does make a difference.

"There's times you have to ignore it during play and just do your job, but you also have to embrace it and make the most of it. The walkaround after the game was incredibly special, I saw some familiar faces which makes it extra cool."

Like the rest of the squad, Keenan was intending on making the most of his downtime this week before preparations for the Scotland game on October 7 begin in earnest on Wednesday at Ireland’s Stade de la Chambrerie training complex in Tours.

"It's nice, got a couple of days off so I'll chill with the girlfriend and catch up with my parents.

"I'll do a night in Paris (last Sunday), then head back towards Tours.

"It's a nice thing to have, a little escape, nice to get a bit of recovery in but we'll definitely be looking at the game, reviewing it and getting the body ready for training this week.

"Won't be completely switching off."