Henderson the enforcer inspires record Irish win

ON A night when Ireland demolished the Springboks in a record rout, Iain Henderson announced himself as the home side’s new enforcer. All the great rugby teams have a teak-tough lock in their engine room, an uncompromising character who sets the tone with his physicality and presence. On Saturday night, it was Henderson (right) dishing out the punishment. The sight of the Ulster lock trampling over South Africa’s stand-out second-rower, Eben Etzebeth, was one of the highlights of a stunning Irish display. ‘Hendy’s a special player, I’ve known him and played alongside him for a good few years now, and he’s just a special player,’ said Devin Toner. ‘He’s a monster in the gym and a monster on the pitch. He’s turned into the enforcer. It’s amazing, especially when you have someone who is a talisman like Etzebeth — he’s their captain, he’s renowned for being the physical man on the pitch. When you see Hendy stand up to him and get the better of him, it’s brilliant and gives your team a real gee-up.’ Ireland recorded their biggest victory over South Africa thanks to a ruthless display masterminded by the half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton. Three Sexton penalties and a first Test try from wing Andrew Conway had the home side 14-0 up at the break. A penalty from Boks fly-half Elton Jantjies was all the visitors could muster in the second half. Rhys Ruddock, Rob Herring and Jacob Stockdale crossed in the last 10 minutes as Ireland finished with a flourish. It was another tactical masterclass from head coach Joe Schmidt, who said: ‘You can only do what you can do and they did a really good job. I suppose if we’d really had to fight and get a two-point win, we’d be delighted as well.’