Injury-hit Irish sink world champions
MACK HANSEN scored a scintillating try as Ireland shrugged off a host of injury setbacks to cement their status as rugby’s top-ranked nation by holding on for a tense win over world champions South Africa.
The eye-catching score added to a bulldozing effort from Josh van der Flier as Andy Farrell’s in-form hosts laid down a marker ahead of next year’s World Cup poolstage meeting with the Springboks.
‘It was a crucial test and it wasy always going to be,’ said Ireland head coach Farrell. ‘It’s a fantastic result to move forward with. We stood up tall to get the win.’
Scores from replacement Franco Mostert and Kurt-Lee Arendse brought the tourists to within touching distance late on but the hosts, aided by nine points from captain Johnny Sexton, dug in to begin their autumn campaign with a bang.
Victory, however, came at a cost as centre Stuart
McCloskey, centurion Conor Murray and prop Tadhg Furlong were each forced off due to first-half injuries.
Both teams traded two penalties each as the first half ended 6-6.
Following a lengthy video check, Ireland claimed the first score of the bruising contest seven minutes after the restart when Van der Flier managed to ground wide on the left just before a rolling maul was bulldozed into touch.
Magical cross-field play sparked by Caelan Doris’ superb offload involved Van der Flier, Andrew Porter, Finlay Bealham, Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Beirne, Hugo Keenan and O’Brien, before Hansen dived over on the left, prompting roars of delight on the terraces.
South Africa responded with late tries from Mostert and Arendse but a penalty in between those scored from Sexton ultimately won the day.