Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok coaches Rassie Erasmus, Jack Nienaber and Felix Jones have revealed what they think has made Ireland such a successful team.
The trio of coaches worked together in Munster before Erasmus and Ninavar returned to South Africa to manage the Springboks, who later welcomed Irishman Jones to the coaching staff.
After successfully leading the Springboks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles, Ninavar returned to Ireland and joined Leo Cullen’s staff at Leinster, where England scouted Jones.
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Another excerpt from the interview, not used in the documentary series Chasing the Sun 2, reveals how Andy Farrell’s side aim to win the Six Nations Grand Slam and qualify for the World Cup in 2023. The trio explained what they believe has made Ireland such a force in World Rugby. 1st ranked side.
Jones spoke highly of his compatriot in the second episode of Chasing the Sun 2, which focused on the World Cup pool stage clash between South Africa and Ireland in France last year.
“Irish players are incredibly skilled and are probably on par with New Zealand, if not better in skill,” Jones said in the article. Betway exclusive clip.
“And I think they’ve developed so much depth in so many positions and developed so many world-class players that they’re not just reliant on one or two players. ”
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Erasmus and Ninavar then explain the dynamics of Ireland’s rugby setup and how it differs from South Africa.
“The biggest thing about Ireland is that even though we have four provinces, we don’t have many rugby players,” Erasmus said.
The Irish team is 70 or 80 per cent Leinster, and Leinster play together in the URC and the Champions Cup. You don’t have to recruit and coach new players every time.Half of the team that’s going to be here. [the World Cup] Or perhaps when we play them in June, Leinster-based players will be involved. ”
Nienaber added: “I think they have 160 contracted rugby players. [Springboks] There are 400 or 600 professional rugby players.
“So we have the luxury that when a guy is struggling to catch passes or struggling to pass to the left, you work with him a little bit, but if he doesn’t get better. Here comes a new genius, we just have to choose him and he will come again.
“That’s the first thing, they [Ireland] We do precision farming. ”
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Jones has played and coached in Irish facilities and is familiar with the set-up.
“Ireland’s pathway is very well developed, very streamlined, very efficient and the players are developing into very complete players with very rounded skill sets.” he explained.
Exclusive content from Chasing the Sun 2 – “The Soul of Ireland”
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But Nienaber believes that’s partly due to the level of detail coaches give their players.
“What probably struck me the most when I was in Ireland was how detailed they coached their players,” said the Boks’ former head coach.
“It’s the minute details. When I was here in South Africa before I went to South Africa, I didn’t go into even a tenth of the detail and subtlety that they do.”
Mr Jones concluded: So I think that’s probably why Ireland have been the best team in the world over the past couple of seasons. ”
Ireland narrowly defeated South Africa 13-8 in the pool stage of the World Cup, but failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals for the first time in the tournament’s history.
They lost 24-28 to New Zealand, but bounced back in 2024 to win the Six Nations title again.
Farrell will head to South Africa in July this year for the much-awaited two-match Test match series against the defending World Cup champions.
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