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Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
'We were just really dog s**t'; Rassie brutally honest after Springboks shocking defeat to Australia
There was a huge shock in Ellis Park as Australia came from 22-0 down to win 38-22 against the Springboks. It was the Wallabies first win in Johannesburg since 1963 but it didn't look like it would go that way at the start at Springbok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse scored the games first try after just 93 seconds. With further tries from André Esterhuizen and captain Siya Kolisi on top of a Mannie Libbok penalty it looked like South Africa had the match won as they were 22-0 up after 17 minutes. However as they showed in the second and third test of the Lions series The Wallabies have a new edge to them and they fought hard at the breakdown to get back to the game. Dylan Pietsch got a try to get Australia on the scoresheet before halftime but it was in the second half when things went up a notch for Australia. South Africa's captain and number eight Siya Kolisi celebrates after scoring a try. Pic: WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images Harry Wilson walked in for a try after a sumptuous pop from the Ulster-bound Angus Bell. That made it 22-12 and the game but it was the final 25 minutes when the game flipped on its head. The catalyst for it all was a stray Mannie Libbok pass which was picked up by Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i with the league convert cantering under the posts unopposed. Then Wilson scored again after an amazing run from Tom Wright to give Australia the lead before Max Jorgensen scored just moments later after a beautiful step past Libbok as Australia now had a two score lead heading into the final stages. Harry Wilson runs with the ball to score a try as South Africa's fly-half Manie Libbok misses a tackle. Pic: WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images Wright put the cherry on top of the cake after picking up a loose pass to give Australia a monumental win in their Rugby Championship campaign. It was as bad a title defence as it could've been for South Africa in the Rugby Championship and as ever Rassie Erasmus didn't hold back when speaking to the media afterwards. 'This is probably one of the most embarrassing press conferences I've done in a while,' the ex-Munster coach said. 'Not because we were awful, but they were really good. And I don't want to put the old cliché out there, credit to them. They were good, but we made them better with our performance. To be 22-0 up, we did the same against Italy, when 28-3 up, and then we let teams back in. Australia's centre Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii dives across the line to score. Pic: WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images 'We gave them one or two soft tries – an intercept here [Sua'ali'i's try], a pass from Andre [Esterhuizen] that went to them [Wright's try].' He heaped plenty of praise onto Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, wholly admitting that the ex-Leinster and Ireland coach had outdone him and his coaching team this time. 'They were just better than us on the day in most departments. We didn't scrum them. They beat us in the lineouts. For the first 25 minutes we were good at the breakdown, but after Siya [Kolisi] got injured and Marco [van Staden] had to go for an HIA, they bullied us there too. We as coaches got it terribly wrong. Rassie Erasmus. Pic: WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images 'It wasn't just tactical – they also physically dominated us. The longer the game went on, the stronger they got. At altitude, that's supposed to be us. It shows what Joe [Schmidt] is building there. He then stopped sugarcoating it all, if he hadn't already by summing up his thoughts. 'I can butter this up to sound cool and respectful, but we were just really dog s**t on the day.' South Africa will have a chance to get revenge next week as this time they go down to see level at Cape Town to face Australia once again at the DHL Stadium. The game is on next Saturday with Kick-off at 4:30pm Irish time and live on Sky Sports.
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Rassie Erasmus pours fuel on fire as Munster accused of being ‘cry babies' by Sharks fans over cramp flashpoint
RASSIE Erasmus has waded into the war of words between Munster and Sharks fans since the controversial end to Saturday's battle. 100 minutes of fiercely contested action couldn't separate the two sides before the home club eventually progressed to the URC play-off semi-finals Advertisement 5 Jack Crowley was clearly seen shouting 'f*** off' during his bust-up with Jaden Hendrikse 5 The ex-Munster boss has now backed up his countrymen in the raging debate 5 It's since come to be known as 'wink-gate' Credit: X 5 It must be said a few of the South African memes are funny if frustrating Credit: X During said shoot-out, Sharks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse collapsed to the ground moments after converting his second kick. It's worth noting that this came after earlier Niall Scannell was the only man across the two teams to miss any of their kicks as the Reds' season came to a bitter end after a monumental effort in Durban. While Sharks' staff didn't conduct themselves in the most gracious of ways while also arguing with Crowley, Hendrikse has emerged as the chief villain for disgruntled Munster supporters. Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport And now a man with allegiance to both Munster and South African rugby has waded into the ongoing debate on Hendrikse's alleged "s***housery". Erasmus tweeted a zoomed in photo of Hendrikse's legs, seemingly showcasing that they did look to be genuinely tensed up due to a painful calf cramp. Alongside it, the 52-year-old added a caption merely containing an emoji of a man shrugging his shoulders. It's been taken as Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Among the replies, one person commented: "Irish, Scots and Welsh super pathetic cry babies." While Vince pointed out: "I thought this was classic. They didn't miss the kick at this interaction so no influence on the result. At least he didn't swear a book load of swear words at everyone…." 'Jack Crowley he's coming for you' jokes Peter O'Mahony's wife Jess as son practices his rugby skills Lastly, another Springbok follower added: "The Irish have to be the pettiest rugby fans on the planet. "Even when they lost against the All Blacks in the RWC there was some unsportsmanlike allegations against the ABs yet the entire rugby community had to put up with Johnny Sexton for a decade." Advertisement Premier Sports pundit - and former and star - Alan Quinlan accused their opposition sideline of 'shocking behaviour'. He fumed: "It's shocking really, the way they're behaving, the people on the sideline there. They're obviously screaming and shouting stuff at the Munster players. 5 Erasmus himself is well-known for deploying mind games to help his side win Credit: Rex "It's obviously not very sportsmanlike. Unlike Rory Scannell there to respond as well." Advertisement Saturday's defeat was the final game in the Munster careers of O'Mahony and Archer will be hanging up the boots for good at the end of the season, while Murray will be continuing his career abroad. MUNSTER MEN And interim Munster head coach Ian Costello paid tribute to the departing trio. He said: "Those three are exceptional people and legends of Munster rugby. 'And they've left, or they will leave, a massive legacy behind. That's going to be very difficult for us to live up to and fill, but that's what you want. Advertisement 'You want somebody to leave it in a better place. And they've left the jersey in an unbelievably good place. Now it's for everyone else in the dressing room, moving on to next year, to live up to that. 'There's also our team manager, Niall O'Donovan, who's an even longer servant of Munster rugby. It was his last game as well. "The last few weeks have been pretty special in terms of making sure those boys got a good send-off, which is why tonight was particularly disappointing.'
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Johann van Graan savours European glory as Bath seek treble
Johann van Graan was delighted that Bath were "enjoying the journey together" after they completed the second leg of a possible trophy treble. Bath's 37-12 victory over Lyon saw them lift the EPCR Challenge Cup in Cardiff to clinch their first major silverware since winning the same competition in 2008. They add the Challenge Cup to Premiership Cup success earlier this season and the ex-Munster head coach is two victories away from leading the side to league title glory for the first time since 1996. "This is a moment in time," Bath head of rugby Van Graan said. "We will enjoy what this trophy represents. "We are enjoying our journey together and it is huge for the whole group. We all fight for each other. "We have taken it step by step by step from the start and it is a group that wants to achieve together. "Everyone has pulled together, every day on the training pitch and I give credit to the leadership group and all the players." Van Graan's team overcame first-half yellow cards for Sam Underhill and Will Muir at the Principality Stadium – they had 13 players for four minutes – to subdue dogged opponents and post the tournament's biggest winning margin in a final since 1998. Tries from hooker Tom Dunn, centre Max Ojomoh, prop Beno Obano and captain Ben Spencer saw Bath home, while Spencer's half-back partner Finn Russell kicked four conversions and three penalties. Spencer told Premier Sports: "I thought we showed a different level of intensity tonight that we've not seen this season. "I am just so proud to be able to give the fans what they deserve after so many years of hurt. "We speak a lot about working hard for each other and the yellow card period is something we pride ourselves on. "When we go down to 14 it's not an ideal situation, but to not concede in that yellow card period I thought was outstanding. "The togetherness in this group is absolutely unbelievable. It's something we spoke about before the game in just being the best version of ourselves tonight and not playing the occasion, just playing the game." Lyon led through wing Ethan Dumortier's early score, with number eight Arno Botha also touching down – as fly-half Leo Berdeu added one conversion – but Bath were comfortable winners. And they appear to be on an unstoppable roll ahead of a Premiership play-off in two weeks' time, when their opponents could be west country rivals Bristol. Lyon coach Karim Ghezal said: "We didn't score when they were down to 13. They had two yellow cards. "One of them was rather dodgy. I will never complain about refereeing. "It is always hard losing a final. A lot of energy went into this tournament and we came here to win the cup. Bath are a very strong team, but we lacked efficiency."
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Bath dispatch Lyon to claim Challenge Cup
Bath stayed on course for a possible trophy treble after beating Lyon 37-12 to lift the EPCR Challenge Cup in Cardiff. It was Bath's first major silverware since they won the same competition in 2008 under the captaincy of current England head coach Steve Borthwick. They add the Challenge Cup to Premiership Cup success earlier this season, and are two victories away from league title glory in what is ex-Munster coach Johann van Graan's third season at the historic club. Van Graan's team overcame first-half yellow cards for Sam Underhill and Will Muir at the Principality Stadium to subdue dogged opponents and post the tournament's biggest winning margin in a final since 1998. Tries from hooker Tom Dunn, centre Max Ojomoh, prop Beno Obano and captain Ben Spencer saw Bath home, while Spencer's half-back partner Finn Russell kicked four conversions and three penalties. Former Irish international Quinn Roux started at lock for the winning Bath side, with Belfast's Niall Annett and ex-Leinster second-row Ross Molony being introduced as second half replacements. Lyon led through wing Ethan Dumortier's early score, with number eight Arno Botha also touching down – fly-half Leo Berdeu added one conversion – but Bath were comfortable winners. They appear to be on an unstoppable roll ahead of a Premiership play-off in two weeks' time, when their opponents could be west country rivals Bristol. Lyon monopolised possession from the kick-off, and they rocked Bath through a well-worked try after just four minutes. The forwards built strong attacking foundations, and Dumortier evaded Muir's challenge to cross in the corner, although referee Hollie Davidson consulted television replays before awarding it after checking Dumortier's foot was not in touch. Bath collected points from their first venture into Lyon's 22 when Russell kicked a penalty, and they soon grew into the contest, illustrated when centre Will Butt was only denied a try by Lyon scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud's saving tackle. The Premiership title favourites kept battling, though, and they were rewarded when Dunn took a quick penalty and dived over for a try that Russell converted. Lyon were firmly on the back foot, and Bath struck again after 25 minutes when Spencer fired out a long pass to Ojomoh, who finished impressively. Russell's conversion opened up a 12-point lead. The French side found it hard work finding a way through Bath's defence, although they gained a temporary numerical advantage 11 minutes before half-time when Underhill was yellow-carded following head-on-head contact with Lyon full-back Davit Niniashvili. Bath were guilty of more poor discipline just six minutes later after Muir tackled Dumortier in the air, and he also saw yellow. Lyon had to capitalise, but Dumortier was denied a second try after obstruction on Dunn at the back of a lineout, and Bath led 17-5 at the interval. A Russell penalty opened the second-half scoring, increasing Lyon's degree of difficulty, yet they responded impressively through Botha's powerful effort and Berdeu's conversion cut the deficit to eight points. Bath had no intention of letting things slip, and a try from Obano midway through the third quarter that Russell converted restored an element of breathing space. And Spencer's try 17 minutes from time took Bath past 30 points, ending Lyon's resistance, and then a long-range penalty completed an emphatic success.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Jesus wept – that's my mother!' Lions star stopped in his tracks in live TV interview
'Jesus wept – that's my mother!' Lions star stopped in his tracks in live TV interview Munster and Ireland star Peter O'Mahony was speaking after his side's win over Benetton in the URC when his mother was seen messing with Micheal Martin on live TV Munster, Ireland and Lions star Peter O'Mahony (Image: ) The summer's sporting events are sure to deliver plenty of memorable TV moments, but Peter O'Mahony couldn't have expected one involving his own mum and the Taoiseach during a cheeky live interview. While speaking to TG4 after a match in Musgrave Park last night, the Lions legend from Cork noticed his mother Caroline causing a bit of a stir on screen. She was brandishing an amusing sign featuring a lawnmower with the words 'I'm Peter O'Mahony's mum and I'm retiring from mowing the lawn!' Caught mid-interview, the ex-Munster and Ireland captain couldn't help but react as the camera shifted to Caroline O'Mahony, who was getting her poster photographed by none other than Taoiseach Micheal Martin. "Jesus wept, it's my mother, yeah!" responded a surprised O'Mahony, known among fans for his keen interest in gardening, often sharing his green-fingered endeavours online. The TV host added, 'And I think the Taoiseach is taking pictures of her!' reports Cork Beo. Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below Post-match, O'Mahony reflected on Munster's win over Benetton at Virgin Media Park, which furthers their season into the URC quarter-finals while ensuring Champions Cup rugby next term. Munster's followers certainly enjoyed the favourable weather and result at their venerable stadium. For O'Mahony though, it marked his last game in Cork, but he took solace in the presence of family, commenting to TG4: "It's great to have my family here, there's about 20 of my schoolfriends down here, the kids are here. "I was picking my young lad up from school and I met Dave O'Brien who was playing for Con when I was following Con and he said there were 20 of his mates going and it's brilliant to have support like this, and it's fantastic to be able to repay him with that kind of a performance, especially in the second half. "I will miss it, yeah." Post-match, captain Tadhg Beirne revealed that O'Mahony had rallied the troops at half-time after Benetton took a 14-10 lead into the break. When asked about the turnaround in the second half, the Reds' key player stated: "We stopped feeling a bit sorry for ourselves. "Some of our efforts were poor, getting up off the ground and stuff and we had a word at half time and said that we could either let the pressure get to us or we could walk tall into a defining 40 minutes for us and I thought we did that." Article continues below When questioned about the significance of the victory, O'Mahony responded: "It was obviously very important. Sitting in eighth, the only result we had to get was a win. We dealt with that and I think we ended up with a bonus point so that helps."
