‘HE CAN’T TIE VICTOR’S SHOELACES’ – SPRINGBOKS LEGEND AND COACH LAUNCH STUNNING ATTACK ON SAM WARBURTON AND IRELAND
Springboks legend Victor Matfield has fired back at Sam Warburton’s claim that Ireland are the best team in the world in a stunning counter on South African TV.
Appearing on SuperSport’s Final Whistle, Matfield was joined as a guest by former Lions head coach Swys de Bruin and the pair went all out on Warburton and Ireland.
Former Wales flank Warburton told the BBC’s Rugby Union Daily podcast in February that he believed Andy Farrell’s men were the number one rugby nation on the planet.
Matfield fires back
And the Final Whistle talk show has now dug up the comment that has clearly irked both Matfield and De Bruin, with the former not holding back on the Welsh legend.
“I don’t think he has (Warburton) made a final, no, he hasn’t made a World Cup final. He hasn’t made a semi-final of a World Cup. Now you want to tell everyone that Ireland, who hasn’t made a semi-final in a World Cup, is the best team in the world when South Africa has won back-to-back,” former Springbok Matfield stressed in a heated debate.
“He must live in his own world.”
Warburton has, of course, played in a Rugby World Cup semi-final for Wales, against France in New Zealand in 2011, but was unfortunately red-carded for a tip tackle.
Matfield’s comments were a precursor for his and De Bruin’s take on Ireland and also pundits from the northern hemisphere, who De Bruin thinks sensationalise news.
“The pundits overseas, they are sensational guys. It’s not about facts. Victor gave the facts,” said De Bruin.
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“Sam is a great player but he can’t tie Victor’s shoelaces when it comes to experience and say what he wants to say.”
De Bruin was then asked by the host who is currently the best team in the world, to which he swiftly responded: “How can you ask me that? South Africa, Springboks.”
Soon after, Matfield would double down on his view of Ireland and highlighted Leinster’s semi-final defeat to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship (URC) as a concern.
“I am wondering at this stage if Ireland is the second-best team. Two years ago, before the World Cup, Ireland was really on a high,” the 47-year-old ex-Bulls forward continued.
“I mean they (Leinster) come over with 14 of their starters and can’t beat the Bulls.
“They will be a different team. If you put a Bundee (Aki) at 12 that gives them momentum it makes them a different team.”
However, De Bruin is worried for Ireland up front and believes that prop Andrew Porter’s personal battle with Wilco Louw in the recent URC clash is a major cause for concern.
“Their tight five. Porter got scrummed by Wilco Louw who is arguably our number three or four tighthead. He’s not in the squad so he’s number four,” he said.
“All games are won and lost up front. Their locks can’t dominate if the front-row don’t dominate so I’ll tell you now that Ireland side is three or four (in the world), if they’re lucky.”
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2024-06-30T12:42:14Z dg43tfdfdgfd