Schalk Burger claims Ireland ‘get away’ with illegalities after dissecting ‘exceptionally lucky’ Argentina win
Ireland taking on Argentina in 2024 and Springboks legend Schalk Burger.
Springboks legend Schalk Burger believes that Ireland have mastered the art of the breakdown, which enables them to avoid being penalised for potential illegalities.
The contact area is a facet of the game that Andy Farrell’s men have consistently excelled in as they rose to the top of the game.
According to Burger, that was once again in evidence in their victory over Argentina and possibly saved them from another Autumn Nations Series defeat.
Although Ireland are struggling to find their rhythm in other areas, the former South Africa flanker insists that they have been able to rely on their tricks at the breakdown to get them out of trouble.
Ireland’s work at the contact area
“Ireland’s got that ability to get away with stuff at the breakdown, whether it’s a late counter-ruck or just swimming past or lying in that pathway to the breakdown, where you as a cleaner get bumped and the nine’s got to jump over someone,” he said on the Boks Office podcast.
“It gives them one ruck to set their defence and they come back at you.”
After their victory over the Springboks in July, expectation was high for Ireland heading into the November campaign, but they were beaten by the All Blacks and only narrowly overcame Los Pumas 22-19.
Burger felt that the hosts were “exceptionally lucky” to edge past the South Americans after they just about managed to withstand a second-half fightback from Felipe Contepomi’s men.
“I think they (Argentina) left themselves too much to do in that second half but, when they get a bit of a tailwind behind them and they start running, start making breaks and the tempo they play at, they can put any team to the sword,” he said.
“Ireland were exceptionally lucky to get away with a victory in the end, even though the Argentinian side will be disappointed with how they started that game.”
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‘Transition’
The Springboks great believes that Ireland’s issues are bigger than just a lack of form in the Autumn Nations Series, suggesting that they are in “transition.”
Farrell’s side won the 2024 Six Nations with Jack Crowley impressively steering the ship from fly-half following Johnny Sexton’s retirement, but he struggled against the All Blacks.
There was a vast improvement from Crowley in the first half against Argentina, but in the second period he lost control of the match.
It has been reported that the highly talented Sam Prendergast will come in at pivot for the Fiji clash and Burger reckons that the 21-year-old could be the answer at 10.
“I think they are going through a bit of a transition,” he said. “If you think at blindside, [Peter] O’Mahony is on his way out and with Sexton gone, who is the 10? Prendergast is the guy who we look at and think, ‘geez, he’s got a silky skill set’.”
Although Burger reckons that Ireland could suffer in the short-term as they look to find the squad that will take them into the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the 41-year-old still believes that there is a core of players who are still playing at a very high level.
“You’ve got players like Gibson-Park and James Lowe, they’re exceptional at what they do, so too Caelan Doris, who is nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year,” he added.
