Rory Keane reports from Port Elizabeth
ALLISTER COETZEE HAS predicted Ireland will play a more expansive attacking game against South Africa in the forthcoming series decider.
Coetzee has been very vocal about Ireland’s style in previous weeks claiming Joe Schmidt’s side “weren’t interesting in playing” following their 26-20 victory in the opening Test at Newlands, when the visitors were forced to play the match with 14 men for 57 minutes following CJ Stander’s red card.
With the series locked at 1-1 apiece, Coetzee has made just two changes to the side for the third and final test here in Port Elizabeth with the Lions pair of Warren Whitely and Ruan Combrinck winning promotions having impressed so much from the bench last time out.
Ahead of this weekend’s finale, Coetzee has predicated a more daring approach from Ireland at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“It will be test across the field,” said Coetzee.
“There will be contests and battles and we expect that. This is their last game of the season. They will come hard. This is their chance to clinch the series. There will be something new from the Irish. They have quite a clever coaching team but we are prepared.”
“Ireland might be looking at regaining possession much more than just kicking it deep, going nice and short from the kick-off to contest and get territory again. So we will have to cover the whole field. I also think they will have to have a go more than in the previous two tests and keep ball in hand. It’s going to be true test in itself.
“They have a new centre combination so they will want to get the ball into [Andrew] Trimble’s hands more. So we have a good feel of that to expect.”
Despite the fact the Ireland have scored four tries in this series thus far, Coetzee sees Schmidt’s men as an industrious side that relies on penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“This is one of those Tests where you have to chuck in the kitchen sink,” he continued.
“If you’re chasing a game, you won’t win it by kicking penalties, you need to score tries and I think the fact that we scored four in the last couple of minutes shows that you can actually win a game by scoring tries not just kicking penalties.
“You cannot just rely on kicking penalties or scoring a drop goal, at some point you have to start scoring tries.”
Saturday’s final Test brings and end to a fascinating series that has included thrilling encounters at Newlands and Ellis Park.
By the final whistle, Schmidt will have used all 32 players that boarded the plane from Dublin almost three weeks ago while Coetzee has blooded a host of new talent including Faf de Klerk and Combrinck.
“Just six points have separated the sides in both games so far, Ireland’s heroic 26-20 victory in Cape Town a six-point defeat in Johannesburg having lead 26-10 with 18 minutes to go. A thrilling finale awaits in three days’ time.
“It will be another huge battle between the sides on Saturday‚” Coetzee added.
“Both sides have suffered injuries before and during the series‚ but that it is part of the game and it again provides opportunities for others to come in and stake their claim.
“We know what is at stake on Saturday. It is a matter of winner takes all scenario. This group of players will continue to grow together as a team and Saturday they have the opportunity to gain more experience by playing together.”
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