Sir John Kirwan didn't hold back when he dismissed claims by Springboks legend Victor Matfield that France’s upcoming clash would be tougher than a match at Eden Park. As France gears up to host South Africa at the Stade de France, the venue of their painful exit from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, revenge is certainly on the menu.
Despite the Springboks' recent success, including consecutive Rugby Championship titles and a monumental win over the All Blacks in Wellington, Matfield tagged his team as the "underdogs" against the Six Nations champions. "This weekend, I think it’s probably our toughest Test of the year, even tougher than going down to Eden Park. I think it’s going to be harder to beat them," Matfield stated, highlighting the challenges they face against a rejuvenated French team.
"I can’t believe you say you’re underdogs, you can’t play that card anymore, you’re not. You’re world champions."
During a podcast with Andrew Trimble and Kirwan, the conversation took a light-hearted turn as Trimble teased Matfield about not leveraging his World Cup victories. Matfield defended his stance, opting for a more subdued approach. "I’m hiding that away this week, I’m nice and humble this week. I’m a bit worried about the weekend so I’m really humble," he confessed.
Kirwan, though mocking Matfield’s humility, couldn’t hide his respect for French rugby. "The French, after seeing them down in New Zealand with not their top side, they’re one of the best rugby nations in the world, from A-Z," he remarked. Kirwan emphasized the importance of regular victories against top southern hemisphere teams for France's confidence heading into future competitions.
He pointed out the psychological edge that comes with such wins, recalling how England's 2003 triumph was spurred by earlier victories in the southern hemisphere, including against New Zealand. "They beat us last year in November, but they need to get these scalps under their belt if they want to go into the World Cup and actually be really, really confident," Kirwan concluded, underlining the stakes for the French team in their upcoming encounter.
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Sir John Kirwan didn't hold back when he dismissed claims by Springboks legend Victor Matfield that France’s upcoming clash would be tougher than a match at Eden Park. As France gears up to host South Africa at the Stade de France, the venue of their painful exit from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, revenge is certainly on the menu.
Despite the Springboks' recent success, including consecutive Rugby Championship titles and a monumental win over the All Blacks in Wellington, Matfield tagged his team as the "underdogs" against the Six Nations champions. "This weekend, I think it’s probably our toughest Test of the year, even tougher than going down to Eden Park. I think it’s going to be harder to beat them," Matfield stated, highlighting the challenges they face against a rejuvenated French team.
"I can’t believe you say you’re underdogs, you can’t play that card anymore, you’re not. You’re world champions."
During a podcast with Andrew Trimble and Kirwan, the conversation took a light-hearted turn as Trimble teased Matfield about not leveraging his World Cup victories. Matfield defended his stance, opting for a more subdued approach. "I’m hiding that away this week, I’m nice and humble this week. I’m a bit worried about the weekend so I’m really humble," he confessed.
Kirwan, though mocking Matfield’s humility, couldn’t hide his respect for French rugby. "The French, after seeing them down in New Zealand with not their top side, they’re one of the best rugby nations in the world, from A-Z," he remarked. Kirwan emphasized the importance of regular victories against top southern hemisphere teams for France's confidence heading into future competitions.
He pointed out the psychological edge that comes with such wins, recalling how England's 2003 triumph was spurred by earlier victories in the southern hemisphere, including against New Zealand. "They beat us last year in November, but they need to get these scalps under their belt if they want to go into the World Cup and actually be really, really confident," Kirwan concluded, underlining the stakes for the French team in their upcoming encounter.