We’re not too short of classy backs in Irish rugby but one of the Springbok wings thinks we also have France’s David Skrela to call on too.
South African rugby players wouldn’t be short of confidence and when they travel together as the Springboks they tend to carry an air of superiority around with them.
In fairness, it is well founded and they have won two World Cups in just five appearances. So was it arrogance or a genuine mistake that was made by wing JP Pietersen at a presser yesterday?
Speaking about the back line he will be trying to beat on Saturday at the Aviva, Pietersen said that Tommy Bowe and David Skrela were the only two names he knew.
A bit of a slap in the face there to Andrew Trimble but we do know that the Super 15 lads don’t pay much attention to Heineken Cup and the likes. Still, according to RTE, Trimble wasn’t too upset.
“David Skrela? That’s an unusual one! You want to get as much respect out of opposition teams as possible,” Trimble said when told about Pietersen’s comment.
“I’ll have to make sure he knows my name by the end of the match!
“It’s not something I’d use for motivation, I’m not going to suddenly think ‘he doesn’t know my name, I’ll make him pay’.
“It was probably only a mistake. I’m guessing we watch a lot more of the Rugby Championship than they do the Six Nations.”
We suspect your guess is correct Andrew.
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