Post-Match Reaction: Ireland U-19 5 South Africa U-19 31

See below for post-match reaction to Friday’s IRB Under-19 World Championship match between Ireland and South Africa at Ravenhill. Included are the opinions of Ireland coach Charlie McAleese and captain Paul Ryan.

IRELAND COACH CHARLIE MCALEESE:

– ON HIS SIDE’S PERFORMANCE –

“Disappointed with the result, but certainly not disappointed with the team. We had 21 absolute heroes out there tonight. Just before South Africa scored their last try, these guys were still putting their bodies on the line and they were giving three or four stone away to bigger boys.

“Certainly disappointed would be the wrong word. I’m absolutely proud of all the players that played. The disadvantage, physically, that they played at and the skill levels they showed in trying to move the ball athletically around the field to counter act that, I was extremely proud of Paul (Ryan) and his team tonight.

“I think my guys have stood up well throughout the competition, despite being at obvious disadvantages to the bigger teams. The commitment to the cause is phenomenal. My guys play right to the final whistle, and they will do that again.”

– ON PREPARING HIS PLAYERS FOR THE PLAY-OFFS –

“We’re going to rest them and patch them and then push them out and probably make unreasonable demands on them again.

“The tournament is not over yet, we have two must-win games ahead of us still and we will play to the end. We will use these last two games to progress and improve the players as best we can.

“The crowd have been unbelievable so far and we just hope the support continues for our last two games.”

IRELAND CAPTAIN PAUL RYAN:

– ON FACING A TOUGH SOUTH AFRICAN PACK –

“It was tough, they made it very difficult to compete at the breakdown. Their rucking was excellent, they were low and very physical. They were one of the toughest packs I’ve played against.”

– ON PREPARING FOR THE NEXT GAME –

“(We’re) feeling good. It’s all about the recovery in this tournament. We’ve got a great staff behind us who help us tremendously. We’ll do a lot of recovery in the next two days, they’ll make us all fresh and we’ll be perfect for the next game.”