Eire wing Mack Hansen described Saturday’s 13-8 win over reigning World Cup champions South Africa as a “Grand Slam on steroids”.
The win underlined Eire’s standing because the world’s primary crew after their Grand Slam on this 12 months’s Six Nations.
“They’re so huge and bodily and so they confirmed up tonight. The followers obtained us over the road there,” Hansen instructed ITV Sport.
“It was like a Grand Slam on steroids on the market. It was loopy.”
“It appeared like there was 800,000 [fans at the Stade de France]. It was unimaginable on the market and we wanted each single one in every of them to get a job carried out towards a very good South African aspect.”
The victory leaves coach Andy Farrell’s aspect clear on the high of Pool B and with one foot within the quarter-finals, the place hosts France or extra possible New Zealand would await.
Eire have by no means obtained previous the final eight of a World Cup and Hansen says his aspect will swap their focus to Scotland on 7 October to make sure their place within the knockout levels is safe, moderately than waiting for any potential quarter-final.
“They’re the defending champions and so they know precisely what it takes to win this World Cup,” Hansen added about South Africa’s problem.
“To get a win over them is nearly as good as it may get actually. It offers us a number of power and a number of perception.
“We’ve got a tricky week towards a very good Scotland aspect and if we get the win there, and all the things goes effectively, it is both France or New Zealand [in the quarter-finals].
“It does not get any simpler in any respect. We’ll take this win and revel in it for now, then it’s straight on to the subsequent.”
I’ve by no means witnessed something prefer it – Aki
After scoring 4 tries in Eire’s opening two matches, Bundee Aki produced one other participant of the match efficiency as the lads in inexperienced made it three wins from three in Pool B.
After the match, the music Zombie was sung by the Irish assist and drowned out the general public deal with system that was taking part in the Cranberries basic on the Stade de France.
“I am misplaced for phrases. These Irish followers are unimaginable,” stated Aki.
“Actually, I’ve by no means, ever witnessed something prefer it, the travelling crowd.
“It is a joke, fully a joke and it is solely going to get greater and crazier from right here on in.
“Honest play to the boys for taking part in that effectively right now. South Africa are an impressive crew. They’re world champions for a cause.”
Aki stated he knew the Springboks’ problem could be robust and stated that the Irish mentality was key in getting a end result towards the reigning champions.
“As a bunch and as a crew we knew coming into this recreation, we knew we needed to be quite a bit higher than the earlier video games, in all areas of our recreation,” the centre added.
“We knew South Africa had been going to deliver it to us and look, they did. They put us beneath an immense quantity of strain however we trusted one another and the assumption we now have on this group is excellent.”
