Ireland have a point to prove

After winning their first-ever Test Match against the Boks in South Africa on June 11 at Newlands, the Irish looked set to wrap up the series in Johannesburg last weekend before a late surge by the Boks saw them fall short 26-32 after leading 19-3 at half-time and 26-10 going into the final quarter.

With one match to go in the series, Ireland wing Andrew Trimble said they want to prove to people that they are capable of winning a series in the Southern Hemisphere. 

"It is up to us to convince other people," said Trimble.

"I think we are aware that we can be a quality side and we can win Test matches and we can come to the Southern Hemisphere and win games. 

"But there is no one else talking about that - we need to prove that and back that talk up. We did that at Newlands and we showed a lot of character.

"We played some really good rugby that we are really proud of, but to be taken seriously we need to back that up and we didn't do that at the weekend [at Ellis Park]."

After their loss in the second Test, Trimble said they will need to improve their physical game if they are to get the better of the Boks at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

"It was a tough battle out there - it was very physical and very fast in the first half especially. 

"In the second half we were just taking a lot of heat and a lot of punishment. Physically we were a long way second best in the second half.

"We did not win any collisions and few boys are still feeling those hits. We are not going whinge, but we are looking forward to getting back out there and putting things right.

"I think it is important that we get some perspective back and remember that we still have a great opportunity to create a bit of history," Trimble added. 

By Warren Fortune

@rugby365com