The ‘Team of Us’ vibe lasted a few, precious minutes.
Jamie Heaslip teamed up with his old Ireland teammates, on Saturday, as part of the Amazon Prime coverage of a Bank of Ireland Nations Series classic at Aviva Stadium.
Ireland defeated the world champion Springboks 19-16 in a tight, pulsating game and reaffirmed their position atop the world rankings. Johnny Sexton kicked nine points and tries from Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen helped settle matters.
Heaslip teamed up with Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo, with who he started a 2014 Test win over the Boks, as part of the Amazon coverage, along with South African legend Bryan Habana.
On the set of @PeakyBlinders__ 😜
Cracker of a game at the Aviva and gutted for the Boks!!@TommyBowe absolute class anchoring our @primevideosport coverage of @irishrugby vs @Springboks.
Great craic with @jamieheaslip @SimonZebo @edjackson8!!#PrimeVideo #ANS pic.twitter.com/y98c0GMwS6
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) November 5, 2022
It's great craic with the commentary team on Amazon though. Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo and Bryan Habana and Jamie Heaslip. Great stuff. #IREvRSA
— Emma Gee Flowers Music ☘️ (@EmmaFlowersBand) November 5, 2022
Jamie Heaslip on Ireland’s late changes
As a former Leinster, Ireland and Lions No.8, Jamie Heaslip knows all about facing off against some of the toughest sides in world rugby.
He was on co-commentary duty, as well as providing some punditry insights. Heaslip ruffled a few feathers by wondering why Johnny Sexton was going for the posts with a late penalty, rather than kicking for touch. Sure, Ireland had mauled over for van der Flier’s try, but Sexton did land the kick and it put Ireland eight points clear, with mere minutes to play.
The biggest gripe some Ireland fans – particularly those that support Ulster – had, though, was Heaslip questioning the decision to replace Dan Sheehan with Rob Herring, on 63 minutes.
The Ulster hooker, described as Ireland’s ‘third choice’ by Heaslip helped Andy Farrell’s side see out the game, even if there were nervy moments with two unconverted tries getting the Boks close.
Shocking from Jamie Heaslip.
23 man squad game at the highest level….He wouldn’t be saying what he did, if it was a Leinster hooker coming onto the pitch!
— Glen Graham 🏏🏉 (@GlenGraham2) November 5, 2022
That’s awful from Heaslip. This is a 23 man game. No doubting Sheehan is a class player but the coaching ticket has a plan.
Really disappointed with that.
— Ian Frizzell (@rava_ian) November 5, 2022
That was the tip of the spear, as several Ulster supporters waded in to defend Rob Herring and stress that 23-man squads are needed to get over the line, in modern rugby.
Herring may yet get a starting chance against Fiji, next Saturday, while Sheehan is held back and primed for the November 19 clash with an Australia side that pushed France to the wire, on Saturday night.
Related stories:
- Full Ireland player ratings as world champions South Africa outgunned in thriller
- Cheslin Kolbe gets away with one after dangerous dump tackle on Mack Hansen
- “Ireland are the team that can put South Africa back in their box” – Stephen Ferris
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