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Video Analysis: Here’s how Paul O’Connell and Robbie Henshaw felled a Springbok giant

Published 14:05 10 Nov 2014 GMT

Patrick McCarry
Video Analysis: Here’s how Paul O’Connell and Robbie Henshaw felled a Springbok giant

Homerugby

Marcell Coetzee was proving to be a general menace to Ireland for 65 minutes on Saturday as he thundered into tackles, scored off a rolling maul and fended Jamie Heaslip into next week.

The Sharks flanker was one of the few Springboks that shone during their 29-15 to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. With the Boks trailing by six points, going into the final 15 minutes, replacement scrum-half Cobus Reinach located a charging Coetzee.  If he broke the Irish defensive line he would have been one-on-one with Rob Kearney, who was already drifting out to cover the right wing. Irish fans need not have worried as Paul O'Connell teamed up with Robbie Henshaw to deliver a crunching stop that resulted in a crucial turnover. Despite giving up 30lbs to Coetzee, Henshaw stood tall while his captain wrapped the marauding South African around the midriff. Ireland won their scrum - despite Mike Ross hitting the deck - and Johnny Sexton cleared their lines. This Irish supporter approved: O'Connell attempted 17 tackles throughout his 80-minute stint. He did not once miss the mark.

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Video Analysis: Here's how Paul O'Connell and Robbie Henshaw felled a Springbok giant