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Jannie Du Plessis: and who's going to argue with him? Barry Aldworth/Sports Inc/Press Association Images

Du Plessis backs Ireland to reach World Cup Final

Springboks prop Jannie Du Plessis says he expects Ireland to outstrip their Six Nations rivals at this year’s tournament.

GIVEN THE IMPRESSIVE form of both sides, this weekend’s quarter-final clash between Ireland and Wales in Wellington could well prove crucial in determining the outcome of the World Cup.

That’s the view of South African prop forward Jannie Du Plessis, who’s been following the progress of the Six Nations sides at this year’s tournament with some interest.

Speaking to the Guardian’s Paul Rees, the 120-kilo prop explained how impressed he’d been with Ireland’s recent form:

“Ireland have been playing incredibly well… They have really stepped up and brilliant is the only word to describe them. Wales have also made a mark. They nearly beat us in the opening group game and any side that puts 66 points on Fiji commands respect. It is going to be some game between them on Saturday.”

Though he accepted Saturday’s match could swing either way, Du Plessis said he suspects it will be Ireland who will progress to the semi-finals and, ultimately, the final, if only because they’ve “shown that they can win big games in recent years”.

Du Plessis’s Springboks side will face Tri-Nations rivals Australia on Sunday.

Read more from Du Plessis in the Guardian>

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    Mute Larry Roe
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    Sep 6th 2012, 7:45 AM

    brilliant so far ,brilliant athletes,brilliant atmosphere,enjoying every minute of it :)

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    Mute Edward Timoney
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    Sep 6th 2012, 1:02 PM

    These Paralympics are absolutely brilliant. Channel 4 giving super coverage, thanks be to jaysus I have sky. I bet RTE regrets not covering it now seeing its so popular and the Irish athletes are doing us so proud. I wonder will they now cover the Rio Paralympic.

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    Mute David Walsh
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    Sep 6th 2012, 9:23 AM

    The Alex Zinardi story must have a movie in it

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Sep 6th 2012, 5:15 PM

    I watch on UPC, on Channel 4. Setanta 1 is an extra pay channel. Setanta Ireland have highlights three times a day. It’s just brilliant and the Irish have excelled themselves.

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    Mute G
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    Sep 6th 2012, 10:22 AM

    I’m amazed at the amount of coverage these events get. As sports followers we are fascinated by who is the fastest man or woman over 100m on the planet, this is an age old tradition. Is anyone actually bothered who the fastest slightly blind man, man with one leg or woman in a wheelchair is. Pistorius is famous because he ran in the actual Olympics, the vast majority of people couldn’t name another paralympic competitor.

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    Mute Sean Flanagan
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    Sep 6th 2012, 11:09 AM

    It’s the adversity these athletes overcome to compete and succeed in the paralympics that has captured the imagination of the nation. They are inspirational and demonstrate the strength of human willpower. I’m actually disappointed there hasn’t been more coverage of the paralympics, particularly on RTE.

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