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Ireland's Jordan Coghlan. NPHO/Shaun Roy

Ireland begin Junior World Cup with historic win over Springboks

Tries from Jordan Coghlan and Ian Henderson saw Mike Ruddock’s U20s record a superb 23-19 victory.

IRELAND’S U20s GOT off to an incredible start in the IRB Junior World Championship with a 23-19 win over South Africa in Stellenbosch’s Danie Craven Stadium.

Mike Ruddock’s team upset the odds in their Pool B opener, where they are also due to play England and Italy, against a Sprinboks team which boasted a number of Super 15 players in their side.

Led by man-of-the-match JJ Hanrahan, who kicked 13 points on the day, Ireland were ahead 13-3 at half-time thanks to Jordan Coghlan’s try after a blocked down kick.

The hosts got themselves back into the tie with a try from Paul Willemse followed up by Tony Jantjies’ conversion.

However, Ulster’s Iain Henderson found himself in possession after another block down and did outstandly well to get over the line. Hanrahan was successful with the resulting kick and despite Jantjies’ late penalty, Ireland held on for what will do down as their greatest ever result in this competition.

Next up is England, who ran out 64-5 winners over Italy earlier in the day, in the same venue on Friday.

Ireland: Des Merry, Niall Scannell (c), Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Jordan Coghlan, Conor Gilsenan, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, JJ Hanrahan, Sam Coghlan-Murray, Foster Horan, Chris Farrell, Barry Daly, Peter Nelson.

Replacements: James Rael, Peter Reilly, Jake Cawley, Alan O’Connor, Aaron Conneely, Luke McGrath, Mikey Sherlock.

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9 Comments
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    Mute Ferg Breen
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    Jun 4th 2012, 8:35 PM

    Absolutely brilliant result. Hanrahan’s drop goal was brilliant. I think RSA thought they’d come out and have an easy enough match. Wasnt the case. Ireland were well up for it and it’s a brilliant result to take into the England game on Friday.

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    Mute Gearoid Murphy
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    Jun 4th 2012, 9:32 PM

    JJ Hanraahan…The new ROG! Finally,someone who looks capable to do serious work in the 10 jersey in the future when ROG decides to call it a day

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    Mute fitszenpatrik
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    Jun 4th 2012, 10:19 PM

    You don’t rate sexton? I don’t think well need a gps to locate you my little Ostrich friend.

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    Mute Gearoid Murphy
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    Jun 5th 2012, 5:31 PM

    I meant from a Munster point of view,although JJ will defiently be there or thereabouts in the next couple of years

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    Mute Elrat
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    Jun 4th 2012, 10:39 PM

    Half of Leinster don’t rate Sexton ( the green choker) Madigan a better player!!

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    Mute Michael
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    Jun 5th 2012, 12:27 AM

    Totally agree with you Gearoid, JJ Hanraahan was immense, he had a dodgy first 10 minutes two kicks out on the full put picked himself up kicked beautifully, made two great breaks threw a dummy pass and a lovely lob and caught it, considering that he is Paddy Jackson’s understudy he looks promising.
    No. 5 for Irl was excellent too he’s form ulster i think.
    Ireland played superb it wasn’t a one off, they were better than South Africa, simple as!

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    Mute Rob Davies
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    Jun 5th 2012, 4:11 AM

    Hanrahan is from Munster, or do you mean he’s jackson’s understudy for the 20′s?

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    Mute Michael
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    Jun 5th 2012, 1:37 PM

    Well im pretty sure Paddy is no. 1 if he’s fit!

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    Mute Elrat
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    Jun 4th 2012, 10:41 PM

    Why was my post about sexton taken down ?

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