The post-game Ireland arrogance that left Eben Etzebeth in shock

This is all being blown totally out of proportion.

First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant.

Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final.

Which they got spot on. Good on them!

“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.

Gotta love it when kids throw their toys out the pram and can’t hack it with the grown ups debate.

Here’s looking at you turlough! 😉🤣

Sure, the off shore rackets are outrageous for the few that benefit. No doubt whatsoever. My interest lies in rugby and it’s pretty separate from that world. But there is a state sponsored tax system that operates uniquely in Ireland that plays a part in the IRFU master plan. Fixing the world can wait til tomorrow, let’s start with the easy stuff…

The biggest vehicle for tax tricks and shenanigans in the European area is the British Off-shore territories. It is part of the plumbing for Global Money Laundering for criminals, dodgy regimes, financing for people plaundering, tax evasion, avoidance etc. The pipes run through UK companies often anonymously owned by Scottish LPs, BVI entities etc.

But yeah, the Irish corporation rate and the RWC headquarters. You British?

Okayyyy. So I was using a lighthearted reference to the well known location of World Rugby HQ.

But if you know better about where they actually operate from, then I’m all ears…???

ps your comment on companies operating in Europe tending to register in Dublin is interesting corroboration on the Irish government’s tax regime tricks and shenanigans…😉

If the company is registered in Europe it tends to be registered in Dublin.

There is no obligation on any director, shareholder etc to be Irish.

The address in Pembroke street is most likely a secretarial service that registers companies. Basic stuff Ed.

So, firstly I agree that Etzebeth has his own arrogance issues to work through. That however, does not mean that his post match recollections can be so easily dismissed. Particularly in light of the well documented behaviour of Ireland on tour in NZ and especially given the very public nature of his recollections. If they are BS, they would already be dust in the face of withering Irish squad responses. It is insightful and instructive that such a reply has not been forthcoming. As I said previously, Etzebeth displaying his own breathtaking levels of arrogance does not, in any way shape or form, mitigate Ireland players behaving is a similar fashion.

For the record, I do not “badly want to paint the Irish as arrogant”. They appear to have done a more than decent job of that all by themselves, admittedly with a little facilitated assistance from Etzebeth of course.

Regarding Toulouse, this piece is all about Ireland and SA and not France, England, Toulouse or Quins. I do however agree with your neutrality point entirely. That venue is absolutely not neutral. Albeit, the Stadium de Toulouse doesn’t come with quite the same historical decor for either the home team or indeed the visitors…

He said SA players would never assume they would make the final. He publicly said this on the day of his loss to Ireland. He is not credible. Period.

You seem to badly want to paint the Irish as arrogant for some reason.

The arrogant teams globally are SA and NZ. In NH it was traditionally England although they have improved. There is tonnes of credible evidence for these assertions.

Your comment about Croke Park does seem to betray some kind of prejudice. Where is your comment about the Toulouse/Haelequins venue?

For all those disputing the veracity of Etzebeth’s very public recollections of the Irish players’ comments, I have one question: should we be holding our collective breath in anticipation of a barrage of strenuous denials from the Irish squad?

Then again, perhaps not…

The latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.