GERALD IMRAY
Like every contact sport, rugby sometimes demands more than skill, power, pace or a smart gameplan to win. It asks for a body-on-the-line kind of sacrifice from players in the heat of the biggest battles that can’t really be taught or practised, but can separate champions from contenders.
Top-ranked Ireland, the best team in the world, faced an acid test of its desire more than its ability at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday against defending champion and three-time winner South Africa.
Ireland came through the expected Springboks barrage in grand fashion in a grit-filled 13-8 victory that might only be a pool-stage win but should silence lagging doubts – if there were any – that the Irish have everything it takes to be world champions for the first time.
“That’s right up there. It was incredibly tough but we fronted up,” said Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton, who
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