Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has defended Springbok Manie Libbok from criticism.
Images via Twitter:
@springboks/ @irishrugby
‘Outstanding’: Ireland captain defends Manie Libbok amid Boks backlash
Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton has praised Springbok Manie Libbok amid criticism of his kicking following their clash over the weekend.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has defended Springbok Manie Libbok from criticism.
Images via Twitter:
@springboks/ @irishrugby
Despite being mercilessly mocked by many social media users after his performance in the South Africa vs Ireland Rugby World Cup match, Springbok Manie Libbok has been praised by an unlikely supporter – Johnny Sexton.
The Irish team captain defended the SA fly-half from cruel jibes after he was criticised for missing several crucial kicks during the match.
The Boks were defeated by their rugby rivals 13- 8 on Saturday, 23 September, at the Stade de France.
ALSO READ: ‘Bring back Pollard’: Mzansi drags Manie Libbok over dismal kicks
JOHNNY SEXTON PRAISES MANIE LIBBOK
During the heated game against Ireland, Manie Libbok came under fire for missing two penalties and a conversion of a try during the game.
According to many rugby fans, the star player was blamed for SA’s loss in their third RWC game.
But Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has shown his support to Libbok, whom he describes as “outstanding.”
In a post-match interview, Sexton said: “Manie did some outstanding things. He set up that try, and he’s a handful with the ball. He’s got tricks and stuff like that.
ALSO READ: Friends or foes? Manie Libbok responds to ‘rift’ with Pollard [watch]
Defending Libbok from criticism, he continued: “Every kicker goes through a period like that in their career. I definitely went through the same during a World Cup in 2011. It’s tough, but you get stronger on the back of it.
“When you do come out the other side, you’re a better kicker for it. There isn’t a kicker in the world who has not gone through a period like that.”
NO CRITICISM FROM RASSIE ERASMUS
Meanwhile, both Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber and SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus have defended Manie Libbok about his performance during the Ireland clash.
Erasmus said in a post-match interview: “Manie is definitely playing brilliant flyhalf rugby at this stage, but obviously his kicking isn’t matching that.
“If you weigh up the different things he does, he makes a great contribution to the team.”
Nienaber added: “We will just train harder and get better at it.
“There are lessons we will take out of this game. We will have to make new plans on how to deal with it better”.
