Zimpapers Logo

Cape Town — Veteran Ireland prop Mike Ross says there won’t be a repeat of their humiliating third-Test loss to New Zealand when they tackle South Africa in Port Elizabeth today.

Ireland toured New Zealand for a three-Test series in 2012 which they lost 3-0.

After losing the first Test 42-10 in Auckland, the Irish rebounded in the second and were unlucky to lose 22-19 in Christchurch.

They then fell apart in the third Test in Hamilton, losing 60-0.

In the current three-Test series against South Africa, the Irish are level at 1-1 going into the final Test.

But they are at the end of the gruelling season, playing their 17th Test which included the Rugby World Cup.

Ross, a 60-Test capped veteran and a survivor of the 2012 New Zealand tour, says there are no signs of a repeat performance from the demolition in Hamilton.

“The last time I was on a three-Test tour was in New Zealand and that didn’t end so well, so there’s a lot of motivation to make sure that doesn’t happen,” the 36-year-old tighthead told the Irish Independent.

“We’re just going to empty the tanks; just go as hard as we can. Hopefully there will be a little history there for us. It’s a huge carrot for us.”

Today’s clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is scheduled for 1700hrs. — Sport24