Guinness November Series Blog

by Michael Corcoran

Watch Ireland v South Africa live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Ireland only) from 2pm. Live coverage also available on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.

Blame the drink, again…

Over indulging in alcohol has got lots of people in trouble, some do things they regret whilst others spend many years trying to make amends for past misdemeanours.

However, this is the first time I have ever heard of someone causing bad blood by turning down an invitation to share a drink.

South Africa captain John Smit has revealed in his newly published autobiography ‘Captain in the Cauldron’ that an invitation to the Lions to share drinks after each of the first two tests was declined.

Apparently the invitation was turned down long before any of the games took place, but according to Smit it helped create a bad feeling amongst the hosts.

Personally, I have no idea who issued the invitation or for that matter who turned it down.

According to Smit, he heard that it came from one of the senior Irish players.

Burger incident - Lions players and management 'unhappy'

I am aware the Lions players and management were ‘unhappy’ with the incident involving Schalk Burger and his over zealous use of the hand in the face of Luke Fitzgerald during the second test in Pretoria. That issue was dealt with by the judiciary and Burger was suspended. Burger issued an apology to his team mates for his actions and for spending 10 minutes off the field of play. Curiously, that apology did not extend to Luke Fitzgerald.

However, I am also aware that the Lions players and management were furious with the South Africa coach Peter de Villiers for comments he made when appearing to try and defend Burger for his part in the incident. All De Villiers had to do was express regret for what happened.

Instead he appeared to prefer to query the incriminating video evidence. He said: ‘I stand by Schalk, I'm still convinced he didn't do it. When you watch the footage closely, and if you know the nature of Schalk, you'll know he will never go to those measures to impose himself’.

It is unfortunate the Ireland v South Africa game takes place against such a background this weekend. The ‘bad blood’ that exists may be between South Africa and the Lions, however 12 of the Irish squad this weekend travelled to South Africa at some stage or another as tourists this summer, they would only be human if they did not occasionally cast a thought back to the events of  June and July 2009.

For the record let me tell you about a drink I had with a South African rugby player a few years ago. The date was the 13^th of November 2004, and there had been a rugby game that afternoon in which Ireland had beaten South Africa by 17 points to 12. Somehow, I managed to blag my way in to the after match drinks reception for the players, officials and Committee Members.


Queue for a drink....get a Burger


I found myself almost submerged in a sea of bodies at the bar trying to get a drink, the person next to me almost fell on top of me at one stage, he apologised, I told him there was no need. We got our drinks and ended up spending quite some time in each others company. That was the only time I shared a drink with Schalk Burger. I found him very engaging and  knowledgeable. From memory, we were joined at one stage also by John Smit. Neither would know me by name but we would nod and exchange a ‘howzit’ if we came across each other.


Sometimes it’s good to share a drink and make new friends, however if invited and you wish to decline, it’s always best to do so in a manner that does not cause offence.