Pollard, Moodie (RSA): 'This is not really pressure, this is privilege'
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Comments from South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard and centre Canan Moodie at a media briefing as they prepare for Saturday's second semi-final against England at Stade de France.
Handre Pollard, fly-half
On his journey to RWC 2023 from RWC 2019:
"It's been an interesting four years. There has been a lot of highs and lows but it's all part of the game. Covid and my injuries disrupted my play here [in France], I would have loved to have been a part of it more but I enjoyed it. Being back at Leicester has been great. It's been good for me and my family, it's been really nice. The calf injury took me out of the semi-finals in the Premiership but it was a great season last year, I really enjoyed it. Ups and downs over the last few months, not being selected and coming back in, but that is all in the past now."
On Aled Walters, an England coach who used to be involved with South Africa:
"Aled is a top man, we all love him a lot and I'm sure he is going to do great with England moving forward. I'm sure he will have some insights but that we expect. There's not too much he can give away, it's been four years and we have developed as a squad a lot. It'll be an interesting weekend."
On Siya Kolisi:
"I think Siya has grown immensely over the years as a person, player and especially as a captain. There has always been a good leadership group in this squad, we always support him but he's really stepped up to a new level. He is an unbelievable captain, inspirational and it is all real. Nothing is fake. He's an inspirational guy, it comes naturally and that is why we follow him. There is nothing fake about it. He is an honest, true man and he is a great guy to play for."
On South Africa and their form at Rugby World Cups:
"It's just the way we were brought up, we love it. It's not always been easy for some guys in our squad growing up so when we get to this position, this point where there should be a lot of pressure on us, we refer back to it a lot. This is not really pressure, this is more privilege to be a part of these occasions.
"I think our game model and the way we play the game suits World Cups pretty well. We are comfortable in this environment and we have been under pressure off the field, growing up and we all know the stories that have come from the previous World Cups. We just enjoy it, we enjoy the pressure. It's a privilege to have this pressure on our shoulders, playing for our country."
"I was disappointed but it was a tight call. It was a time sensitive thing. We pushed our hardest, we tried our best but I was just a couple of weeks too late to show the coaches I was fit enough. So that was a very, very disappointing time but everything worked out. Unfortunately for Malcolm [Marx], a massive loss for us but it gave me an opportunity to come back."
On having innovative coaches:
"I think the key thing there is the work they put in. Nothing they do is just for no reason. It is all thought out, meticulously planned. We trust them because they have earned that. They have earned our trust over years, what they have done and how they prepare. When they come up with these ideas there are no questions asked. They give us a reason for why we are doing whatever we do and we just back it. We are all in. We trust each other, players to coaches and coaches to players."
"I can't praise Manie enough for the way he has been playing. He has been in unbelievable form and he has taken it under the pressure that comes with playing for South Africa. He has been handling that so well, it has been really amazing to watch. I have known Manie since he was very young and for me the best thing about Manie is he has not changed one bit from that young guy I met eight years ago. He is a humble guy, works for the team, works extremely hard. I think he brings a beautiful, lovely, dynamic way of playing to the team. It is something we have all embraced and enjoyed as well."
On what it's like playing in the third/fourth play-off:
"It's not a game you want to play. Unfortunately I have had to play in one of those before. It's terrible. Our minds are not there at all. We are just focusing on Saturday."
On if they are ready for the 'beef coming their way' from England:
"You could see on their faces four years ago the disappointment [after South Africa beat them in the RWC 2019 final]. I have been part of a squad that has been knocked out in the semi-final of a World Cup [in 2015] and it sits with you the rest of your life. There are a lot of things you look back on and think you could have done differently. I'm sure they will come with that mindset this week. I think they will be ruthless, I think they will take the intensity and physicality to a whole new level. But that being said, we are ready for that, we are prepared for that and we enjoy that. If there is going to be beef, there is going to be beef. It's test rugby, it's 80 minutes and we have just got to play the game."
On whether the local French supporters should now support South Africa:
"I think it would be tough to ask the French to support us after the weekend but I mean it was an epic battle. One for the ages and France are an unbelievable team. We have the utmost respect for them. It would be great if they supported us yeah."
Canan Moodie, centre
On potentially facing New Zealand in the final:
"I think we are laser focused on the task at hand. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. I think all prep is for this weekend. A semi-final is very important, no-one wants to play in the third and fourth-place play-off so I think you have to get past the semi-final first before you focus on the final."
On England:
"I think England are a very good team. For me if I get the opportunity [to play], I will make the most of it. It's all up to the coaches, we trust the coaches and whatever plans they have. They will put the right squad out there for Saturday."
On Jesse Kriel:
"Jesse played an amazing game at the weekend [against France]. Thirteen is a very important position on defence and defence wins you World Cups. A monster performance from him and being able to see that. To see this and experience it and take as much info from it, to see how he carries himself as well [means] a lot for me as a young guy."
