Reddan and Heaslip ask fans to make Aviva a cauldron
Ireland and Leinster duo Eoin Reddan and Jamie Heaslip believe the Aviva Stadium can be a cauldron for visiting sides when there is a full house and both are hoping for an electric atmosphere for Saturday’s meeting with South Africa (5.30pm).
Ticket categories 3 and 4 have sold out for Saturday’s Test, easing fears of a low turnout for the autumn series.
Speaking to Irish Rugby TV, Reddan and Heaslip explained the difference a vocal support makes to the team in a tight game as Saturday’s promises to be.
“The Aviva is a very special place when it’s a sell out, for fans and for players,” Reddan said.
“I think it’s a great experience and hopefully Saturday will be very much like that with the fans getting behind the players and the players can give a performance that the fans deserve.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in the Aviva a couple of times when it has been a full house and the place is absolutely electric when it’s full,” Heaslip confirmed.
“It’s much appreciated when the fans do come along and support us to the best of their ability.”
With Brian O’Driscoll and Rory Best ruled out through injury, Heaslip is among the favourites to skipper Ireland on Saturday, depending on the fitness of Paul O’Connell.
The Naas man knows the threat South Africa’s physically imposing pack presents and insists it is up to Ireland to be aggressive in defence and get the ball out wide when in possession.
“South Africa make no bones about it, they’ve got a big bruising pack that try and knock you off the ball really.
“We have to front up and tackle them, meet them at the contact zone, the collision zone and win it.
“Then when we have the ball (we must) carry hard ourselves and provide quick ball for our backs. We’ve got a very potent backline that can score tries from anywhere.”
Victor Matfield inspired the Springboks to a narrow victory on their last visit to the Aviva in 2010’s autumn international series.
But Heyneke Meyer’s team enter this weekend’s test on the back of an underwhelming Rugby Championship which produced just two wins from six games.
Reddan appreciates the quality in the South African ranks but sees no reason why Ireland shouldn’t back themselves to win on Saturday, especially after some productive work on the training ground over the past two weeks.
“Training has been good. Obviously, South Africa are an excellent side, they’ve worked very hard in the Rugby Championship that they’ve just come from so it’s going to be a very tough ask but we’re quietly confident.
“We’ve trained well this week and hopefully we’ll put a big performance together and hopefully that will be enough to get the win.”
