Preview: Ireland v Canada
Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:22
And attack... Brian ODriscoll
Anticipation! That is the best way to describe the build-up to this Test at Thomond Park, Limerick City, on Saturday. Yes, there is great excitement in the Irish and Canadian camps this week, as both teams look forward to the year-end Tests under their new coaching panels.
The expectation is even greater in Ireland, where Declan Kidney's new coaching team - including World Cup-winning Springbok forwards coach Gert Smal and Australian defence expert Les Kiss - will go on show for the first time.
Canadian mentor Kieran Crowley, a New Zealand import, at least has a few internationals under his belt - having guided the team through the Churchill Cup tournament in June - after replacing Ric Suggit as head coach of the Canadian national team in March.
The last time Canada played Ireland was in 2000 in Toronto - a match that saw Ireland escape with a 27-27 draw on the power of then rookie flyhalf Ronan O'Gara.
Canada and Ireland have only played three times at the Test level - the other two victories over the Canadians. A 1987 World Cup pool victory (46-19) and then a 33-11 win 10 years later at Lansdowne Road.
But the spotlight will be as much on the coaching staff as it will be on the players.
Kidney, it is said, was destined to be Irish coach after his successful tenure as head coach of Munster. His initial stint at Munster ended in 2002, when he left to become Ireland's assistant coach. Having then spent time at Newport Gwent Dragons and after just three months moving to Leinster, he rejoined Munster in 2005 - winning the Heineken Cup in his first season back, and then again this year.
The same goes for Kiss and Small, who will be hoping to contribute to a very efficient and successful start for the new coaching panel's tenure.
Kiss, whose previous international stint was with South Africa under Harry Viljoen in 2001 and 2002, admitted to some trepidation.
"It is a totally new environment," Kiss said ahead of Saturday's big game.
"I was with the Springboks as defence coach for 11 Test, but that was some time ago.
"I'm looking forward to this international experience again.
"We've got a couple of young guys in their first Test and it's going to be exciting overall. But there's a job to be done and we'll do it to the best of our ability and that's what we've committed to."
Kidney, who said the team had shown "a lot of enthusiasm" in training this week, told his players not to be burdened by expectation.
"What I'm hoping is that they'll show they're enjoying the experience of playing for Ireland and that they'll bring those Irish attributes to it," Kidney told a media gathering in Limerick.
"We'll want to be smart in the way we play. Like any side, there’s going to be a settling in period too. We have to make sure we don't give Canada a cause early in the game by coughing up too many early scores and just work our way through the game."
The Canadians, despite being the underdogs, are determined to bring a real challenge to the Irish at Thomond Park on Saturday - with a number of Canada's professional players from the United Kingdom and France bolstering the side with physicality and experience.
Crowley understands the significance of the November Test series and how it will test a team that he has been molding for only eight months.
The former Taranki coach and coach of the World Champion Under-19 New Zealand team in 2007 has been slowly crafting this team together - and says despite having to bring some new faces into the camp, it has been a relatively seamless process.
"The new guys have been great - getting stuck right in - and understanding what we are trying to achieve," said Crowley in Limerick.
"It is a big test of this team - that is why they are called Tests - and we have to see if the systems we are putting in place will stand up to what Ireland has to offer."
Players to watch:
For Ireland: There are the obvious players - Brian O'Driscoll as captain and playmaker, Ronan O'Gara at flyhalf, along with locks Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan. However, the real treat will be to watch Munster's Keith Earls in his debut Test on his home ground. There is also Ireland's new-look front row of Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and Tony Buckley.
For Canada: The front row is heavy with experience - with Glasgow Warriors prop Kevin Tkachuk in for his 41st cap, while hooker Pat Riordan is in for his 18th Test start of his career and will also captain the side. In at tighthead is veteran Jon Thiel - who scrums down for his 34th test appearance. In the second row the big men of the Canadian forwards unit are getting the call with Cornish Pirate Mike Burak getting his 22nd cap, and Begles Bordeaux lock Josh Jackson winning his 19th start. Canada will need them to match the Irish fire.
Head to head: There are many exciting battles across the park, but we are looking forward to see how Ireland's rookie fullback Keith Earls shapes up against Canadian veteran James Pritchard - a player based in Bedford, England, having began playing Rugby League for the Parramatta Eels before switching to Rugby Union with Randwick and then moving to the United Kingdom.
Previous results:
2000: Ireland and Canada drew 27-27, Markham
1997: Ireland won 33-11, Dublin
1987: Ireland won 46-19, Dunedin (World Cup)
rugby365.com Prediction: The Canadians always bring lots of early fire and passion and may hold Ireland for a while. But expect the second half to turn into a route as Ireland race again to a big win - 20 points or more.
Teams:
Ireland: 15 Keith Earls, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Luke Fitzgerald, 11 Robert Kearney, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements - from: Rory Best, John Hayes, Ryan Caldwell, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace, Peter Stringer, Shane Horgan
Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Bryn Keys, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Sean Michael Stephen, 5 Josh Jackson, 4 Mike Burak, 3 Jon Thiel, 2 Pat Riordan (captain), 1 Kevin Tkachuk.
Replacements: 16 Mike Pletch, 17 Frank Walsh, 18 Tyler Hotson, 19 Jebb
Sinclair, 20 Morgan Williams, 21 Matt Evans, 22 Phil Mackenzie.
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick City
Kick-off: 17.15 (17.15 GMT)
Weather: The predominant forecast is for heavy showers. High of 11°C, low of 8°C.
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
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