Preview: Australia v Ireland
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:20
New era: Robbie Deans and Stirling Mortlock
The much anticipated Robbie Deans era begins on Saturday with a tough physical encounter against a seemingly disgruntled Irish side. Who will come up trumps and take home the Lansdowne Cup?
Last weekend's Test between Ireland and New Zealand saw a hard-fought encounter, with the tipping of the Hemisphere scales eventually going the way of the Antipodean rugby giants.
However, Ireland showed what a physical outfit they can be. Their intensity at the breakdown, not to mention a settled Munster pack, gave the All Blacks a good run for their money.
Interim coach Michael Bradley made only two changes to the Irish side that went down to the All Blacks in Wellington, the icy conditions making it difficult for either side to manifest any decent attacking rugby. With the covered Telstra Dome in Melbourne providing even playing conditions, we could see a very different display of rugby from the boys from emerald isle.
Stalwart Peter Stringer returns to the fold, feeding a predominantly Leinster backline which should add to the cohesion of this Irish side.
Historically proving a bit of a bogey side for the Wallabies, Ireland will no doubt throw everything they have into this once-off Lansdowne Cup encounter to end off their current international season on a high.
Australia on the other hand begin a new rugby era, under ex-Crusaders coach Robbie Deans who's record speaks for itself. A new coach and a clean slate for everyone only seems to be fueling confidence within the Wallabies' squad.
On top of their starters-block enthusiasm, the Wallabies are fielding a side with a great balance of experience and exciting young flare, a lot of which has been based on recent form in the Super 14 competition.
Australia also have the added advantage of having assistant coach Jim Williams as an 'inside man', who has returned from active duty as Munster's forwards coach.
Deans' inclusion of Reds' firebrand lock James Horwill is a good indicator of the type of aggressive rugby the Wallabies need to bring to the contact areas if they are to match the Irish on a physical level. Horwill was happy to take on the aggressor's role for Australia in the absence of veteran lock Dan Vickerman.
"That's the way I enjoy playing so that's the way I want to play," Horwill said.
"They're a physical side. They like to play it very hard in the forwards and we know that. We need to make sure we take it to them from the word go and not wait for them to come to us. We go to them," he added.
Reverting back to the old laws after an intensive Super 14 season with the ELV's is again a concern for the southern team. However last weekend's international clashes proved a lot of us wrong - ELV's have enforced a lot more discipline at the breakdown, which was clearly reflected in the penalty ratio between Wales and South Africa.
Not only that, the Wallabies will be used to a more attacking style of rugby. With the calibre of game-breakers in the Wallaby line-up, this might be just the game they've been waiting for to avenge their previous encounter in Dublin in 2006 where they went down to the Irish 6-21.
Deans is anticipating a game "full of passion. Both sides are coming off a bit of frustration - exiting the World Cup prior to when they would like to have and they're keen to push on,"
Players to watch:
For Ireland: The return of multi-capped scrumhalf Peter Stringer should bring some stability to the Irish backline, while Paddy Wallace looks to maintain last weekend's form, making up a potent centre combination with captain Brian O' Driscoll. Ulster hooker Rory Best replaces Flannery, and his strength and physicality should cement the stout Irish pack.
For Australia: Cameron Shepherd dons the no. 15 jersey ahead of strong contenders and is hoping to make former coach Eddie Jones eat his hat. James Horwill comes in at no. 4, promising to bring some firepower into the tight play, while his Reds' teammate Peter Hynes debuts on the wing, a man with an impressive tally of Super tries.
Head to head: The most intriguing front-up on Saturday would surely be at no. 9, to see how debutante Luke Burgess (Australia) fares against the experienced Peter Stringer (Ireland). The mid-field battles are also highly anticipated, with the potent pairing of Brian O'Driscoll and Paddy Wallace (Ireland) facing down the offensive combo that is Berrick Barnes and Stirling Mortlock (Australia). Ronan O'Gara (Ireland) goes up against the elusive Matt Giteau (Australia), while the venerable Irish line-out jumpers in Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell (Ireland) will have to face aggressive contention from Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill (Australia).
Last 10 results:
2006 Ireland won 21-6, Dublin
2006 Australia won 37-15, Perth
2005 Australia won 30-14, Dublin
2003 Australia won 17-16, Melbourne
2003 Australia won 45-16, Perth
2002 Ireland won 18-9, Dublin
1999 Australia won 23-3, Dublin
1999 Australia won 32-26, Perth
1999 Australia won 46-10, Brisbane
1996 Australia won 22-12, Dublin
Prediction: A team with nothing to lose versus a team with everything to prove. The covered conditions at the Telstra Stadium should see both sides playing their full expansive game. Apart from home advantage, Australia also have the edge on attacking game-breakers and fit, fetching forwards at the breakdown which will be hotly contested. The Irish will put up a fight, but with a new-found confidence in coach Robbie Deans, the Wallabies should open their international Test season win a win. Australia to win by 15 points.
Teams:
Australia: 15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Ireland: 15 Robert Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Tommy Bowe, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Denis Leamy, 5 Paul
O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Rory Best, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Stephen Ferris, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Geordan Murphy, 22 Girvan Dempsey.
Date: Saturday, June 14
Venue: Telstra Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.30 (09.30 GMT)
Conditions: Overcast, with a light breeze. Low 12°C, high 13°C
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Chris White (England), Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
By Nick Pawson
