Preview: Ireland v Australia

 

Ireland and Australia meet nearly a year to the day after a comprehensive win for Wallabies in last year’s corresponding fixture.

 

The fortunes for the two teams in the next twelve months could not be more different. Ireland have won the Six Nations, risen to third in the world rankings and lost only twice both by less than three points.

 

Australia on the other hand have seen off-field issues result in the resignation of a coach, a first loss to Argentina in The Rugby Championship and all the good work of the McKenzie era undone in a small number of weeks.

 

Ireland have suffered a blow with New Zealand-born centre Jared Payne ruled out with a foot sprain. Robbie Henshaw and Gordon D'Arcy link up in the midfield.

 

Leinster forward Mike McCarthy has also been ruled out with a concussion suffered against Georgia.

 

Rory Best is battling an injury but is fir enough to play the Wallabies.

 

Wallabies bad boy Kurtley Beale is back in the fold and has been named on an 11-man bench after linking with the touring squad on Sunday.

 

Coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his starting side with Henry Speight, Sam Carter, Luke Jones and Matt Toomua all included. 

 

Joe Tomane, James Horwill, Sean McMahon and Christian Lealiifano have all been dropped. 

 

The Wallabies were bad against France, their handling was atrocious, they forgot to use their backline, the scrum and lineout were both poor and defence was a major issue for the second straight week. 

 

The Irish pack have been their foundation and the young Wallabies are well aware of their threats.

 

"Headed by Paul O'Connell, they're pretty crafty and old school," Wallabies lock Rob Simmons said

 

"There are ways you can go about it, you don't have to give away penalties. 

 

"We'll mix things up and we have to be smart about it."

 

Irish No.8 Jamie Heaslip has stated categorically that their focus is now on Australia and claiming two Southern Hemisphere scalps

 

"The focus though has all been about Australia – we looked at them in our prep-week when there was no game.

 

"We spent two days on them and a couple on South Africa because of the time we knew we had coming into this game. 

 

"We are focusing on their threats and giving them the respect that is due because they have some fantastic players."

 

 

For Ireland: IRB Player of the Year nominee Johnny Sexton runs the Irish backline like a general and will look to impress in his last shot to claim the big award. Jack McGrath was truly impressive against the Springboks, both in the loose and the in the scrums. The Irish back-three have a lot of potential but really need to pull together to impress against the Wallabies attacking threats

 

For Australia: Tevita Kuridrani has really made the No.13 jersey his own of late, with his barn-storming runs and bone-crushing defence he is an exciting player and one for the future. Henry Speight finally gets a chance in an official Test match and will want to stake a claim to one of the Wallaby wings as soon as possible.

 

Head to head: Bernard Foley has held his own in his breakout year at flyhalf but he will face a stern Test against the veteran Johnny Sexton. While the Irish back three have some exciting attributes, the Wallabies pack a real punch in Henry Speight, Israel Falou and the experienced head that is Adam Ashley-Cooper – each division will be hoping to dazzle with some quick ball.

 

2013: Australia won 32-15, Dublin

2011: Ireland won 15-6 Auckland (World Cup pool match)

2010: Australia won 22-15, Brisbane

2009: Ireland drew with Australia 20-20, Dublin

2008: Australia won 18-12, Melbourne

2006: Ireland won 21-6, Dublin

2006: Australia won 37-15, Perth

2005: Australia won, 30-14, Dublin

 

Prediction: Ireland have looked impressive against strong opposition, as well as weaker opposition with a relative B-team. Meanwhile Australia have not gotten off to the flyer they would have hoped under new coach Cheika – a stumble against France and a tight victory against Wales will mean that Australia will need to defeat Ireland to feel that they are moving forward, however, Ireland at home and in their form look the likely winners by seven points.

 

 

Teams: Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Rhys Ruddock, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Tommy O'Donnell, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.

 

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Luke Jones, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Will Genia, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Kurtley Beale.

 

Date: Saturday, November 22

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)