Ireland vs Australia match thread, Saturday 22nd Nov. KO 4:30PM

Note; sorry it's so late

Ireland vs. Australia. Aviva, Saturday 22th November, KO 4:30PM. Live TV on RTE 2/HD and Sky Sports 2/HD from 4PM. Live radio on RTE 2FM.





Preview. Ah, Australia.

A team that always comes across as being a giant whom are beatable yet when push comes to shove you rarely ever beat. Oddly enough, they are also a county that rarely ever come across as a threat when compared to, say the All Blacks or the Springboks yet just when you think you have their number, you don't. Just like they were last November.

Or indeed this November.

You see, it’s hardly 5 weeks ago since their rugby team was in apparent meltdown. Ewan McKenzie hadn't long taken over from Robbie Deans and a new dawn threatened. It came but in a disastrous way; controversial team selections, an alleged affair and many dressing room arguments dominated the back pages and clearly affected team morale. It was their version of Irish Water only worse!

By the time he resigned, the Wallabies had a win loss record of just 50%; even then it was padded up with a good 2013 tour. With all this mess in mind Mike Cheike had something of a task as coach to a team that he hadn’t picked. He has managed to pluck a win against what we now know is a poor Wales team and a close defeat to France; this weekend now is the must win game for their the tour and for their sins, they have the in form team of the moment yet whom are possibly at their weakest in a long time.



Head to head. Much is being made of this being a battle between two ex Leinster coaches but it's more so now a change of Ireland consolidating their 3rd place in the IRB rankings.

Two weeks ago the talk was about how much Ireland could hold the Springboks to given the extent of the injured list and wether the young and untested back line was ready for world rugby. Come 8PM the talk was about a genial team selection and a monster work count, the pack especially.

Toner and O’Connell dominated the line out after a couple of early wobbles but the tight set piece left a lot to be desired, Ross not having one of his better shifts packing down. Granted he was carrying an injury but even so the front row were found wanting far too much for test rugby, only settling down late in the game as subs came on. James Slipper needs to be looking to disrupt Ross and Best at scrum time to exploit them both and to force clean penalties. On the other side, Kepu had Cian Healy bought and sold big time last year; this week in McGrath he has a far more solid loosehead to deal with .



In the loose, Best is no Sean O’Brien but he is still legendary for disruption at the breakdown and will help the Wallaby’s from bullying Ireland at the ruck. Ruddock will also make things hard here in an area that has traditionally been a stronghold for the visitors but which has been found somewhat wanting on tour this year.

Behind the scrum it gets more interesting. Phipps and Foley are a great half back partnership but so too are Murray and Sexton; they controlled the space game beautifully 2 weeks ago and have the respect of their back.



Henry Speight (Above.) makes his debut at blind winger and will definitely relish having ball in hand against Simon Zebo, a player who has flattered to deceive this year in spite of his try last week and who must pull his socks up. Folau is a match for Robert Kearney at full back but for me the midfield battle will be decisive. Henshaw had a big game in spite of little clean ball and defended as if he was Eddie Halvey in disguise. This week sees D’arcy partner him with both having a lot to prove if the ball is clean enough to get their way.

Their opposite numbers played here last year, Tevita Kuridrani being red carded for a tip tackle on Peter O’Mahony late in the game. Their direct running line complements Folau’s searing line breaks; my guess is for them to try offload as much and as quickly as possible and to try avoid maul situations as much as possible If picked on the bench, Beale will almost definitely come into the centre late in the game as tacklers tire.

Verdict. You have two teams here. One is in form and coming off a massive victory even with a depleted squad while the other is in a jock and whom didn’t impress over the last 3 weeks. Cheika will get his squad right in time for RWC but this weekend isn’t the time for him to be doing it, good and all a coach as he is. His team has the makings of it and they will fight, but they won’t fight well enough on Saturday. Ireland to win by 11 points and to wonder what in Gods name the Lansdowne Cup is

Oh and if anybody is wondering about the relationship between ex Leinster coaches Joe and Mike....