By Darren Walton
November 14th 2009 @ 2:58am
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Wallabies must have kicking boots on against Ireland
The Wallabies will need to have their kicking boots on as wind and rain threatens to lash Croke Park in Sunday’s grand slam clash with Ireland.
Matt Giteau, whose goalkicking strike rate has been world-class over the past two years, will be looking to kick Australia out of trouble, while the Wallabies lineout will be under [...]
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bennalong said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Wind and rain. Bugger. NH Rugby!
Any advantage we had is gone if it’s a mudfest.
BRING BACK RUCKING !…………………………….and…………………………………..GO THE WALLABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank O'Keeffe said | November 14th 2009 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
I don’t really rate O’Gara or Giteau too highly in terms of kicking from hand. Quite often when either of them kicks the ball, it’s down the fullback’s throat. I am expecting this game to be a kicking duel, but not one with two expert kickers.
I think if the Wallabies are to win they have to avoid a kicking duel because kicking has been the Wallabies biggest problem since 2008. I love and respect Adam Ashley-Cooper, but he’s not a great kicker either in the mould of Chris Latham.
It might be best for the Wallabies to hold onto the ball and go through their phases. Hopefully the opposition won’t be allowed to slow the ball down, like they were in Tokyo. If Kaplan refs that properly, then the Wallabies will have a good shot.
Peter K said | November 14th 2009 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
If it is wet then Ireland have a significant advantage because kicking for territory and the line will be very important. The lineout is one area where Ireland have a significant advantage so this is exactly what they would wish for. Additionally Kaplan loves giving idiosyncratic penalties especially against the Wallabies in kicking range in close games, another significant advantage to Ireland.
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
As I write it, another shower of rain has stopped temporarily. It has been drizzling for a few hours. The forecast was that it would clear up but nothing yet.
Even if it stops, Croke Park will be difficult cos of wet and whatever state pitch is in after today’s soccer match with France.
O’Gara is better than you portray Frank at kicking from hand – he can have off days but when he’s on song he is excellent – particularly positional positional play like his kick to Bowe for his try in the 6N match against Wales.
Kaplan is the ref that Ireland hate to get – O’Connell & Co never seem to get connected with him. If Oz is the same then we’ll have to see who will do better in the scrummaging stakes which the IRB started a crackdown on in yesterdays matches. SA got hit badly last night.
Campbell Watts said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:23pm | Report comment
I just don’t see the wallabies being up to pulling off the grand slam – and this game looms as the toughest I think (sorry Wales!) so I’m predicting a win to Ireland. Aussie have proved time and again they can’t play in the wet, also their kicking game is very weak for a side so highly rated internationally – 2 things you don’t want against you playing Ireland at home!!!
Campbell Watts said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:24pm | Report comment
And B O’D will teach the young pup a thing or 3 about playing centre me thinks!!!!!
Working Class Rugger said | November 14th 2009 @ 11:09pm | Report comment
BOD will provide a good learning experience for Ioane as he is easily one of the greatest Rugby player’s of all time and comfortably Ireland’s best. I still think we will win but it will be close. Very close. Ireland have a quality side. Could roll SA at the moment. France proved today what the Wallabies did wasn’t a fluke. If you face up to the Boks physically they cannot take it. Ireland will be a very tough game.