By Darren Walton
November 14th 2009 @ 2:58am
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 added pressure to secure their share of ball with possession and territory of paramount importance.
Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, who’s no stranger to Irish conditions after his triumphant season with Leinster, says the forecast foul weather could be worth seven or eight points to the Six Nations champions.
“It definitely will be if we’re on the back end of a kicking duel,” Elsom said.
“If you’re getting beaten on a kicking duel, those sort of conditions really hurt you because you’re down in your own area and penalty goals come more into it.”
Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell says Giteau’s personal battle with British and Irish Lions five-eighth Ronan O’Gara will be pivotal.
“Ronan O’Gara is a world-class flyhalf as well as Matty Giteau, so I think that kicking duel will be a key element to what decides the match,” Mitchell said.
Elsom made no secret of Australia’s intentions to apply some early heat on O’Gara.
“At times, he’s been a bit inconsistent with his kicking,” Elsom said.
“But, by the same token, for nearly a decade he’s been pretty sharp.
“He controls their game pretty well and he has played really well for them for a long time, so he’s a key for them.”
Expect loads of low trajectory, probing kicks from the Wallabies.
“It always skids more at Croke Park for some reason,” Elsom said.
“If you can get it to skid along, then that’s ideal.”
Ireland romped to a 21-6 victory over Australia, their equal-biggest ever win over the Wallabies, in similarly wet and wild conditions at Lansdowne Road three years ago.
“I don’t think this current group carries any baggage from previous trips,” Mitchell said.
“There’s so many new guys they probably wouldn’t even know of the weather conditions the last time the guys played.
“It’s just about adapting to what’s out there. Both teams are facing the same conditions and it’s about being able to play to them as best as you possibly can.
“We’re certainly not fearing the weather. We’ll play with what’s on the day.”
AUSTRALIA v IRELAND FACTBOX
All venues: Played: 27, Australia won 19, lost 8
In Ireland: Played 15, Australia won 10, lost 5Last 10 matches
2008: Australia 18-12, Melbourne
2006: Ireland 21-6, Dublin
2006: Australia 37-15, Perth
2005: Australia 30-14, Dublin
*2003: Australia 17-16, Melbourne
2003: Australia 45-16, Perth
2002: Ireland 18-9, Dublin
*1999: Australia 23-3, Dublin
1999: Australia 32-26, Perth
1999: Australia 46-10, Brisbane
*denotes World Cup matchBiggest Australian win (margin) at all venues: 36 (46-10) Brisbane 1999
Biggest Australian win (margin) in Ireland: 25 (42-17) Dublin 1992
Heaviest Australian defeat (margin) at all venues: 15 (27-15) Brisbane 1979 and (21-6) Dublin 2006
Heaviest Australian defeat (margin) in Ireland: 15 (21-6) Dublin 2006Teams
Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Luke Burgess, Ryan Cross, James O’Connor.Ireland: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (capt), Paddy Wallace, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Stephen Ferris, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, John Hayes, Jerry Flannery, Cian Healy. Reserves: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Leo Cullen, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls.
Kick-off: 3pm (2am Monday AEDT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA)
SportsAlive: Ireland $1.74, Australia $2.10
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(7)
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.