Rory Best will win his 100th international cap this Saturday, when he captains Ireland against Australia (ko. 5.30pm Irish time).
It’s the third and final game of Ireland’s Guinness Series, after beating Canada and losing last week to New Zealand (the first match against the All Blacks wasn’t technically a part of the series).
Garry Ringrose starts on Saturday, following his great performance against New Zealand last week. He replaced Robbie Henshaw, who left that game on a stretcher.
It was a bruising match against the All Blacks, with some casualties. Paddy Jackson comes in for Jonny Sexton, with Joey Carbery taking Jackson’s place on the bench.
Keith Earls comes into the starting XV, with Simon Zebo moving to the bench. Zebo took a few knocks during the New Zealand game and still isn’t 100 per cent. Rob Kearney also suffered in that game but has been declared fully fit.
In the forwards, Iain Henderson makes his first start of the Guinness Series, while CJ Stander has also been declared fit. Ireland will be facing an Australian side that are looking for their first Grand Slam since 1984.
The Wallabies have already beaten Scotland, Wales and France in the last few weeks, and will face England after the match against Ireland. Australia are coached by Michael Cheika, who coached Leinster before being succeeded by Joe Schmidt!
Ireland will want to bounce back after a disappointing loss to New Zealand last Saturday. Ireland were hoping to repeat their historic win of a fortnight previously, but the All Blacks were too strong on this occasion, winning the game 21-9.
Ireland were unable to muster up the same clinical edge as they had in Soldier’s Field. In that game, they managed to score five tries, while last weekend they failed to score a single try.
It wasn’t for lack of trying, they just were unable to complete attacking moves. At one point in the game, Ireland had more than 80 per cent of possession but were unable to convert it into points. Even with two New Zealanders sin-binned, Ireland could still only score penalties.
It was a terrific contest, with scenes of high drama and not a little controversy. New Zealand were keen to avenge their loss of a fortnight previously and were robust in their defence. A few of their tackles bordered on the illegal.
Malaki Fekitoa was sin-binned for a high tackle on Simon Zebo and later received a one-match ban. It was a controversial decision as Fekitoa scored two tries in the game, with officials now admitting that he should have been red carded for the high tackle and therefore have been unable to score the winning try.
Sam Cane was also cited for his tackle on Robbie Henshaw, which resulted in Henshaw leaving the match on a stretcher. It was later decided that the tackle was accidental.
There was more controversy surrounding Beauden Barrett’s try, with Irish players believing that Jonny Sexton had successfully prevented Barrett from placing the ball. The referee disagreed and even dismissed calls for it to go to the TMO.
Ireland may feel unlucky, but the fact is that New Zealand won the game fairly. They were the more clinical side and Ireland made too many mistakes while in possession.
Still, Ireland can come away knowing that they provided the toughest Tests for New Zealand this season.
If Ireland manage to beat Australia this Saturday, it will mean that they have beaten all three of the Southern Hemisphere giants in the space of six months, having beaten South Africa last June.
The results are even between Australia and Ireland in the last seven games played between the two countries. Ireland have won three lost three and drawn one.
Australia have improved since a mixed performance in the Rugby Championship and are on a roll at the moment, having won the last three games, beating Wales, Scotland and France.
The betting odds seem to be split evenly between the teams and I agree. think it’s a game that’s too close to call.
Ireland: Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Garry Ringrose, Keith Earls, Paddy Jackson, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Iain Henderson, CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Simon Zebo.
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