Wallabies midweek captain Berrick Barnes is predicting more fireworks when Australia’s second-stringers take on powerhouse Irish province Munster in Limerick on Tuesday night (0700 Wednesday AEDT).
Last week’s clash with English champions Leicester was a feisty affair, with several scuffles breaking out during the 26-15 win to the Wallabies.
Munster are a fiercely proud club with a giant-killing reputation against touring sides and an outstanding record in Europe’s top rugby competition, the Heineken Cup.
Asked what he expected, Barnes was straight to the point:
“Leicester on steroids I suppose,” he said.
No.8 Richard Brown has adopted the role of the midweekers’ hardman, and Barnes said that would be no different this week.
“I don’t think Browny will be stepping back so it should be good,” Barnes said.
“Munster will bring plenty of fire and our boys will rip in as well so, who knows, you might see a bit more fisticuffs.”
Munster won the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2008 with current Wallabies assistant Jim Williams on the coaching staff.
They have made it as far as the quarter-finals of the tournament for 12 straight seasons.
The Australians know they face a potential ambush at Thomond Park, where a near full-house is expected at the 26,000-capacity venue.
“Our role on this tour is to obviously do our best in these midweek games and play in venues that are probably some of the most hostile in Europe,” Barnes said.
“Leicester was intense but this goes up a notch and they’re renowned worldwide.”
Former Test starting hooker Tatafu Polata-Nau will play his first match of the tour and a good performance will have him firmly in the frame for a spot on Australia’s bench for Saturday’s Test against Italy in Florence.
Australia: Lachie Turner, Rod Davies, Pat McCabe, Anthony Fainga’a, Luke Morahan, Berrick Barnes (capt), Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson, Scott Higginbotham, Rob Simmons, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma’afu, Saia Fainga’a, Ben Daley. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Van Humphries, Pat McCutcheon, Nick Phipps, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes.
Munster: Johne Murphy, Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Sam Tuitupou, Denis Hurley, Paul Warwick, Duncan Williams, James Coughlan (capt), Niall Ronan, Peter O’Mahony, Ian Nagle, Billy Holland, Peter Borlase, Damien Varley, Wian du Preez. Res: Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer, Brian Hayes, Tommy O’Donnell, Conor Murray, Scott Deasy, Barry Murphy.
Derm
Roar Guru
You're more than welcome. Fourth and final Mr H on the way already. Sorry for your loss as we say in these parts.
Brett McKay
Guest
Thanks Poths, not fussed about the result, but you've done a bang up job on the commentary, and it's much appreciated. Have a Mr H. on me, good sir...
Comrade Bear
Guest
Yep - Nice one Pothale - thanks for he commentary! ... and pull your heads in Moderators - not good enough.
Jiggles
Guest
The Moderators dont like hearing Australia loose :D
kovana
Guest
Where are they playing? Thomond park?.. Will be a full house no doubt.
Ben S
Roar Guru
15-6 guys. There's a commentary on rugby.co.au which supplements Pothale's. Thanks for the efforts, Pothale.
Pothale
Guest
I'm being moderated!!! Why?
Brett McKay
Guest
And? AND?!?!?
Pothale
Guest
Oh dear Lord. He dropped it. Into touch. Ref blows whistle. Another famous victory for Munster. 15-6. No hiding for Deans on this one. Ian Nagle deservedly man of the match. Thomond bursts its banks. Phew!
Pothale
Guest
Final play. Barnes is urging his players to make a go for it. They pack down. Ball comes back to Aus and it's out the line. The Australian backline is actually running. They pass it to each other and don't drop it. They're in the Munster half and the ball comes out to the Australian winger at pace.
Pothale
Guest
Munster are simply commanding. Australia simply abject. Another scrum. Williams breaks right and feeds Howlett in a rare break for the winger. But Aus penalised. Warwick takes the shot but the wind defies him again. 22 drop out. Scramble in the ruck and another penalty. Warwick kicks for touch. Lineout and Munster murder Aus in a rolling maul. Daley who had cone back on is carded for illegal play. Munster take the scrum and advance to the line. The forwards pound the line. Aus win the ball amazingly and are caught in their 22. It's that man Barnes again. Scrum to Munster with 2 minutes to go. Thomond is simply heaving. Great night for the men in red. Munster empty bench and promptly give away pen to Aus. Barnes kicks into Munster half. And Sherry is promptly thrown the ball by that very nice Australian hooker who's been giving them gifts all night.
scarlet
Guest
Who needs Sky Sports HD when we can have your internet commentaries, mate, this is enthralling
Jiggles
Guest
fantastic pots, whats the score?
Pothale
Guest
Australia have copped onto the weather and are now keeping it tight. They stumble around bumping into Munster players who don't even gave to tackle them. They just shove them round. Munster decide to take the ball back from Aus aren't doing anything with it. More scrapping. And Aus have a lineout on the halfway. And Munster get the ball from the throw. Ian Nagle who hasn't pulled on a Munster jersey in anger before today is going to be having wet dreams about this match for many years to come.
Pothale
Guest
Quick break for a Mr H refill. I'm back and Deadeye Dick is lining up the ball again. But the wind is cruel in these parts as the ball veers two feet past post on right. I think Australia have been in the Munster half of the pitch once in this half. But don't hold me to it.
Pothale
Guest
Ben Daly off and Slipper on. 'this is the WORST Australian team I've ever seen' says George Hook from the safety of the TV Studio. Aus win their scrum and try to run out of their 22 with Barnes who's promptly scragged. Another scrum to Munster. Quick ball and Williams attacks down the blind on right. O'Mahony tackled hard. Ball kicks loose and Munster are penalised at the ruck. Play stops for head/neck injury to O'Mahony. He gets up. And he's not leaving whatever the medics think. Hynes enters the fray. Another appalling throw at the lineout by Aus. Munster win scrum and attack. Aus 7 doesn't release the player. Penalty. Warwick does his deadeye bit with Earls holding the ball upright. And he misses. Ball doesn't go far enough and Australia catch ball and knock on under the posts. Munster win scrum and keep attack going. Warwick drops into pocket. Williams turns and spins him the pill. No mistake this time. 15-6 to Munster.
Brett McKay
Guest
Poths, this is top shelf mate, greatly appreciate the updates...
Pothale
Guest
Dear oh dear. Australia not having a good day at the lineout. Overthrown and crooked. Munster take the scrum even though they haven't been doing well. Sloppy ball and Munster give away a pen in Aus half. Barnes misses touch and Warwick collects. He boots it back into Aus 22. From the lineout Aus collect and knock on. Conditions are not good. But Munster know how to play these conditions as they keep it tight. More pick and gos. They move forward 2 and 3 metres. They pound the line under the posts. Aus turnover and ref calls scrum to Aus. They still gave to clear their lines.
scarlet
Guest
Cracking, let's hope Munster score a try or two as well! Us Celts and Gaels have to stick together
Pothale
Guest
No probs Scarlet. We've just kicked off. Munster surge forward. At the breakdown, Aus concede a penalty. Warwick does his deadeye dick thing. 9-6 to Munster. Faingaa centre about to come back on. Aus have a lineout. Faingaa throws. Bad catch and Munster storm through. Aus kick upfield. Murphy catches and kicks back with interest and the wind. Earls collects and zig zags upfield but his colleagues stray offside. Again. Warning from ref. Faingaa hooker is subbed. Aus win a scrum and they kick it again. Murphy collects and puts a superb kick in the corner. Aus win lineout and barnes screws it into touch. Munster short ball it and run a number of pick and gos. Centre Faingaa offends and another penalty. In front of the posts. Wind is now blowing gale line across pitch. Warwick buries it. 12-6 to Munster. Aus are not pleased.