Ireland are looking to build on the momentum of their hallmark Rugby World Cup victory over Australia as they press on to lock down top spot in their group against Russia in Rotorua on Sunday. Join us for live scores from the commencement at 3.00pm AEST.
The passionate Irish were the talk of the tournament after their well-executed ambush of the Wallabies at Eden Park last Saturday and they have spent the past week tucked away from the spotlight in idyllic Taupo preparing for the Russians.
As euphoric a victory as it was over the Wallabies, skipper Brian O’Driscoll has stressed to his teammates the importance of not basking too long in the glow and to concentrate on winning Group C with victories over Russia and Italy.
“It’s a good win, but I’m not sitting here with the Webb Ellis Cup beside me. It’s a win and we’re in a pool stage and we’ve got to get four wins,” O’Driscoll said after Ireland’s magnificent 15-6 win over the Wallabies.
Ireland have found consistency difficult to master this year, winning only four of their 10 internationals and while Russia, playing in their first World Cup, should hardly be a banana skin, the Irish will not want to let their standards slip.
“I think the players at the moment are very energised. That’s what you want to have,” Ireland’s South African forwards coach Gert Smal said.
“Confidence is high, they are energised, so the important thing now is to kick on.”
Winger Tommy Bowe, who almost crowned Ireland’s superlative win over the Wallabies with an 80-metre intercept try in the final moments before being chased down, said it was important for the Irish not to drop off.
“We can give anyone (in the World Cup) as good a go as we can. We lifted our intensity hugely for last weekend but it’s huge for us now not to let ourselves down,” Bowe said.
“We have to respect ourselves as a team and not peak with a huge match like that and then drop it for a match like Russia or Italy.
“That’s the baseline, the platform set, and the pressure will be on us to try and keep to that now.”
The Irish made 10 changes, one of them positional, with the world record-setting centre partnership of Gordon D’Arcy and O’Driscoll to be rested, along with lock Paul O’Connell and Bowe.
In O’Driscoll’s absence, Leinster lock Leo Cullen will lead the Irish team.
“If the players get the opportunity, they must take the momentum forward. I think there’s a big responsibility on them as well,” Smal said.
Ireland have only played Russia once, winning 35-3 in a World Cup qualifier nine years ago.
The Russians began the tournament encouragingly with a 13-6 defeat to the United States but it all fell away against Italy, losing 53-17.
The Irish, three points clear, are chasing maximum points to keep the heat on the Wallabies, ahead of their final and possibly decisive pool game against Six Nations rivals Italy in Dunedin on October 2.
Can Ireland put paid to the Wallabies’ faint hopes of reclaiming top spot? Or will complacency set it and leave the door slightly ajar? Join us for all of the action as it unfolds from 3.00pm AEST.
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