In-form Ireland have overtaken Australia in the IRB rankings for the first time in eight years but aren’t viewing the Wallabies as vulnerable in this weekend’s Test at Lansdowne Road.
The Six Nations champions on Monday climbed to third – an eight-year rankings high – on the back of six straight wins, following up last week’s victory over South Africa with a 49-7 triumph over Georgia on Sunday.
The Wallabies dropped to fourth following the 29-26 loss to France in Paris but wary Ireland coach Joe Schmidt believes Australia were better than the result suggested.
“If you don’t shut the Aussies down they are very, very dangerous,” New Zealander Schmidt said.
“They’ve also got a workaholic defence and (halfback) Nick Phipps behind the scrum works very hard.
“The French scored very early and got a freak try but other than that the Aussies could have won by 10 points.
“They will be a very tough challenge.”
Schmidt admitted the fact the Wallabies were a work in progress under Michael Cheika made preparations for Saturday’s (Sunday morning AEDT) Test tricky.
“It is hard to prepare for a team who has recently changed their coach,” said Schmidt.
“We have already noticed they have changed some things and are doing different things.
“They have an abundance of talent but it will be interesting in terms of their selection as several guys have played in all their three matches so far and they have flown in Kurtley Beale.
“It is tough to back up from a match at the Stade de France and ‘Cheiks’ might be looking now to freshen up the team.”
Schmidt, who guided Leinster to two European Cup titles and a European Challenge trophy, has turned Ireland’s fortunes around since he replaced Declan Kidney after the 2013 Six Nations.
The coach said Ireland’s rankings improvement was satisfying but ultimately meant little.
“You don’t win anything for third place in the rankings,” he said.
“We have to be realistic and look at matters on the pitch and know we have to tighten up our scrum and get the set pieces right.”
Australia 32-15 triumphed in the last meeting between the nations in Dublin last year.
IRB world rankings (last week’s position in parenthesis)
1 (1) New Zealand
2 (2) South Africa
3 (5) Ireland
4 (3) Australia
5 (4) England
6 (6) France
Robena Rushlow
Guest
http://www.rugbyinperth.com/perth-rugby-union-shows-highlights-of-pierre-roberts-rugby/
Aidan Loveridge
Roar Pro
Actually its 100% correct that argentina was behind Japan as their record this year is better than the argies. The argies lost some games when their star players were with their clubs and then went on to lose alot in the rugby championship. But to be fair its just a guideline to follow until the world cup shows us who deserves to be where anyways.
Cathal
Guest
Well behind england,France,Wales? We dominated all three of there scrums in the six nations, you can't judge are scrum from one ropy performance against SA.
Bj61
Guest
On form Ireland are favorites, but even some of the Georgian piggies ruffled their shamrocks. Credit to the Irish fans they enjoyed the game & didn't over analyze the result, at times Ireland were scrappy but kept attacking. The Wallabies are a work in progress , they will improve. The NH teams are strong at home & the Wallabies do need to get fitter as a squad.
Wozza
Guest
That was loosely my point although perhaps slightly out of context to RKs post
Wozza
Guest
Oops, must have had the internet equivalent of domestic blindness :p
Wozza
Guest
Oops must have had the internet equivalent of domestic blindness :p
Jerry
Guest
C) Those that say 'math' instead of 'maths'.
Harry Jones
Expert
I'm expecting Kuridrani and Folau to give Ire all kinds of trouble
Well, if we do underestimate them again, then it just proves we lack the intellect to learn from our mistakes, eh?
I can't argue with that 5-1 under Meyer is just that, a gap, whether daylight is the right manner in describing it, I am not so sure.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
"We won’t underestimate them again." I'm sure that was said last time.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
South Africa is just as far away from New Zealand than what Ireland is from South Africa. How I see it: 1. New Zealand -Daylight- 2. South Africa -Daylight- 3. Everyone else I like the reasoning from Red Kev's post the most.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Rhino, if you believe that the irb ranking system is scientifically valid then yes, you and CS are correct. But that's the system which also had Argentina behind Japan until last w-e don't forget that. That's why I don't pay too much attention to it and only have an occasional glance; its an indicator, not a 100% accurate photography of rugby's landscape (imo).
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
1st: 4.4 points 2nd: 4.46 points 3rd-7th: 4.9 points That's "the rest".
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Roll Eyes.... let them go play the Boks in SA and they'd get hammered 3-0 (3 games) and nobody will be surprised. Just like Wales, England and Scotland. There's no doubt in my mind. Our players were laughing and joking before last week's game as they WRONGFULLY rocked up with the attitude, "It's just Ireland, we beat them in Dublin in 2010 and 2012 so will do it again". Obviously short memories though because they forgot about 2009, 06 and 04. They won't make the same mistake again though. Ireland are a good side. A much improved side and are probably the favourites to take the 6 Nations at this point in time. Hats off to them. But there's little chance they'll beat NZ or SA in a WC play-off game, or even Australia for that matter. Not saying it can't happen but there's a slim chance. Have they ever won down South at home against SA, NZ or Aus? I know they've never won in SA or NZ but maybe Australia? They beat Australia in the 2011 WC pool game in NZ.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Richard that's weird man... why would you say "I would"?? He's having a dig at Springbok fans too, of which I am one! So no, I shouldn't enjoy it.... the irony.. What I did enjoy though was his attitude in how he put his point across ;-) Bold. Regardless of if I agree with it or not (and no I don't agree with it). But maybe you didn't catch why "I enjoyed it"!? with only one line.
Derm
Roar Guru
Really? The figures are for each team on their own feed.
They were outsmarted.
I you had a return test next week I am confident we would win it, We lost that test because we didn't kick our goals, never created scoreboard pressure and didn't adapt to their tricks. Ireland has been very smart when playing the Boks over the last decade, they haven't toured is since 2004, hence never allowed their players to experience the worst against SA. We won't underestimate them again.