The Wallabies will be out to atone for last week’s poor performance against the French by bouncing back against Ireland at Lansdowne Road. Join us on The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:30am (AEDT).
Ireland are playing some of their best rugby ever, with two solid victories in their last two outings.
They managed to upset South Africa 29-15 before powering through Georgia 49-7, so the side is high on confidence and keen to claim another scalp.
Irish centre Jared Payne has been ruled out with a foot sprain and Leinster forward Mike McCarthy has also been ruled out with a concussion suffered against Georgia.
If there is any extra motivation to take into this game, it’s the fact that Ireland has moved up the IRB World rankings to third, a spot above Australia, following a run of six consecutive victories.
The Wallabies have come under scrutiny following a poor performance against the French last week and a get-out-of-jail win over Wales. Many believe the Wallabies are still going backwards but there were some signs against the French that the Wallabies could get it together before the end of the tour.
Israel Folau, Quade Cooper and Will Genia were all brilliant late in getting the Wallabies back into the game. It was the Wallabies defence that was disappointing, with a few soft tries letting the French take advantage early. No doubt this will be something Michael Cheika has addressed.
Cheika’s also brought about the changes with Kurtley Beale named on an extended bench while also making some changes to his starting line-up, with Henry Speight, Sam Carter, Luke Jones and Matt Toomua all included.
Joe Tomane, James Horwill, Sean McMahon and Christian Lealiifano have all been dropped.
This match will be about how the Wallabies respond to their criticisms and mistakes, and whether they can turn their poor form around. If they can put in a solid performance against the Irish we can safely say that they are on the right track heading to the World Cup.
Prediction
Cheika has worked his men off the field this week, expect them to end Ireland’s good run of form.
Wallabies by 7.
Peter Agen
Guest
Ireland play to the weaknesses of the team in front of them. The objective from Schmidt was to minimise offloads and to test the fullbacks with high ball. They underestimated the fluidity of the Wallabies' attackin the first half but in the second half completely changed tactic and closed them down. I would argue that Australia were one dimensional because they failed to adapt to Ireland's change in tactic for the second half. WBs were smothered in second half and should have kicked more to get through Irish defence.
Peter Agen
Guest
Sounds like sour grapes. If Ireland couldn't defend outwide how come Australia didn't score in the second half?? Phipps try was also an intercept from Zebo so I don't see what your point is. Man up, the Wallabies lost, end of.
Peter Agen
Guest
Ireland completely changed their way of playing in the second half, Australia didn't. A team has to be able to adapt and Australia should have stopped trying to run through the Irish defence. The Wallabies have great players but were weak tactically.
Peter Agen
Guest
Exploiting the laws of rugby is what the game is about! What did you want Ireland to do, play soccer??
WoobliesFan
Guest
Bingo Dingo.
Roger young
Roar Rookie
"Ireland were not that good" But good enough to defeat you
Yes, Cheika needs to replace either Beale or Cooper with a power runner.
Grassy Knoll, like I said earlier, Cooper's passes were too flat. That was my biggest criticism of him.
Robbo
Guest
Hopefully when Stephen Moore returns to Wallabies he will be reinstated as captain Hooper is an extraordinary player, but he is not a leader. Seldom is he seen rallying his troops to an improved performance during a match - he is mostly trying to recover his breath and wandering around alone behind the line.
JB
Guest
Foley is just starting out at 10 , happy to wait and see but I think he's a more complete footballer than quade, and he's more interested in getting his team over the line than having an awesome highlight reel.
Grassy knoll
Guest
Foley has the luxury of playing behing the A team forwards. QC comes on chasing the game with the reserve forwards.
Grassy knoll
Guest
how can you really tell, QC had 15 min and plays with the reserve forwards who spent a good portion of that time resetting scrums ? Genia had 12 minutes so again I say too hard to compare.
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Trypho. Not sure about that. btw is this a Kiwi plot so that Conrad doesnt have to face Tevita? ;)
In Brief
Guest
Ireland exploited the laws of rugby and managed to win by playing for penalties. That's probably smart play, but hopefully one day the game will evolve beyond some of the laws which mire the game. The first penalty of the match was a classic. The Irish player actually won the ball, and yet the Wallabies were penalised for 'holding on'. How can you be holding on iif you don't have the ball? The tackled player is entitled to place the ball. The defending player is enttiled to compete. Let's see who gets the the ball and play on.
randomstranger
Guest
I thought Australia were amazing and should have won. If anything, the only thing you were missing was Pocock - someone to turnover more ball. In every other department, Australia looked lethal. Even Bowe's try was really just an intercept - he had no choice as Australia were almost certainly in for a try if he din't intercept it and I think he knew that so he committed to it. I love Australian rugby and think they play the most exciting rugby of any team when they're in full flight. I'm Irish btw. I know we are not as good as Oz, but a little more disciplined. It was similar to the game between France and Argentina. France are better but Argentina found a way and they are determined like Ireland. They just kept sticking drop goals over and bled the French dry. I love Ireland but I also love Argentina. They're my second favorite.
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
Yes, I think everyone thought that having both Beale and Cooper on the bench was a poor option. Horne should've got the nod. KB will be under some pressure next year with JOC coming back into the frame. Perhaps Cheika just wanted to get Beale back in and avoid the media circus at home next year if he got selected.
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
Sorry Fox, not sure what you're on about here. Foley was very solid. If you're frustrated by the field kicking I can empathise, but there was clearly a mandate to kick and keep the ball in play, avoiding the Irish lineout. Toomua, Foley and Folau kicked down the centre of the park and the WB's generally chased well. It's hard to find turf consistently with 2-3 Irish fullbacks. I think there were a few times they could've run, but that's what the Irish wanted - field position, hence Murray and Sextons incessant kicking. QC had some nice touches, with the offload, and the grubber to the sideline. He took on the line a few times which is good to see. I thought the biggest thing against him was having no Kuridrani do hit at 13 and this is where I'd criticise Folau and Speight for not getting more involved. I think we have 2 good FH's but there really is no case for Foley to be dropped at the moment.
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
Our boys have had a very long year and we a severely depleted, especially in key positional areas. I don't think it's really a factor - plenty of improvement in both teams next year - although I would like to see the Irish run the ball a bit more. Their back line had no penetration and they were heavily reliant on penalties from about 20 minutes on. WB's are still their own worst enemy. Tommy Bowe's try should never have been scored. You can't gift teams 17 point leads.
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
He wasn't playing 10. I thought he was ok, but his timing was a bit off - Toomua put him through a hole from the forward pass and QC gave him the ball when he was static a few times. I wouldn't have picked him because he hasn't played any recent football. But we didn't lose because of back line subs. We consistently create opportunities only to bomb them with poor handling and execution. Losing the last 2 scrums, dropping the ball 10m out from the line and getting isolated are things that sit squarely on the players shoulders. Too many games in the balance there to be won, only for poor decisions and poor skill to let us down.
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
Yeah, zero line breaks. Not sure what was so bad with the defense.