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.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ha ha Poth... you've changed up gear on the smack 'Ireland got lucky playing a third string team from New Zealand...' Yep! Ooh I know... I know :) Regardless, good luck buddy and let's hope it's a ding dong belter of a battle. Third string team from New Zealand... I never!!
Kiwi in US
Guest
Good luck to both teams. My opinion is that Ireland's superior fitness will make a big difference in last quarter. What a monumental year for them to knock off SA, NZ and AUS, in the one year. I love test rugby.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Ireland are favourites at Aviva Poth, despite losing key players. Im hoping the WBs win so its all on at Twickenham next week. But the WBs will need to be at their very best to beat a formidable Irish side. Im not ruling out a drawn match, either.
Derm
Roar Guru
Chook We're never favourites. Australia are ranked higher this year. They beat France Scotland and Wales so far. Ireland only managed to beat Scotland. Australia have also beaten South Africa and Argentina who monstered Ireland in the RWC. Ireland got lucky playing a third string team from New Zealand in an AIG Exhibition Match. They were trounced last week by the first team from New Zealand even with the ref as an extra player on their side playing against 13 men most of time and couldn't score a single point. They've lost their two key players from the back line and may lose two more. Should be a comfortable victory for Australia. How could they lose?
Machooka
Roar Guru
Righto Poth... talk it up. 'The game is Australia's to lose.' Yeah right! Nice bit of smack... or craic you've got going there?? :) C'mon buddy Ireland are favourites yeah... it's your house, your Ref and yours to lose. C'arn da Wallaby... the grass is oh so green. Emerald green. Time to get mean and show them Irish types why a kick from da Wallaby hurts so much.
Sandgroper
Guest
Thanks for a nice objective post, Declan. I live in a house divided. Surrounded by staunch IRL supporters I too have divided loyalties as the paddys are my second favourite side. My No 1 concern in this game is the ref. A Rugby match of this intensity and importance needs a cool hand in charge. Last week showed how a ref can literally bugger a good game with a couple of dud calls particularly when two high octane teams are at it hammer and tongs. M. Garces will be under massive pressure tonight, here's hoping he doesn't make a hash of it! How is the weather/ surface in Dublin today?
Machpants
Roar Guru
Percentage of foul play penalties that earn cards (2016): Wallabies: 25.9% ABs: 18.5% Ireland: 7.7% England: 5.3% The reason Cane was not punished after citing was that it didn't reach red card threshold, the judiciary do not judge whether there should have been a yellow card. But it certainly wasn't a red. Fekitoa's should have been and he didn't get one, so a week on the sidelines for him.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
To describe the tackle as such is sheer bloody mindedness from you. You are wishing for controversy. Are you truly a fan of the game.
Derm
Roar Guru
A call will be made in the morning about whether Payne and O'Brien will,play after they didn't take part in the Captain's Run today. Peter O'Mahony and Rory Scannell have been kept in the squad rather than play for Munster tomorrow just in case. If one or both players are absent, it will be another strong advantage to Australia with Ireland having already lost Robbie Henshaw, as well as Sexton. An unfamiliar backlime with less defensive skills will have Cheika licking his lips. That will put all the pressure on the Ireland pack to dominate the game. Van Der Flier will easily fill in for O'Brien, but leave the bench undermanned. The game is Australia's to lose.
Galatzo
Guest
From Patrick Madden writing for the Irish Times - "All the signs say this will be one of the games of the year between two very well-matched sides. Fixtures between the two nations are rarely dull. Ireland dominated the early years of this relationship, winning six of the first nine encounters, before Australia went on a run of 11 consecutive victories lasting from 1981-2002. During that winning sequence the closest Ireland came to beating the Wallabies was in the 1991 Rugby World Cup, when they were edged out 19-18 at Lansdowne Road after George Hamilton’s score was cruelly cancelled out by Michael Lynagh at the death. Things have been slightly more even in recent years, with Ireland getting pay back in the pool stages of the 2011 World Cup with a 15-6 win in Auckland. And the last time the Aussies were in town? 26-23 Ireland.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah Melon, I tend to agree it's a massive game for the Wallaby. Fair to say it's a massive game for both sides. If the Wallaby manage a 'W' then Cheika's mob have turned a corner. If the Wallaby lose it's not the end of the world as the Irish as presently favoured to win. But if the Wallaby get dusted then it's cause for concern. If the Irish are victorious then they will have enormous momentum and confidence going onto the 6Ns where England await. Regardless, my sincere hope is for a true Test match... and may the best team savour the chocolates. Thanks for the read Declan... and good luck for the match :)
Ralph
Roar Guru
It's going to be quite revealing as to level of mental strength in the Irish team, as whether they can bring the same level of game or not.
Ralph
Roar Guru
It's a good thing you do know better then Frank. Although, you went and said it anyway - ?
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Nice article to whet the appetite. I think Ireland should be favourites. They've beaten NZ once this season and gave them a good run the second time around. I think that's more than the Wallabies can claim. Plus the home ground advantage. Big test this weekend for the Wallabies.
Frank Frank
Roar Pro
I know its old news but I don't get how cane's tackle is let off because it was accidental? If you accidentally head high tackle it is your responsibility to no to do it. Canes shoulder went straight into his head and it wasn't like he was inches from the ground or leading with his head. The referee could see it on the big screen and the video ref of course was looking at i, and they only cared about where Canes arm went. So are players aloud to shoulder players in the head so long as they don't connect with a swinging arm? Strange. If i didn't know any better I's say the all blacks continue to be dealt no real consequence for continual foul play. What about the facial one of the all balcks gave Douglas this year, with the referee telling him to stop it and being ignored. I just couldn't help think, instead of begging him to stop, how about you blow your ruddy whistle man.
Kane
Guest
You've got your tries mixed up. They most certainly had a look at Barrett's try. They didn't look at Fekitoa's second.