Ireland’s three-test series against the Wallabies in June has taken on a new meaning for Michael Cheika.
Overnight the men in green downed defending champions England 24-15 at Twickenham to claim their third Six Nations grand slam to match their efforts of 1948 and 2009.
Both sides crossed for three tries, but England couldn’t land a goal in 80 minutes. Ireland converted all their tries and added a penalty after leading 21-5 at the break.
In a bizarre situation former England centre Andy Farrell was Ireland’s defence coach charged with keeping his son Owen quiet as England’s fly-half and goal kicker. Dad was the obvious victor.
Apart from not landing a goal it was a bad night for England, losing their first game in 14 at home on the Eddie Jones watch and their third game of the tournament.
Jones’s impressive record now stands at 28 internationals for 24 wins – an 85.71 per cent success rate, after having slipped from 96 per cent pre-tournament.
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
For the record, Italy has chalked up two more records with their 17th successive Six Nations loss to equal France’s record set 98 years ago, and their captain Sergio Parisse has become the first to play in 100 losing Tests.
But all the rage belongs to Ireland, with June looming large.
Two weeks ago Cheika flagged he would step down as coach if the Wallabies didn’t win next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“We reached the final three years ago, and unless we improve to win the next one, I haven’t done my job, so I’ll step down,” he said.
Seeing the All Blacks, Ireland and England outrank the Wallabies in the world pecking order, winning the coveted cup in Tokyo seems remote at this stage. But June will be the perfect litmus test, even though the 2019 RWC will be over a year away.
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Coached by Kiwi-born Joe Schmidt, Ireland has won its last 12 internationals and a third Six Nations in five years. Schmidt is so devoted to Irish rugby that he became an Irish citizen in 2015.
Schmidt and Cheika have a lot in common, making June even more intriguing. They both keep looking for youth and depth in every position, but on current results the honours would have to go to Joe Schmidt, with 12 wins from their last 12 starts, while Cheika has won only six from his last 12.
But in all fairness the Wallabies have played the All Blacks three times for a win and two losses, while Ireland hasn’t played the men in black at all. The Wallabies have beaten the Boks twice and the Pumas twice, while Ireland has beaten those two countries once each. And among Ireland’s victories are two over Japan and one each over the USA, Fiji, and Italy.
So cold statistics often don’t tell the true story. But three tests in June certainly will.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that link - I hadn't seen it before so was relying on some manual arithmetic to get me through. Still looks like you didn't use it to calculate changes to Japan's position though! If you allow for them beating Italy twice by big margins, they still remain 1.5 pts behind Fiji in 11th place overall. Using the same calculator, Ireland will need to beat Australia in all 3 games, and France will need to beat NZ in 2 games for Ireland to move to number 1 in the rankings. There's a good chance on Ireland winning 3 however all the stars (and the refs) to align before France win twice - history is against them.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
You are welcome CG ;) It was you who posted a link to WR ranking site (like I had no idea about that the rankings can be found on World Rugby's website). I posted a link to a "ranking calculator" where one easily can see how the future rankings could look like if team X beat team Y and so on. I post it again, so hopefully, you get it this time. https://rawling.github.io/wr-calc/
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Swede - thank you for referring to me as a specialist. I've never really considered myself to be special at anything, so thanks again. However I am confused by your statement on "The link posted to me." My memory is that I sent you a link to the World Rugby rankings site. Looks like you didn't use it!
Scottd
Guest
For Ireland
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
That you reply to a tongue in cheek comment says it all really... But happy to know that you think my comments can be bewildering...
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Oh it is ranking-specialist ChrisG talking again... Was it too hard to use the link posted to you where you can calculate future rankings?
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
How are they going to break into the top 10 when they only play Italy and Fiji have no games on the fixture list?
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
OK. 2007 saw no plan b resulting in a loss (even if it was 10 years ago. Looks like you're struggling there). 2011 didn't need a plan b. They won remember. The point I think Highlander is making is that to be successful requires a combination of factors: team selection, tactics, game understanding are all mentioned in his post. So your comment that he doesn't assess these is bewildering. Finally your comment on Razor Robertson (even with tongue in cheek) also illustrates your lack of understanding of the point he is making. You do understand that the Crusaders are missing 6 starting AB's and their 1st choice five eight? A top tier national team would struggle with those loses let alone a club side.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
"One thing is for sure, no NH player has ever done a bigger impression in NZ in a shorter time than Itoje." You do the 1971 Lions an injustice. Barry John, Gareth Edwards, Willie John McBride among others all made a huge impression. I could provide numerous other examples of NH players who made big impressions on tour in NZ, however most of those occurred when NH countries sent their A team.
HenryHoneyBalls
Guest
Eh Ireland played England and France away. Back to back wins against them both. Do you watch the six nations?
Derm
Roar Guru
It isn’t going to happen. Ireland will be developing more players and France winning one test in NZ would be a miracle.
Taylorman
Guest
Iteland beat fifth place england by nine points. If thats what the difference is between first and fifth then yeah, throw a blanket over them. Ireand beat france by two. France also beat england. Wales beat Scotland by 27, and grance by one, and lost by six to england. Theres too much parity in the results to have one side ‘clearly’ better tgan the rest. Yes Ireland won theirs and that puts them ahead, but not as though they stand alone in front. Home game results explain that, as they did last year. Play this again with the venues reversed and Idont see Ireland getting the slam. Too many close matches.
aussikiwi
Guest
For whom and why?
rebel
Guest
Thanks Afonso, 100% agree. We are not allowed to say that for some reason.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Considering the Tahs are world beaters as of yesterday, expect a full complement of tah players come June.
Taylorman
Guest
He will if he wants to keep his AB coaching hopes alive. NZRU will want to see him under real pressure, not winning a home based 6N where the favourite flopped. Get him out of his comfort zone is what theyll want to see. You dont develop against teams you're likely to lose to and theres no assurance this tour is an Irish win.
Taylorman
Guest
ha ha...snap.
Scottd
Guest
No. I responded to the previous comment which was about recent history rather than the previous 100 years which would indeed make grim reafing for the irish
Jacko
Guest
Yes England has over 1/5th of all available union players world wide and they are the only guys getting tired? Perhaps if they managed their players like all other nations do then that wouldnt be an issue
Derm
Roar Guru
He won’t.