Australia have gotten their three-match series with world No.2 Ireland started in the best way possible, a nine-point win on Saturday night at Suncorp stadium.
» Wallabies vs Ireland second Test live scores, blog
Final score
Wallabies 18
Ireland 9
It’s been a long time coming, but finally Test Rugby is back. It will be a fiery encounter when the three-test June series kicks off in Brisbane with the Wallabies looking to topple the ever-improving Irish. Join The Roar for live scroes and a blog from 8pm AEST.
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Off the bat, this match-up should be an absolute cracker.
We’ll start with the visitors.
Ahead of game one this week, Michael Cheika went on record stating that “this is probably the best team in Ireland’s history.” I would wager that the Australian coach’s assertions are not all that far from the mark.
The reigning six nations champions are riding a wave of form barely seen in recent professional rugby times, and haven’t lost in their last 12 games dating back to 2016. In this block of wins, they’ve toppled the highly impressive England twice, as well as South Africa, Argentina and Wales.
With that being said, they have a point to prove against teams such as New Zealand, and tonight’s opponents, Australia, if they’re to lay claim to truly being one of the top sides in world rugby.
In team news, Jonny Sexton sits on the pine, with Joey Carbery to start. Rob Kearney takes his place at fullback, and slots in behind an extremely tight defensive centre pairing in Robbie Henshaw and bruising Bundee Aki.
In the forwards, all eyes will be on James Ryan, the lock forward who is yet to lose in Irish colours. One of the most damaging ball carriers in world rugby, his match up with hit man Adam Coleman should be a highlight of this fixture.
Cian Healy and the aforementioned Sexton are noticeable names in the reserves.
For Australia, it’s more about the unknown factor of a number of key players in determining the result of this one.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu will make their starting debuts from hooker and No.8 respectively. Adam Coleman and Izack Rodda have been in hot form in recent weeks in Super Rugby, and will need every ounce of that against arguably the best lock pairing in world rugby.
In the backs, the big news is the omission of Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre, in favour of Samu Kerevi. While his impact in attack is undeniable, question marks still remain around his defence, especially at test level.
I see the game hinging on his partnership with Kurtley Beale in midfield. Israel Folau is in the form of his career, and takes his place at fullback, with Marika Koroibete and Dane Haylett-Petty on the wings.
Where the game will be won
The unknown factor?
It is extremely difficult to tip this game. Given the untested nature of a number of players at the top level, there’s much to be said for who seizes the opportunities that present themselves best.
I think Australia is a better attacking side, but Ireland’s defensive effort will be suffocating. It should be intriguing to say the least.
Prediction
Ireland will start favourites with the bookies, and that’s probably justified given their last twelve months.
With that being said, I really like the attacking mindset that Cheika has employed in his 9 thru 15 selections. Kerevi at 13 is a gamble, but it could well pay off.
Australia by 5
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 8pm AEST.
cantab
Guest
They can only go back 2 phases, so was an outright error by the Ref/TMO
ethan
Guest
Don't underestimate the role of Timu in this. Having a big body at 8 who can play tight and jump lineouts is exactly whats needed to balance it out. Hopefully Timu can do what Timani promised.
Paul
Roar Rookie
The reversal of the 60th minute try by Folau for a tackle without the ball, multiple phases before the Folau try must surely be a watershed moment in world rugby. I've been watching rugby since the 70s and I've never seen anything quite like that call. Yes you could have called a penalty at that moment, but the tackle without the ball had no effect on the lead-up to the try. So if you were to go back over the last 40 years of rugby internationals, and look up every try, and reverse every one that was tainted by foul play multiple phases earlier, you'd find that many great rugby internationals would have been ruined by such calls. The All Blacks wouldn't be world champions. The referees and the touchies and the TMO would be the world champions. And there would be no crowds.
Dahl
Guest
Agreed. No argument from me for TK to come back off that. TK needs to start playing better in the super rugby before he could run into the wallabies again. And I'm not sure the 9, 10, 12 combination at the brumbies will allow that for at least this season.
Don
Guest
How well did the pooper work, Hooper top tackler with some absolute belters, pocock not far behind and pocock won 3 turnovers to hoopers 2 great teamwork.
Ash
Guest
Pot.kettle.black
Gumboot
Roar Rookie
To be honest, I'm not sure what's worse...a cocky Ocker or a paddy that thinks the world loves them. You guys are both FANDANGO......"FLY ME TO THE MOON"
Rhys Bosley
Guest
It is a great stadium Mate, best in Oz for rectangle field footy in my opinion and close to a great party strip on Caxton Street. You won't be disappointed if you come.
Who?
Guest
I thought that live, but we - you, me, the ref - were all wrong. Stockdale was tackled, released the ball, took the contact from Folau and Koroibete, shrugged them whilst regaining his feet, the collected the ball from the ground when he was clear of the contact. I don’t know what the penalty was - Stockdale actually handled that situation perfectly... there was nothing illegal done by anyone. The bloke behind me (also in Gold) started asking the same thing as me (my questioning was internal). The Redbacks and TMO were both generally too quick to blow the whistle. Also would th noting that the TMO ignored the obvious hands on the ball for Murray’s dissent penalty, burn callled the tiny and leas obvious knock on at the death. I don’t think anyone - not Cheik, no Schmidt, not World Rugby - hasn’t any reason to Ben pleased with the standard of officiating tonight. Oh, and from viewing at the ground... Pocock = MOTM (in spite of the SMS vote - 2nd on that vote was Tupou!) Genia very good. Simmons’ dropped pass was Genia’s fault though - he held the pass too long and threw it behind Simmons. Fole poor. Ran 20m sideways to throw it to a top a triple teamed winger!!! Conversion of Pocock try should’ve been mine to catch, but he didn’t get it into the crowd!!! Felt like most of the Wallabies’ attack was based of Beale, and particularly his kicking game. He was very good. Targeted Stockdale in the air well. Koroibete tackled a lot of players without the ball tonight. Maybe that’s why Cheik loves him? Perhaps Coleman wouldn’t have been tackling players who weren’t ever getting the ball if the ref had clamped down on it earlier in the night. Along with lot of high tackles (unpenalised). Turning point was DHP holding up Stander. Ireland score there, it’s a very different game. Ireland looked much more challenging with ball in hand with Healy and Furlong on the park. Ireland showed a lot more subtlety in their attack than is being credited here. Without Pocock to slow the ball, the Wallabies would’ve been in real trouble. Conversely, Australia had arguably the better kicking game, primarily off Beale and Genia. EXIts were quite good - a massive improvement from previous years.
Highlander
Guest
Thanks Thugby Missed the hit on Murray, but he slow from the base, that aside, I think
double agent
Guest
I wouldn't be surprised if the All Blacks put 30 or 40 on the Irish.
double agent
Guest
Derm I've noticed and respected your informed and rational comments.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Spot on there Ethan, I would have spewed if they gave the Irish player a red (James Ryan I think), but it was a dead set yellow card. I think the ref's backbone matched the colour of the card he should have shown.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Ash have you ever said or thought something positive? Give it go! You may just find peace and sanity for a fleeting moment...
double agent
Guest
Poey was awesome.
double agent
Guest
I agree.
double agent
Guest
I was always a little bit underwhelmed by the threat of the Great Bundee Aki.
Fionn
Guest
Great stuff, mate. I really want to get up to Suncorp one of these days to watch them play. It was meant to be this test but things didn't quite end up working out how I had hoped :) . Still, the result did!
double agent
Guest
I agree. I was in two minds about him but he really stood up. One of the best.
double agent
Guest
England were here in 2016