Amongst the raft of changes to Ireland’s starting side for Melbourne, the one that may cause most angst for Wallabies coach Michael Cheika isn’t the recall of Johnny Sexton.
There’s been plenty of chat about their relationship given Cheika coached at Irish powerhouse Leinster when Sexton was coming through as an ambitious, abrasive and talented fly-half.
Cheika has been pumping Sexton’s tyres up for weeks, and after he was named in the No.10 jersey as the tourists aim to keep the series alive in the second Test on Saturday night, the Wallabies boss was at it again.
“He’s the maestro,” Cheika said of Sexton. “He’s running the show. He’s in charge. He’s directing traffic all the time, he’s a great competitor and he’s a great defensive player… he’s got a great kicking game too.”
Sexton was one of eight changes that Joe Schmidt made in response to their 18-9 loss in Brisbane, and the Irish team is now very close to the line-up that steamrolled their Six Nations rivals last campaign.
Ireland’s Johnny Sexton. (AFP PHOTO / IAN MACNICOL)
There’s no doubt that Sexton is top-shelf and his combination with Conor Murray in the halves will give Ireland the swagger they need to force a series decider in Sydney.
But the inclusion of Devin Toner might have a greater effect on Cheika’s tactics at AAMI Park.
Cheika also coached the 210cm, 130kg second-rower at Leinster, but it’s only over the last three seasons that he’s become a consistent and critical part of the Irish pack.
Ireland will be ready to throw Toner up at No.2 in the lineout all night, especially given the frailties shown by Brandon Paenga-Amosa on debut at hooker for the Wallabies last weekend.
The Queensland Reds rookie missed the target with three of his throws, and with rain forecast for Melbourne and the arrival of the beastly Toner, he faces a daunting task at lineout time.
It’s why Cheika will be likely be eager to keep the ball in play as much as possible, and why Schmidt will want Ireland to live on the edges.
Murray and Sexton will be aiming plenty of their kicks at the sidelines to put Paenga-Amosa under the pump. It means Wallabies wingers Dane Haylett-Petty and Marika Koroibete will be protecting their edges with plenty of vigilance and Israel Folau will be on high alert in defence too.
With the ball, the Wallabies would be crazy not to continue with their use of contestable kicks given the two tries scored in the opening Test came from momentum generated through kick accuracy and pressure.
Of Australia’s 25 kicks, 13 of those were attacking kicks – mostly for Folau and Haylett-Petty.
Israel Folau (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
It’s attractiveness is boosted when David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Caleb Timu, Pete Samu and Tolu Latu are ready to pounce on a back-tracking opposition.
It marks a bit of a shift in Cheika’s mindset. He put more emphasis on the Wallabies turning up for the June Tests fitter, and it translates into more confidence in defending for longer periods if possession is turned over from kicks.
Time will tell if Cheika wants to kick more against the quick-to-react All Blacks, but for now, the aerial arts are in. Is it too much to ask Folau to take on Toner in the lineout?
double agent
Guest
Agree with Thug.
Bob wire
Guest
Stillmissit, yes very true the 10 depends on good ball very often secured by the tall timber. Let's see how Sexton goes, I hope the Wallabies have.some plans for him ( in spite of what Cheiks said). Enjoy the game.
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, the drugs explains it for me too.
Derm
Roar Guru
Pfft. They must have been on hype drugs whoever you were reading. VdF is accomplished but not excellent. And currently injured. SOB has got pedigree on his side without doubt but his injury profile is such that his Lions tour may have been his last great games. I’ll be surprised if he survives for RWC. Leavy is starting out. That’s it. Review his body of work in five years. Next.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Peter, since when have you trusted a Weather Forecaster. They are 100% correct all of the time as they state; sunny, showers, heavy rain -- cover the lot and so always correct!! Ha! Ha!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
RT: as an ex-lock, I firmly believe there is no one close to Retallick, he is the best lock in the world. I am surprised that our lineout is so poor, it seems not only the throw but the organisation around it is missing. Certainly, Coleman and Rodda are big enough. Are the Wallabies putting enough focus on it? After last week's effort, I hope and expect they have this week.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Bob Wire: a 10 and a 9 for that matter are only as good as the ball they get to play with. The dominance of the halves starts up front. If they get slow ball or better still going backwards, then the fast D can swamp them. To some extent it does not matter how good they are if they are getting rubbish ball. I remember the Wallabies in the 70's living off scraps with a very competent backline.
Pinetree
Guest
The AB's loss to Ireland in Chicago was absent of both Whitelock and Retallick, and had a huge impact on our possession around lineouts and rucking. Not saying that 10 is a less important position, but that day I think a different 10 than Barrett would of made little difference to that game in comparison to Whitelock and Retallick at lock. IMO, quality locks are equal to quality 10 and halfback, or quality front row or back row, because without possession or turnovers at key moments, the 10 is nullified anyway on his ability to impact the game.
Harry Jones
Expert
Agree 100% here with Rugby Tragic.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Will be watching this Leavy very closely, some comments out of Ireland seem to think they have rhe best three 7’s in world rugby, in OBrien, Van Der Flyer and Leavy, who seems to top the three.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yep, fair call. Easy to say a player is overated when he has a poor game. Same comments have been made about Itoje, who, unlike Murray, has had a poor season in general, so fits the tag. Murray hasnt, so it is dangerous to assume that at this point...the Wallabies certainly wont be, and thats what matters.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah thats true, Murrays form has been generally very high through the years and is amongst that group you wouldnt expect to have ‘two bad ones in a row”. Perhaps he was weighed down a bit with having to look after the debut 10, and having Sexton back and his own personal pride taking a hit I’d expect him to be even more dangerous this time around, he gets a chance to redeem last week. In saying that, i fully expect him to have a go at the line himself until he scores. Thats a halves best way to stamp his mark on a match.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Agree with Sam here about big Brodie, big, strong, fast with great ball skills. I think he must be considered as being the premier lock in world rugby. Thank god he plays for the All Blacks! RG Snyman the SA rookie lock looks a great prospect (but opinion based on his solitary game last week) but had a great debut, off topic but I think he was the best lock at Ellis by a margin.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Not sure if I’d say that Murray ‘cracked’ under pressure Mzilikazi but he was hit hard at least 2-3 times and that had to make him ‘a little wary’. But the champion he is, I reckon he will put it behind him and come back. If the Wallabies can contain him, close up his space and avail him less time, it will go a long way for the Wallabies to close out the series. As if he is contained that will give Sexton less time too. But it won’t be easy. Ground conditions might influence how the game is played a little. A forward dominated game on a soft playing surface might favour Ireland. Really looking forward to the game.
ozinsa
Guest
He was mighty in the 6N - SOB hardly missed. Can’t understand why he didn’t start last week. I get putting games in your backup 10 but he is the backup 7. I can see you swapping he and SOB around if both fit but I just don’t get why he doesn’t start otherwise
codename_karla
Roar Rookie
Great analysis, I wouldn't be surprised if this was spot on and Ireland look to win line outs and build dominance in the maul. An unstructured game favours Australia and last week Ireland lacked the control they often produce when Sexton and Murray combine behind a dominant pack. I can't wait for this match.
codename_karla
Roar Rookie
I think there's a certain unwillingness among some SH fans to acknowledge Murray's quality as historically SH halfbacks have totally outclassed their NH counterparts. All the players you mention have areas of their game better than Murray: Smith crisper pass, Genia is a little general and great around the ruck, Faf de Klerk has great vision and pace and is better in open play. Murray is the best tactical kicker and is a better physical defender, although positionally Smith is probably better. He's also good around the ruck because of his strength and size. They all have their qualities and its churlish to claim Murray is overrated. We're talking about the top 4 scrum halves in world rugby.
Rebellion
Guest
As a kid I saw Tim Horan miss a one-on one tackle against his opposite All Black Centre in a Bledisloe Cup game in 1992. Never thought that was possible
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Roger that mate !
Derm
Roar Guru
Stockdale is injured so not available.