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Wallabies vs Ireland: International rugby union highlights, scores, blog

16th June, 2018
Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
When: Saturday 16th June – 8pm AEST
Betting: Ireland $1.95, Wallabies $1.86

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Dane Haylett Petty, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Brandon Paenga Amosa, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 8 Caleb Timu.

Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Lukhan Tui, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Reece Hodge.

Ireland
15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Devin Toner, 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O'Mahony (c), 7 Dan Leavy, 8 CJ Stander.

Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
16th June, 2018
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12895 Reads

Match result:

Ireland have levelled their June series with the Wallabies at 1-all and set up a deciding match at Allianz Stadium next week with a five-point win over the Australians in Melbourne on Saturday night.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Wallabies 14
Ireland 26

Match preview:

The Wallabies have a chance to secure the series win against world No.2 Ireland when they tackle the green machine in Melbourne tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 8pm AEST.

Last week, Australia did an Ireland to Ireland, to beat Ireland.

With David Pocock leading the way, ably assisted by his throng of loose forwards and ball hungry front row – Australia were immense at the breakdown in an 80-minute performance that would have had Michael Cheika mighty pleased.

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Indeed, at times, the Irish looked shell-shocked and unsure how to deal with the threat posed by Pocock and co.

In reality, it was a punch-for-punch affair that lays the foundation for a tasty narrative for game two tonight.

In team news, it’s a case of polar opposites.

Michael Cheika has named an unchanged 23 for the first time in his coaching tenure with the Wallabies. Speaking to Fox Sports earlier today, Michael Hooper said he was “excited at the opportunity” for his side to continue “growing and tightening up their combinations.”

Conversely, Irish head coach Joe Schmidt has rung in the changes to the side that was defeated in Brisbane last start.

The big-in is flyhalf Johnny Sexton, who will no doubt rudder his side’s attack in a much-needed boost to what was a relatively spluttering offensive outfit last week.

In other changes, Cian Healy comes into the starting XV alongside Devin Toner, Tadhg Furlong and Dan Leavy. Andrew Conway starts on the right win.

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Where the game will be won
Who adapts the best?

Ireland need to find a way to get quicker ball at the breakdown, and to dispel the aerial threat of one Israel Folau. If they don’t do those things, they’ll lose this game, and the series. Sexton being back is a big, big boost – and they should be better for their extra week in the country.

I think it will be a belter. Don’t be surprised if it comes down to the last two minutes.

Prediction
The odds have reversed from last week, but it’s still a bit of a coin-toss scenario. I like the confidence that Australia is playing with, though, and should just scrape home.

Australia by 3

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 8pm AEST.

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