Ireland are considering changes to their team for Saturday’s series-deciding Test against the Wallabies, irrespective of whether their injured players recover in time.
Forwards coach Simon Easterby said no one had been ruled out of Saturday’s clash at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, although there are injury queries over prop Cian Healy (shoulder), winger Andrew Conway (hip) and flanker Dan Leavy (sternum).
“Cian trained (on Tuesday), Dan we managed a bit but he did some stuff and Andrew is still carrying quite a nasty hip pointer,” Easterby said.
“But the way they have presented themselves the 48 hours post-game is very encouraging.
“The medical staff and conditioning staff have done a great job getting the players right and the players themselves have really looked after themselves after a pretty bruising encounter in Melbourne.
“‘Even the guys that have carried some serious bumps from the weekend are looking far better than expected.”
The presence at training on Tuesday of Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne generated speculation he might be cover for Healy, though team officials said he was not an official member of the squad.
Irrespective of whether coach Joe Schmidt has a full complement of players to call upon, Easterby hinted at some changes to the match-day 23.
“I think there will be some changes, whether that’s the starting team or the bench,” Easterby said.
“There’s always going to be an opportunity through a three-Test series, not only through injury, but also through our need to try and get some exposure for some of the more inexperienced players on a tour like this.
“We’re not that far out from a World Cup and this has been a great tour for us to get to know players who we’re maybe not that familiar with and get some game time and training time with those players.”
While the Wallabies camp asserted the Irish had blocked Israel Folau in his pursuit of high kicks last weekend, Easterby didn’t feel his team did anything wrong or unusual.
“I just think on the weekend we showed a lot more urgency to get back and support the player receiving the ball,” he said.
Derm
Roar Guru
Jono, with equal respect, if you view the footage with both eyes open you’ll see that DHP does make contact with his knees at pace on Conway. Because he didn’t want to go low and instead tried to see if he could dislodge the ball while standing up. And if you keep looking, you’ll see the grimace of pain from Conway as he’s walking back from the try and you’ll see the medic talking to him and Conway pointing to his left hip where he was struck, and you’ll see the camera focusing on him for a few shots afterwards whilst the commentators warble on that he’s somehow injured but don’t acknowledge or seem to know how it happened. Other than that, glad you agree with me that it’s dangerous for the player being tackled.
Cross purposes
Guest
Unbelievable that someone could claim this re the contact on Conway .He was obviously in a lot of pain when DHP kneed him at pace and had to come off soon afterwards.Hopefully was just an accident and not nastiness.Did not like Foley throwing his boot in when Furlong scores either- could have been another injury if he connected. Tony Ward had a great article on this yesterday highlighting how vulnerable the try scorer is in the act and that they need more protection
cuw
Guest
" DHP didn’t even make contact with Conway in the tackle. If he did, it was very minor and could not have possibly led to Conway’s injury. Conway’s injury came from a different incident. " really??? then why is he limping off after scoring and having a chat to a trainer immediately ?? this kind of thing is immediately penalized and carded in7S rugger. i remember Argies lavanini - announced himself in super rugger by diving on the back of a try scorere well inside the line , and getting a yellow :D
Jono
Guest
Guru, with respect, if you view the footage it seems DHP didn't even make contact with Conway in the tackle. If he did, it was very minor and could not have possibly led to Conway's injury. Conway's injury came from a different incident. Although I do agree with you that this type of tackle is more common than it should be and is dangerous for both layers.
Derm
Roar Guru
The injury tio Andrew Conway (hip pointer) came about in the course of scoring his try when the incoming Australian player, Hayley-Petty who had hared across the field ended up leading with his knees into the side of Conway as he attempted to tackle him, but was too late. This seems to be a habit from some players/teams in making tackles in these situations, and the outcome is rarely good for the scoring player. It has happened to a couple of Leinster players earlier this season as well which is why the tackle to Conway brought it to mind again. I don't believe it is premeditated negative action on the part of the tackling player, but it is something that should be looked at in the context of player safety and injury reduction within the game. Regarding possible changes by the Irish coaching group, Easterly's comments fit with what they've been saying all along in terms of development priorities. Kilcoyne is one possibility instead of Healy. Ross Byrne instead of Carbery on the bench as 10 back-up. Stockdale back in on the wing, if there's doubt about Conway. And possibly Larmour to full-back, although Kearney is Schmidt's favoured back-three rock. Given the importance of midfield, I don't expect any changes unless Schmidt thinks that Aki can add something different instead of Henshaw. Henderson has had a rest so maybe he and Toner start with Ryan and Beirne on the bench, Other possibility is O'Mahony at 7 to accommodate Beirne on the blindside which would increase the jackalling and turnover potential from both players.