In the lead up to the November Internationals, Joe Schmidt claimed his Ireland side were looking to take 1 scalp from the Southern Hemisphere teams they would face. Everyone presumed that meant Australia because lets face it, Australia haven't been operating at the same level as their South African neighbours. What transpired though was something entirely different. Ireland shocked the Springboks with a perfectly calculated game plan and in doing so, catapulted themselves to 3rd in the world rankings (albeit with the help of poor performances from other nations). Australia, meanwhile have had 2 tight games against France and Wales coming out victors in both, after the appointment of ex-Leinster coach Michael Cheika. We take a look at the Irish team and what they need to do to win the game as both sides get ready to lock horns one last time before next years World Cup.
Ireland Team
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Peter O'Mahoney
7. Rhys Ruddock
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Conor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Simon Zebo
12. Gordon D'arcy
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney
16. Sean Cronin
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Dave Foley
20. Tommy O'Donnell
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Ian Madigan
23. Felix Jones
Schmidt has retained 20 from the 23 who played South Africa, with Richardt Strauss, Mike McCarthy and Jared Payne making way for Rory Best, Dave Foley and Gordon D'arcy. On the face of it, this looks like Irelands strongest 23 available for selection at the minute. Best will bring a leadership quality to the front row as well as a competitive edge at the breakdown which Cronin can't offer. He will also make improvements to the set piece with his scrummaging ability and more experienced darts. What's also exciting about the team selection is the moving of Henshaw from 12 to 13 where he has been primed for the last 12 months to take over for BOD. Against South Africa he showed flashes at 12. Moving him out a channel will give him even more licence to attack. Undoubtedly Rob Kearney is Irelands first choice fullback but one wonders if Schmidt has missed a trick here by not giving Felix Jones a real test against a top class opposition in an effort to get more from Kearney as well improving Jones in case he is needed next year.
Where can Ireland beat the Australians?
Set piece
A vastly superior lineout and maul along with a scrum well able to hold its own, should set the foundations for an Ireland win. Toner has been praised highly for his lineout calling ability while Dave Foley was named by Joe after the Georgia game for his control at lineout time too. Not to mention the General that is captain Paul O'Connell.
Half-backs
Bernard Foley has been going well for the Wallabies in recent games and his reputation has grown this year, while scrum half Nick Phipps has the terrier like tendencies that Peter Stringer and Danny Care possess. On the flipside you have Conor Murray and world player of the year nominee Johnny Sexton who are performing at the peak of their abilities at the minute. Both players are showing excellent game management abilities and they will bring a level of control to the team which their Australian counterparts could only hope to achieve after more time together and more exposure to that level of rugby.
Where might the Aussies have an advantage?
Broken Play
Australia have got possibly the best broken field runner in world rugby at the minute in Israel Folau. The man has the ability to create tries from anywhere on the pitch and if Ireland don't kick and chase well tomorrow, he could do serious damage when he gets up a gallop. Outside him he has a born finisher in Adam Ashley Cooper and towering debutant Henry Speith.
Breakdown
Playing at 7 for Ireland tomorrow is Rhys Ruddock who did some solid work against the Boks but really only found himself in the team by being in the right place at the right time. Not a natural openside he'll have his work cut out for him up against a genuine ground hog in Michael Hooper.
Schmidt will have his halfbacks well warned to kick accurately but unlike South Africa, there doesn't appear to be any glaring aspects of Australia' play for Schmidt to single out and focus on disrupting. Instead though, Ireland being the favourites will have to focus on imposing their own game and dealing with whatever Cheika has pinpointed as a chink in their armour.
Kick Off at 4.30 in the Aviva. Ireland 8/11, Australia 11/8
Verdict: IRELAND
