Mitchell causes Western Force player revolt
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John Mitchell, the Western Force coach, has a player revolt on his hands as a number of leading players consider exiting the club. The Western Force who started the 2008 Super 14 season strongly struggled as the year went on and this could be put down to some difficulties in the club between players and coach.
Rumours have been circulating for many months of leading players looking to escape the Force after communication with coach John Mitchell having broken down. Star players like Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe and Drew Mitchell are hoping to leave the Western Force if Mitchell does not leave first.
The players have reportedly become sick of the coaching style of Mitchell who has also experienced a player revolt at the All Blacks that lead to his sacking after the 2003 World Cup loss ton Australia.
Nathan Sharpe could well return to the Queensland Reds at the end of his contract which Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau have been linked with the Brumbies.
Giteau who left the Brumbies to a million dollar a year contract at the Force is keen to return to his family and his close friendship with Mitchell could well lead Mitchell into the Brumbies hands.
What went wrong for the Wallabies?
Well every Wallaby supporter will be looking at the result and wondering what went wrong after their defeat 39-10 to the All Blacks at Eden Park. Was it the third game in three weeks, was it playing away from Australia? These are some of the questions that will and have been asked.
Deans was interviewed after the game for Fox Sports and made no excuses for the Wallabies. He acknowledged the superior effort of the All Blacks and that with the pressure on them through the week they delivered in grand style. Deans did not use any excuses and for this it shows him to be a man of great character. So often coaches or players explain losses through fatigue or travel but none of that from Deans.
Robbie Deans acknowledged the good preparation during the week and the positive attitude within the squad. Deans did indicate that the team at times in the first half choose the wrong option and also did not sustain any momentum because they did not hold onto the ball enough.
The Wallabies now have three weeks off before their next encounter against South Africa in Durban on 23rd August. This will give them plenty of time to lick the wounds and hopefully have everyone fit for the South African leg of the Tri-Nations Rugby.
For me the Wallabies went in flat in comparision to last week. They lacked the dynamic approach at the breakdown that was a highlight of the game last week. I don’t put this down to a lack of commitment but more to the amazing All Blacks who were playing with zest and passion. The option to play Phil Waugh and George Smith backfired, although it could be said that nothing either of them could do would have made a difference. An early knock to Phil Waugh which appeared to leave him concussed was a setback as Waugh never really made an impact on the game.
The Wallabies scrum was solid which was a good platform for the backs but too often they ran sideways. Giteau had a poor game, some of his kick options were poor as was the execution. The pressure the All Blacks were able to mount on the Wallabies was far more than the Wallabies could produce in return in defence.
The loss of Adam Ashley-Cooper at halftime was a blow to the Wallabies as he was having a solid game at fullback and kept the Wallabies in the game. Drew Mitchell replaced him at halftime and played well with the limited opportunities he had.
Deans has to be admired for sticking with Burgess, while he was heavily pressured by the All Blacks and had an average game, Deans can see something special in him and he has a long test career ahead of him. Perhaps the addition of Sam Cordingly at halftime or shortly after could have added some much needed experience in a pressure cooker situation.
Do you have an opinion on where the Wallabies fell over against the All Blacks? Share your thoughts in our comments section.
Bledisloe Cup - All Blacks vs Wallabies Preview
Tomorrow night will be a key test for both the All Blacks and the Wallabies at Eden Park in Auckland. The All Blacks have never lost three in a row under Henry and the Wallabies have not won at Eden Park since 1986. It is shaping as another wonderful game in what have been a tough and highly competitive Tri-Nations Rugby series to date.
With Australia at the top of the Tri-Nations table with a game in hand over South Africa and New Zealand a win here would put them in the box seat to win the Tri-Nations and also the Bledisloe Cup. A win by New Zealand would make the Tri-Nations a close even contest between all the teams before the trip to South Africa.
Australia’s coach Robbie Deans has had unprecedented success for the Wallabies, with a five from five winning start since taking over from John Connelly. This is arguably his biggest test as the trip to Auckland, a traditional boneyard for Wallabies teams will pit him against the team he would have loved to coach.
For New Zealand the heat has been on Henry. unlike Deans who is still openly celebrated in New Zealand, Graham Henry is almost on his knees. The New Zealand crowd will lynch him if the All Blacks fail and Henry’s head could be on the chopping block as early as next week. A win is essential for the All Blacks.
Where will the game be decided? No doubt the forwards will be the key as will the breakdown. Having two terriers like Phil Waugh and George Smith who is in career best form prowling the breakdown the Australian side will try to dominate. The work of McCaw will be essential, if he is rusty early on the All Blacks could be on the backfoot. McCaw knows how important the match is and will be up for the game of his life.
The forward match last week was surprisingly even. the Wallabies believe in themselves now and play with the passion that has not been in their game since the 2003 World Cup. It is now of never as the new blood in the team and the enthusiam Deans has given the team has them no longer fearing the All Blacks.
For the All Blacks to win they will have to dominate early, the modern day All Blacks are a confidence team and if they get down early they may struggle to fight back. The home crowd will be a massive inspiration and the Wallabies will face a far more hostile crowd that the crowd that faced the All Blacks in Sydney.
The Ruck and Maul is predicting an All Blacks win by 6. I expect the All Blacks to come out ferociously and try and dominate the Wallaby forwards. If the Wallabies are still within a try at halftime then I would start to think the Wallabies could come back, they seem to believe they can win under Deans and this is the energy and desire that has always been a part of the All Blacks but seems increasingly on the wane under Henry. I expect McCaw to be the key inspiration for the win but expect Smith will go toe to toe in what will be an epic clash.
I am looking forward to the game and would love to hear from anyone on their tips and also comments from anyone who is going to or at the game. Please post a comment and share your thoughts.
The respective teams for the second Bledisloe clash are;
Australian Wallabies
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
New Zealand All Blacks
Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Anthony Tuitavake.
Mortlock back to battle All Blacks in Auckland
Stirling Mortlock is back to lead the Wallabies into battle against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Mortlock has recovered from the concussion that ruled him out of the sensational victory on the weekend.
Only one other change was made to the team to take on the All Blacks with Phil Waugh added to the team to replace Rocky Elsom who is out with a ligament strain to his foot. The pairing of George Smith and Phil Waugh is a mouth watering option that Robbie Deans will be unleashing on the All Blacks, along with Richie McCaw and Schalk Burger they are the four best backrow players in the world.
The fact Australia will unleash two outstanding flankers upon the All Blacks will ensure that the All Blacks will have to be at the top of their game to nullify their brilliance. With the return of Richie McCaw the All Blacks will be more potent and Deans will be hoping that they two sensational players who play well together will be able to deliver another blow to the All Blacks in Auckland.
The Wallabies team to take on the All Blacks is;
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
Wallabies celebrate Bledisloe win
The Australian Wallabies produced one of their finest team efforts in recent years to down the New Zealand All Blacks 34-19 in Sydney last night. In what was a fantastic match the Wallabies deserved their win with a magnificent team effort.
This was one of the most hyped Bledisloe Cup matches in recent memory, perhaps since 2003 as new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was to face off against the man who won the New Zealand coach over him, Graham Henry. It was billed as a match where Robbie Deans wanted to make the All Black selectors ro regret their decision to re-appoint Henry and despite that it was anything but a grudge match. Both teams started dynamically but it was the All Blacks that slipped up first when Brad Thorn tackled Giteau high near the posts and was sent to the bin for 10 minutes, it was hardly a sin bin offence but Australia thrived on this period of 14 men from the opposition.
Giteau took the penalty and Australia were on the board first. It was not much longer until a fantastic effort from the Wallaby team and some inspired play at the ruck with a long Burgess pass and a fine low pickup by Giteau before unleashing an unmarked Cross down the left wing to score. It was soon 10-0 and the All Blacks looked shell shocked.
The Wallabies were dynamic around the ground with Smith, Elsom and co dominating the breakdown, even the much maligned scrum held up first and did not look like cracking early on. It was not until half way into the first half when the All Blacks started to find their mojo. It was the brilliance of Dan Carter who inspired the counter attack and eventually the All Blacks scored after an 80 metre try that went through a number of hands until Mils Muliaina scored. It was the sign for the All Blacks to spring into gear and they began to dominate for the next period. However, the Wallabies were to score next with a fantastic effort again by Tuqiri and then a kick ahead by Ashley-Cooper who was in fantastic form at the back for Peter Hynes to score. The Wallabies were looking at a 17-5 lead with two minutes till half time but the dynamic All Blacks again sprung into gear and scored a length of the field try to Andrew Hore. It was half-time and both sides looked exhausted, the score 17-12 to the Wallabies.
The second half started with the All Blacks of old as they rushed the breakdown, the previously dominant efforts of Smith, Elsom and the forward pack seemed subdued as the All Blacks gave it their all and it paid a big return with a fantastic series of plays providing a try to Andy Ellis. It was converted by Dan Carter who was starting to exert his considerable class into a 19-17 lead. The All Blacks looked to have the running now but the Wallabies never gave in as Smith and Barnes, then Giteau and Horwill dug deep to produce some amazing aggression at key moments to pull of great tackles and ball steals. It was Smith who stood up most when it all countered and he played an insprirational role in the performance of the Wallabies as they struck back. The try finally came to Rocky Elsom who incised the All Blacks through the middle of the field to run over 25 metres and score under the posts. It was the fantastic play of the Wallabies, with Giteau playing a major role in the stages leading up to the try.
The Wallabies then extended the lead with a Giteau drop goal from his opposite foot with 12 minutes remaining. With a lead of 8 points the victory was almost sealed. However, the Wallabies were not done their as they produced some dynamic play with their substitutes on and Phil Waugh smashing the All Blacks at the breakdown the Wallabies delivered a series of telling moments that symbolised the game, they pulled off big tackles when it mattered and then turned key ball over at the breakdown and then unleashed an enthusiam rarely seen from the Wallabies. With the Wallabies stringing phases together they unleashed Hotwill close to the line and he barged over to cap off a sensational individual match and team effort. The Wallabies won 34-19.
Ir is hard to single out any one player for the Wallabies but it was perhaps Giteau, Smith, Elsom, Barnes and Horwill who had the biggest impact but it was the whole team that delivered brilliantly. The forwards looked inspired and Australia dominated the breakdown, they held firm in the scrum for the majority of the game and the backs prospered with a platform to work with in attack. The defensive effort was hard and each tackle seemed to pound the confidence of the All Blacks, Smith typified this with some bone crushing tackles and fantastic play around the ground. It is hard to imagine a Wallabies team that does not have him in it playing a major role.
The only negative for the Wallabies is Rocky Elsom who has been ruled out of this weeks match due to a ligament strain. Australia will take on the All Blacks next week in Auckland in what is shaping as a make or break game for Graham Henry. If the All Blacks lose I don’t think we will see Graham Henry leading his team on the Northern Hemisphere tour at the end of the year. Even if they win it looks like the damage has been done.
Do you have a comment about the game? Share your thoughts!
Australia 34
Tries: Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill
Goals: Matt Giteau 4 conversions, 1 penalty and 1 drop goal
New Zealand 19
Tries: Mils Muliaina, Andrew Hore, Andrew Ellis
Goals:Dan Carter 2 conversions
Rugby Tri-Nations - Wallabies roll South Africa 16-9
The Australian Wallabies have triumphed over South Africa in a thrilling match that is a massive endorsement for the new ELVs at international level. After two sensationally close matches between South Africa and New Zealand we were treated to another classic in Perth where the match was always tighy and either side could have won the game.
The South African’s came firing, dominating the first 20 minutes. The Springboks were dynamic around the field and had the Wallabies on the back foot scrambling, if it was not for the excellent defence early on the Wallabies could have been down a couple of tries. Francois Steyn was first to score points with a penalty from 40 metres out with a pinpoint kick. The next 20 minutes saw a reversal of possession as the Wallabies started to dominate possession and maintain some control of the ruck with the backrow of Elsom, Smith and Palu taking control. The dynamic Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Robert Pires were outpointed as the Wallabies scrambled and started to use the width of the field and dominate the ruck. This period of possession finally took a toll as some superb phase play let to a great try out wide to Tuqiri with 4 minutes o the break. The kick was not missed from the sideline and the Wallabies led 5-3 at the break.
The second half had the Wallabies coming out on fire as them dominated possession and with a solid scrum they were able to leverage this advantage to continually stay on the front foot. This was the first time in years where the Wallaby front row and forwards gave the backline a chance to show their skill with a great team effort with the backrow, locks Sharpe and Horwill and front row of Robinson, Baxter and Moore all playing out of their skin.
The Wallabies scored their second try of the match after some strong phase play once again and some quick ball off the back of the lineout where Smith took the ball off a long throw and delivered a short pass to Hynes who bolted straight and hard. It was then quick ball that exposed the Springboks as the overlap gave the Wallabies a try to Mortlock who straightened up out wide and scored over the top of three Boks players. Once again the conversion from the sideline was missed and the score was 10-3.
Mortlock left the field not long after in the 49th minute after a late hit from Bakkies Botha and the ensuing play led to a penalty and a 13-3 lead after the Giteau conversion. The Boks knuckled down and struck back again soon bringing the score back with a penalty, 13-6 gave the Boks some hope and they surged forward. In the 66th minute the Boks exposed the Wallabies out wide and if it was not for a fantastic tackle from replacement Cross Habana would have scored, as it was he dropped the ball over the line and the Wallabies continued to hold them out. Only three minutes later a penalty led to Matfield choosing for a penalty kick and the Boks were edging closer 13-9.
With 10 minutes remaining the South African’s gave it their all as they had a renewed zest and determination to win but the match was sealed with the drop goal of Berrick Barnes with less than 2 minutes remaining, it was an inspired effort and the Wallabies triumphed against the World Champions. George Smith played one of his finest matches in his 87th match and was man of the match in the ruck and maul’s opinion. His pilfering at the breakdown at key times, hard running and tackling was inspirational and his captaincy when Mortlock went off sealed the victory. It is fitting that Smith should also become the most capped Wallaby forward and has a place firmly locked away in the best Wallaby side of all time.
The rest of the team were also dynamic. The backline fired with Giteau and Barnes controlling the team, Ashley-Cooper was stable and dynamic at times at fullback, the wingers Tuqiri and Hynes both had great games and the forwards were excellent. The performance of Robinson and Baxter were noteworthy as they looked like seasoned veterans as they sustained everything the Boks delivered and then gave even more back. Sharpe was inspirational along with Horwill who controlled the Australian lineout like never before against the Springbok legend Matfield. All round it was a deserved victory and not one player failed to deliver the goods on the night.
Australia 16
Tries: Tuqiri, Mortlock
Goals: Matt Giteau penalty, Berrick Barnes drop goal
South Africa 9
Goals: Francois Steyn 2 penalties, Butch James penalty
Wallabies squad unchanged for France
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has stuck by his team for the first test against the French on Saturday. Robbie Deans has named an unchanged team in what is a change of practice over recent years. Not once in the reign of John Connelly as coach were the Wallabies team unchanged from one international to another. Coach Deans did impress upon his players the importance of taking your place for granted and that each player should play each international like it was their last. This attitude would generate greater competition for spots and keep everyone on guard that any drop in form will see them dumped for another player who is performing.
The Wallabies will play a French side that is dramatically different to the team they fielded in the World Cup final but while it is a youthful squad it is arguably just as good and in some opinions the youthfulness of the side and enthusiam matched with the speed and ability of the team could be arguably better than the top rated French side they could field if they had the players from the top four teams.
The Wallabies team is;
Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Wallabies survive tenacious Irish
The Wallabies were too good for the Irish on the scoreboard but not on the field last night. The Irish delivered a stirring performance but the solid Wallabies defence and aome impatient moments from the Irish cost them the game.
Robbie Deans would have been relatively pleased with the first effort from the Wallabies under his leadership but would be hoping for more in the coming tests against France before the Tri-Nations. The Wallabies looked tired at the end but hung on with Ireland putting the Wallabies under extreme pressure in the final minutes.
Deans will be impressed with the performance of his forward pack who were steady against a solid predominately Munster pack. The workrate of the Wallabies was also good with a solid effort with George Smith as always putting in a first rate effort and playing a key part in the win with pilfered ball and key tackles. The commitment of the Wallabies at the breakdown was impressive in the first half but dropped off in the second half as Ireland gave it everything. Fatigue likely played a major part in this but this will improve with match fitness.
The Wallabies backline looked classy, the speed of Peter Hynes was put to good use with an expansive game. Luke Burgess had a solid if unspectacular debut but suffered late in the game when the Wallabies went missing at the breakdown, consistently the Irish outnumbered the Wallabies in the last 20 minutes and George Smith did not have enough teammates and lost the contest and Burgess was consistenly overrun after having to go into the breakdown to retrive the ball. The late addition of the bulldog like Waugh gave the Wallabies a boost in the final minutes as the fresh legs helped them hold onto the victory.
Giteau and Burgess looked good together and look like forming a strong combination in the backline. Berrick Barnes was sensational and is likely to be a permanent fixture at the inside centre position. Lote Tuqiri took what limited chances he had and looked impressive, Stirling Mortlock was solid in defence but had few moments in attack. Cameron Shephard did well at full back and covered an intercept by the Irish just long enough to stop the Irish scoring a try.
While it was not a bad performance it’s a step in the right direction and it was good that the Irish gave it their all as it is a wakeup call for the Wallabies that having the master coach Robbie Deans is not going to win them the game, they have to work for it. The Wallabies now have two weeks till the French game and will improve even more in that two weeks as patterns and combinations start forming.
Do you have an opinion on the Wallabies performance? Who was best on ground, leave your comments below.
Australia 18 Ireland 12
The Australian Wallabies will be happy to have scored a win tonight after Ireland were clearly the better team but the defensive effort of the Wallabies saved the day. George Smith was everywhere and pilfered some key balls at the breakdown and made some key tackles, Berrick Barnes also had a strong game and was seen all over the park. Ireland will consider themselves unlucky not to win having plenty of chances and ample possession but it was the key final pass and some scrambling defence by the Wallabies that saved them the game. Never was this effort more obvious than the final minutes of the game when the Irish had nearly 20 phases and the Wallabies held on through some fantastic scrambling defence.
Ireland started strongly dominating early possession and using the full width of the field as they played with nothing to lose. The Irish attack pushed the Wallabies hard early on but were unable to score the first points that went to Australia after some expansive play where they finally scored a try to Berrick Barnes after a strong run from Lote Tuqiri. The try was setup by quick ball from Luke Burgess at the ruck and excellent support play.
Ireland did not take long to strike back with a pushover try to Denis Leamy after a strong lineout win metres from the Wallabies try line. The try was converted and Irish led 7-5. The Wallabies soon took the lead once again with good support play and a great pass from Giteau to Horwill who scored next to the posts. The try was successfully converted and the Wallabies, led 12-7. This was extended when Giteau kicked a penalty goal leading up to half time. The Wallabies led 15-7 at the break.
The second half started strongly for the Wallabies with a penalty to Giteau after 4 minutes of second half. The pressure soon turned on the Wallabies when Ireland had again the run of the play. Ireland will rue two chances on the 52nd and 55th minutes when a forward pass was pushed by Ireland with an open line ahead and an intercepted cross field kick by O’Driscoll on the half way line was somehow saved by Cameron Shephard after another botched pass from O’Driscoll. Shephard was trapped his tryline with no support and two Irish players but somehow the Wallabies came to cleanup and a certain try was left begging despite questionable efforts by Shephard to release the ball. The referee called in the Wallabies favour and awarded a scrum to the Irish as opposed to a penalty try which Ireland perhaps deserved. The scrum was defused by the Wallabies and once again they got off the hook.
Ireland were not to be denied and scored a sensational try that stretched 80 metres in the 63rd minute. A fantastic pass from O’Gara unleashed Tommy Bowe down the sideline in a 40 metre run and a fantastic final pass with cover coming across from Tuqiri to O’Driscoll for a sensational try. The conversion was missed but the Irish team visably lifted and with only 15 minuutes left in their season they went all out for victory. The aggression of the Irish at the breakdown lifted and the Wallaby forwards appeared to go missing late in the game at the breakdown which allowed the Irish to pin Burgess at key times causing vital turnovers. The Wallabies made some key late substitutions with the addition of Phil Waugh and Dean Mumm who both were involved in some key defence in the final minutes.
The Wallabies were successful in the end but it was not the convincing win many thought they were capable of and in the end it was the Irish who were the better team but they could not pull a victory out of the bag. It is obvious that the Wallabies will need more time under Robbie Deans before a noticeable difference will be seen.
Wallabies 18
Tries: Berrick Barnes, James Horwill
Goals: Matt Giteau 1 conversion, 2 penalties
Ireland 12
Tries: Denis Leamy, Brian O’Driscoll
Goals: Ronan O’Gara 1 conversion
Australia vs Ireland Preview
Australia vs Ireland is shaping as a mouth watering match for Wallabies fans who are hoping to see the start of a new era under Robbie Deans. The former Crusaders coach was the most successful in Super 14 history and John O’Neill the Australian supremo will be hoping to that his masterstroke of luring Robbie Deans to the Wallabies will start producing results immediate results against Ireland on Saturday night.
Ireland will be no easy beats and anyone expecting Australia to win comfortably may be wishful thinking. Ireland possess a battle hardened team that have been solid in recent times and will acquit themselves well around the paddock. With their rising star Robert Kearney showing impressive form and Brian O’Driscoll still one of the best outside centres in the world they possess genuine attacking flair in the backs. They also possess the crafty halfback Stringer and O’Gara who will use all their experience to try and get the upper hand against debutant Burgess and new No. 10 Giteau.
While Ireland were well beaten in the scrum contest by the All Blacks last week they are crafty around the ground and will not stop trying. Paul O’Connell who is their general in the forwards and around the ground will need to take alot of the pressure and Ireland’s performance will hinge largely on his shoulders. Ireland who will still be annoyed at some key errors last week will feel they had their chances to beat the All Blacks but did not take their chances. They will try and dominate at the breakdown with aggressive play and work on the debutants looking to take advantage of any errors the Wallabies produce.
The Wallaby side is blessed with attacking flair across the park. The backline is one of the best in the world rugby and any side with Giteau, Mortlock, Tuqiri who be thanking their lucky stars. The Wallabies are also blessed with great emerging talent with Berrick Barnes having a sensational World Cup campaign and Cameron Shephard, Peter Hynes and Luke Burgess all keen to take their chances. The Wallabies who have been working on the fundamentals and core skill building with Robbie Deans will look to utilise an attacking style of play and aim to use the width of the field in much the same way the Crusaders have done.
The forwards will need to be on song and the battle of the breakdown will loom large in the key to the Wallabies winning. George Smith will be keen to maintain his advantage over Waugh breathing down his neck and he is rarely outside the Wallabies best in each test. Smith’s craft and flair at the breakdown will give the Wallabies a key advantage. Elsom has had a sensational year and just keeps getting better, it would be a shame if he is lost to the Australian game, even if only temporary on a European sabbatical. The Australian front row will need to be on their game and Dunning, Moore and Robinson will to need to be on their game but with the Irish scrum experiencing problems against the All Blacks last week then a win in the scrum will not be a definitive sign the Wallaby scrum has improved. Horwill and Sharpe will form a solid lineout combination and Horwill’s aggression is something the Australian game can dearly benefit from this season.
I am tipping the Wallabies by 8 in what should be an entertaining and expansive game. The Wallabies will get the upper hand through the breakdown and forwards and this will open the door to their backline to show what they have to offer. The biggest concern would if they take the foot of the break cause Ireland will strike back given any lapse.
Wallabies
Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Ireland
Robert Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Paddy Wallace, Tommy Bowe, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, John Hayes, Rory Best, Marcus Horan.
Reserves: Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Geordan Murphy, Girvan Dempsey.