Will Ireland beat the Wallabies at RWC?

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This will be an interesting pool game at RWC and perhaps one of the most watched. It seems some in Ireland are all excited at their prospects given their big win over England recently and they somehow reserve something special when playing Australia (just like England do). Ireland will have a tough outfit with a good backrow and mid field. Though a little inconsistent, Wallabies are showing they are in the ascendancy. With players like Beale, O'Connor, Cooper and Genia in the backs (average age around 22, but they have around 25 test caps each already) they arguably represent the most exciting backline in world rugby. But on occasions, the forwards do not turn up to do the work up front and that has lead to inconsistent results (eg England last year). However, they were the only team to beat the All Blacks last year and lost another test 22-23 to the All Blacks last year as well. Half the forward pack didn't play last year in the tests so they should be stonger there. They are getting closer to worrying the All Blacks in a big way, but close enough? Look at the Super Rugby form in 2011 - Genia and Cooper are running riot leaving Queensland Reds as minor premiers having beaten all comers from NZ and SA this year.

But before then are the pool games. Will Ireland upset the Wallabies, or should the question be "Can they ?"

I agree stag Schmidt isn't a miracle worker. Like you say Horgan, Jennings, Sexton, BOD, Nacewa etc. were already very talented and clever footballers and fit perfectly with the way Schmidt wants to play.

I don't believe at this level that a coach can mold an individual player into something he's not. If Kearney doesn't have the instincts to be an attacking fullback like Nacewa then Schmidt isn't going to change him into one at this stage of his career.

Overrunning the ball was a problem for him before he got the injury,it's incredibly frustrating watching him make the same mistake over and over again.I really can't understand how he hasn't fixed it as the solution is so simple.

roddersm wrote:

red_stag wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:unfortunatly he is generally a yard or two ahead in recieving the offload.

To me thats running poor lines. Overrunning the ball.

hmm Fitz is a interesting one as he's always been a clever player with a good awareness of space. In my opinion he does pick good lines, in that he sees the space and his angles are good. His timing seems to be off to often though.

Overrunning the ball can also be a sign of a player who doesn't have confidence in his pace. I think Fitzgerald hasn't had the same gas since his injuries and I think he knows this. This may be affecting his timing and discision making. He seems to be forcing everything and making errors.

That said he scored a cracking try against Ulster in the magners SF and put in a couple of huge hits on Courtney Lawes and Doug Howlett in the closing weeks of the season.

+1

Will Kearney even get a start for Leinster ahead of Nacewa?

MBTGOG wrote:Will Kearney even get a start for Leinster ahead of Nacewa?

Exactly.

The one rugby tv show in Australia has been running supporter polls throughout the S15 to select the Wallaby starting side. This is the side:

Robinson
TPN
Slipper
Sharpe
Horwill
Higginbotham
Pocock
Palu
Genia
Cooper
Mitchell
JOC
AAC
Ioane
Beale

2,3,6,11,12 are where Deans may choose differently if the injury gods don't decide for him.

boomer, that's a strong side, right enough

But Drew Michell is injured. Also is Rocky Elsom not 1st choice for Wallabies?

Yeah boys. I guess the thing is it was selected Position by position throughout the season, so Drew was probably picked pre-injury, higginbotham after scoring a wingers try, and Palu on hope. Deans will have to go with something different as life says that won't all be available or in form. RD has also said publicly that he doesn't think JOC is physically ready to play permanently at 12.

red_stag wrote:But Drew Michell is injured. Also is Rocky Elsom not 1st choice for Wallabies?

Rocky's hardly played yet this season. Must be seriously in doubt for RWC.

red_stag wrote:Looks like the 10-12-13 channel can be exploited. Beating Aussies will require attack not defense IMO. Stopping the Aussies scoring is too great a challenge. Attacking them ourselves is far better.

That is the nub of us winning the game. Dont react. Act. Let them react. Our defence is good enough to handle em.

I worry about Pocock abusing Wallace though. That's where the game will be won and lost. At the breakdown.

Pocock is a serious threat and could be a game changer. He doesn't get the attention during the S15 season that he deserves, probably because the Force have been mediocre (is he staying there next year?).

He was on a par with McCaw last year for pinching ball at ruck time, will be interesting to see if he can come out on top this years Tri nations.

I'm sure they'll be doing everything they can to get Elsom fit for the WC (maybe not match fit), they have a couple of altrernatives at 6 but not of the same quality ( Mumm has done ok at times at 6 for the Waratahs I wonder if he'll get a nod as a utility forward).

Can't see JOC starting at 12 either ( maybe they'll bring back Mortlock!)

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:boomeranga,

Injuries have been the biggest problem. The other one is that he isn't necessarily the best attacking full back. As a high bomb disposal expert, he is probably in the top 3 in the world but given the way this is Ireland team is developing and trying to play, he is not the right option.

+1

So glad someone has said this. This should be tattoo-d to Gibson's forehead

So much BS. To say Kearney is not an attacking/counter-attacking FB, for anyone who has watched Leinster, Irish and Lions rugby - over the last 3 years - is a posted joke. Complete myth.

Reminiscent, of the naieve posting convo, about Reddan being too slow to move and pass the ball fast & accurately - at this level. That one is now solved. He always was our best SH to help Sexton take this side a level higher. Leinster knew this. Now Ireland do. Please catch up.

Anyone who actually believes Kearney, is not the best option for the way Ireland are trying to play the game now... is on a naieve or biased - provincial one. And are promoting Jones, as a possible bolter to replace him. And who don't really conceive of what playing in and being able & ready for - a RWC. What it actually entails. No idea whatsoever.

So many parameters have to be taken into account. The ability must be there. Thats a prereq. But a prime attribute is, given that ability - could you handle, being away - from all you know, for months on end. And have the ability to deal with playing amongst and positively influencing - your vastly experienced, international - peers. Having the International cahones. Details matter, at the very highest level ya know...

Some people on here, are actually talking about Jones playing v OZ. Its been a great laugh. Please dont get me wrong kids. But, he wont even be on the plane. Earls is a 2nd-rate provincial FB - never mind doing it for his country. Fitz - dont even go there. Id take Murphy as another WC FB/Wing option and leave Fitzgerald behind.

Kearney will be our FB. Just rejoice we have him. You peasants.

He has the ability to make this RWC his own.

15. Kearney
14. Bowe
11. Trimble


Its a done deal.

Believe.

Its funny. Gibbo used say to everyone that they were too conservative give youth a chance etc. Now he's Steady Eddie picking people on reputation and has his World Cup XV picked 4 months in advance

Love you Staggy.

But this is the RWC. The time for BS is over.

You know Im roysh. Please tell the other kids. They listen to you.

I'll hand the sweets out later.

I'll tell em if I get 2 sweets. And loads of those funny Dutch herbs - not to smoke not into that sorta thing, but their worth a few quid I hear.

For me Kearney will travel with Earls for FB cover. Just don't seem room for Jones. But I don't see either nailed on to start against the Aussies.

There are a lot of spaces up for grabs - flanker, scrumhalf, winger and fullback all to play for IMO. Possibly hooker and centre too.

Ha!

Ok. Anyone else and Id take that joke further. You - I respect.

Yes. I know. I think a Kearney & Earls FB cover choice, is the right one. Murphy was a WC FB and has vast experience (it was to wind Taaaytooo up. We have a bet and what with his GF being in love with Kearney... he hates him) But, Kearney and Earls cover 5 positions between them. That will decide it. They go - on that basis alone. That and their international experience and the ability to do a job.

Fitzgerald is really phhoked, the more I think about it Stag.

Flanker? Please specify. Open or blindside? Ok. I'll make it easy for you.
6. SOB/1F (if he makes it).
7. Wally. (Jennings - if Deccie wakes up in time)

SH - Reddan.

FB - Kearney.

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Gibson wrote:Flanker? Please specify.

Ferris, Leamy, Jennings, Wallace, O'Brien, Heaslip are jostling for 5 spaces. Jennings isn't a Deccie favourite, Leamy is playing badly and Ferris is injured. Then consider Ryan/McLaughlin can cover 6 and lock too. I think that its still all to play for here.

red_stag wrote:

Gibson wrote:Flanker? Please specify.

Ferris, Leamy, Jennings, Wallace, O'Brien, Heaslip are jostling for 5 spaces. Jennings isn't a Deccie favourite, Leamy is playing badly and Ferris is injured. Then consider Ryan/McLaughlin can cover 6 and lock too. I think that its still all to play for here.

To say Jennings isin't a Deccie favourite, is like saying Atilla De Hun and Mother Theresa wouldn't get on.

He will use him (he has to take him - as Leamy is now shoyte and he cant logically justify his spot on the plane) - as a very last resort. And he's wrong. So wrong. It will cost us.

Ask Heaslip and SOB (on the sly like) - who they would have at 7 for Ireland. It wont be the old, yet gorgeous - 6.5 Wally. That's for sure.

Kidney's future may rest on that very decision. Must play Jenno v Oz.

I really think our greatest weakness is we don't have anyone to counter Pocock.We haven't produced a decent groundhog 7 in years. Could... jut thinking out loud here... could Leamy do a job in that position?

:run2:

IMO its not a ground hog we need at 7. We have our own effective method of slowing down the ball - hold the player upright and force them into mauls.

We need a guy who can blast a groundhog out of it. Someone who will charge into rucks all day long and has no interest in securing the ball. Like Neil Best in his younger days.

100% correct. What we actually need one the day is 8 of them. Then we have a chance!

Somehow, I have to agree.

To the 8 of them as a unit. Not Stag's post. That's bollix.

Dont be there to clear him (Pocock) out. Be there 1st (Jennings) - you wimps. That's why we will lose to Oz and go out to the Saffers in the QF's. Gobshoites.

Ferris is the guy we've missed in the rucks and mauls. He's willing to go in and do all the heavy lifting- he's a good ball carrier but I don't want to see him carry the ball against Australia. I want him to concentrate on all the ugly stuff. 7 and 8 can carry the ball.

A Australian side with Sharpe and Vickerman ,plus a half way decent front row.Will do OK.Every Wallabies side I have watched since about 1958 has struggled up front[more or less].
But the backs have got them through,they are one of only a few sides who
can go toe to toe with the All Blacks in a running game.
Ireland always seem well tipped in RWC`s they were expected to be best of the home countries in 2007.
In a neutral country,no travel problems both teams start the same,it is likely to be wet.
Whoever adapts there game best will win,OZ tend to come out firing ,get a lead,then get pegged back.
At least that was the pattern v ABs in most of the last 11 games versus them they were up at half time.They only just managed to win one of those
the answer is.
Yes,of course they can win indeed they have to if they are going to win RWC
and if the ABs fall again[God Forbid].
Ireland would look a nice name on the trophy.

Emack2 he of age and maturity experience and wisdom - one of the enlightened ones up north supporting the ABs.
But Ireland's name wont be on the trophy this year.

Maybe. But will NZ's ?

No. I expected Aus to beat Ireland in the RWC. Should be a cracking game tho..