Ireland v Australia thread

[Donny B.]

Don't really look too scary tonight do they?

[nelly the elephant]

Don't really look too scary tonight do they?

Not really, no..........but they gave us a fair rude awakening this time last year.....I'd be wary all the same.

[Blue not red blood]

Can see plenty of garryowens from Jonny

[simonokeeffe]

you have to expect Australia to rotate some players after 2 successive weekends of test rugby, otherwise they arrive in twickenham dead on their feet

[slarty]

Cheika said he was aiming to give different lads starts on the tour.

[Peg Leg]

you have to expect Australia to rotate some players after 2 successive weekends of test rugby, otherwise they arrive in twickenham dead on their feet

And a win in Twickenham is all that counts.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

anyone got a decent link for online stream? in switzerland.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

found a great stream on acestream player (install VLC player and the acestream plugin for VLC from acestream.org) here's the ID b8242a3bf14185bb41e107a552f25129f0b16993

[simonokeeffe]

you have to expect Australia to rotate some players after 2 successive weekends of test rugby, otherwise they arrive in twickenham dead on their feet

And a win in Twickenham is all that counts.

a few people said to me Aussies looked tired v France, any truth to this?

[Peg Leg]

you have to expect Australia to rotate some players after 2 successive weekends of test rugby, otherwise they arrive in twickenham dead on their feet

And a win in Twickenham is all that counts.

a few people said to me Aussies looked tired v France, any truth to this?

They didn't look as tired as the French

[blockhead]

If Payne can't make it I'd love to see Olding given a crack but probably won't happen yet. Whats the word on Henry, Best? Zebo could be dropped, which is very disappointing because he could be a world star but he just seems to float through games.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

The word on UAFC is that Henry will be fine in time but will be out for a good while first.

Today showed again just how good Cronin is off the bench. If Best is fit I'd start him but if not then I'd go for Strauss. I'm very hopeful about his form, it'd be a major boost for Leinster if he keeps it up.

I'd promote Foley to the bench but that would be my only change from the SA squad unless Payne is out. If Darce does play then his line speed will need to be much faster than it was today. The lads showed last week how their pace can be a weapon defensively. I had expected that from Henshaw at 13, but not having moved to 12 and with Payne beside him who I usually think is a passive defender. That's how France shut Australia down a lot of the time last night. Foley's options were cut off outside him and the French just swallowed up whoever came down the ten channel. It was only in the last quarter or so that Australia started being a bit smarter and passing behind players to open up the field and get Folau and Kuridrani on the ball out wide.

Well there are a couple of other changes I'd make but none that I can see happening and I wouldn't quibble given how well they all went last week.

[simonokeeffe]

They didn't look as tired as the French

I blame the Toulon chairman

[Degz]

Same side, except Best back in with Cronin to bench, D'arcy to 12 and Henshaw to 13. Felix will maintain his bench spot, especially as Payne will be out. Foley could oust Mike Mc.

[suisse]

Same side, except Best back in with Cronin to bench, D'arcy to 12 and Henshaw to 13. Felix will maintain his bench spot, especially as Payne will be out. Foley could oust Mike Mc.

Exactly how I see it going too. Not sure I, personally, would have Jones on the bench because of all the fullbacks we have but 2 tries is a decent statement/

I reckon we'll beat them by 10 points.

[Degz]

Same side, except Best back in with Cronin to bench, D'arcy to 12 and Henshaw to 13. Felix will maintain his bench spot, especially as Payne will be out. Foley could oust Mike Mc.

Exactly how I see it going too. Not sure I, personally, would have Jones on the bench because of all the fullbacks we have but 2 tries is a decent statement/

I reckon we'll beat them by 10 points.

I wouldn't have him in there either, and would go with Gilroy.

Their midfield worries me, will certainly be a sterner test against Kuridrani, Folau et al then the rather predictable Saffers. Plus D'arcy put in a woejus performance yesterday. Their scrum is much stronger these days too.

It'll be close, hopefully we can nick it.

[suisse]

I was surprised France turned them over, to be honest. Didn't see the game. Are the Aussies knackered or are France waking up a year out from out group game?

[Degz]

France were pretty good, from what I saw, although they badly ran out of steam towards the end. Teddy Thomas looks like a hell of a finisher.

[Logorrhea]

France were pretty good, from what I saw, although they badly ran out of steam towards the end. Teddy Thomas looks like a hell of a finisher.

Yeah. Going forward with ball in hand he looks electric. Defensively, turned, or with a need to kick, I'm not so sure.

[JB1973]

If you can cope with folau and KuridranI in the midfield and stop hooper at the breakdown you will not only win but win with something to spare.