Former Munster favourite Paul Warwick tells SportsJOE he will be cheering on Australia but ferreting out his Irish passport if Joe Schmidt’s men can make it a Guinness Series clean sweep…
It is rare occurrence when Ireland are favourites going into a Test match against Australia. I’m interested to see how that sits with them and if they can measure up to the hype surrounding their previous performances.
Australia pose a very different contest than South Africa – more lateral movement and creativity. They are still developing their identity and style of play under Michael Cheika whilst Ireland seem comfortable and confident in there structures under Joe Schmidt.
Cheika signed me for Stade Francais when I left Munster. He is a very passionate guy and someone who the players will definitely play for. He proved that, again, when he was with the Waratahs and galvanised them to win the Super Rugby title. He wants teams to play to their strengths and will not tolerate the indiscipline that was there in the past.
Cheika will tell you himself that he was not the most talented player but he always brought commitment and passion to the table. He knew that if he could do that, his more talented team-mates could do the rest. As a former back-row he is strong in that coaching department and brought through the likes of Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip at Leinster. He also deserves a lot of credit for his work with Felipe Contepomi. I was signed for Stade as an out-half but often dropped back to fullback when Felipe was there. He was very complimentary about Cheika’s influence on his game.
The Australian team, named on Thursday, is as strong as they could have selected. Cheika used the Barbarians match at Twickenham to try out some fringe players but these Test matches are all about building combinations and gaining momentum through performances and results.
It is as close to the first fifteen that Cheika could select, given that there are a couple of injuries up front. Henry Speight (video below) deserves his call-up and start on the left wing. He has been a top Super Rugby performer for a number of years. I know many Wallabies fans were wishing he had qualified a year sooner so he could have faced the British & Irish Lions.
Both teams have a smart, tactical thinking 9/10 combination and whoever gains the upper-hand here could determine the game’s outcome. Nick Phipps has a great work-rate and has brought a lot to the team. Will Genia will have his work cut out for him to get back into the team at this stage. Ireland have two players, in Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton, that are responsible for controlling the Irish tempo. They both carry out Schmidt’s instructions to the letter.
Bernard Foley has been faultless in his goal-kicking, decision-making and game management. He is not like the flashy Quade Cooper or Kurtley Beale but I have been really impressed with him. Australia need that type of player at the moment – one capable of carrying out the coach’s game-plan – rather than flashy 10s. They don’t have room for error at present and need someone how can stick to a play and execute it.
Ireland were top class against the Springboks at the breakdown and will need to match their efficiency and physicality to take full advantage of the Aussies. If they are as clinical and physical as they were in that game, I don’t see how Australia can live with them.
The Aussie scrum did well, for the most part, against France and in The Rugby Championship. The Wallabies have stuck with a lot of lads that, a few years back, were branded as being poor scrummagers. The scrum is improving, though, and should pose a challenge to the Irish. The return of Rory Best is crucial, I believe, as he immediately strengthens that Ireland front row.
I have been impressed with Australia’s progression this November and another step forward this week promises an exciting physical rugby contest. Anything short should result in Ireland maintaining their momentum and winning comfortably. I’m an Australian but I live in a houseful of Irishwomen (wife and daughters). I’ll cheer the Wallabies on but get out my Irish passport if the result goes against them.
