AUSTRALIA COACH Robbie Deans has made just a single alteration to the team that beat England 18-9 for Sunday’s Test match against Ireland at Croke Park. In what is essentially a decision based on a rotation policy in that particular position, 21-year-old David Pocock is preferred to George Smith with the latter dropping to the replacements. It is the same match 22 that togged out against England.
The selection offers an endorsement of last week’s performance at Twickenham while addressing what Deans believes to be a freshness issue, based primarily on the attritional nature of the openside flanker role.
“It’s the toughest position, certainly the most contact and the most involvement. We are blessed with a couple of world class opensides. They are sharing the work, not only between games but within games.
“To have a player that’s fresh and excited can often make a difference when you have two players of such high capability.”
The fledgling midfield partnership of Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane was conspicuously effective while Rocky Elsom’s quiet authority and on-pitch acumen in leading the team for just the second time last weekend was another example of a well calculated gambit: less so the decision to plump for the hugely gifted Will Genia at scrumhalf. He certainly repaid that faith.
The pre-match banter took on a traditional complimentary hue as both sides extol the virtues of the opposition. Deans acknowledged a certain satisfaction in the manner of the display in beating England but argued that it would not suffice at Croke Park on Sunday. “The win was important to us and hopefully we have taken a bit of belief out of that.
“Our challenge now is to first of all recognise that the level we managed against England at Twickenham will be inadequate in terms of the challenge we have got coming this week. Once we embrace that and tend to the detail around our preparation hopefully it will give us our best chance of performing against an Irish side that have beaten all before them.
“Having pored over the footage this week they (Ireland) have played some very good rugby. They deservedly won the Grand Slam and that is not easy to achieve. That alone is evidence of what we are likely to encounter.”
Deans smiled when asked whether he felt the Ireland game was potentially the most difficult of what is a Grand Slam tour as the tourists face each of the home unions. “The answer is yes because you only play one game at a time. We have Ireland this weekend. But you could probably say yes period because they have earned that right with their Grand Slam achievement.
“You look at the fact that their franchises have won the last two European Cups. They are a side that have a lot of belief, a lot of experience. It’s a potent mix. The game in Ireland is on a massive high at the moment. The Irish are an established and experienced combination, who are used to and expect to win every time that they play. We weren’t perfect anywhere (against England) but we were better.
“We are going to get a much more serious inquisition defensively. Ireland will be direct; they will be a bit more physical. England became lateral in their attack. I don’t think that will be Ireland’s way. They will look to physically ask the question of us, both with and without the ball.”
The Australian coach refused to subscribe to the notion that time spent in Ireland by his forwards’ guru Jim Williams and Elsom would allow the visitors a significant advantage.
“Background is good but it is a two-way street. These players know Rocky very well as well. The analysis is enormous these days. Sure Rocky and Jim know some of the (Irish) players but there are not too many surprises within the game.”
What Deans was willing to accept was that Sunday’s game at Croke Park, which will see Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll reach a century of Tests including his appearances for the Lions, will offer a noisy, colourful intensity in the stands.
“All of the elements are there aren’t they for a passionate Irish performance: Croke Park, O’Driscoll’s 100th Test, (facing) the Grand Slam champions. We’ve got no doubt that we’ll meet them at their best.”
He certainly didn’t seem cowed by the prospect.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AUSTRALIA’S LATEST WAVE Gavin Cummiskey
QUADE COOPER
Caps: 9.
Born: Waikato, NZ 5/4/88.
Position: Inside centre, flyhalf.
Only problem for Quade is the newly-announced vice-captain Berrick Barnes, age 23, looks set for a long-term residency at 12 once he recovers from injury. Still, Cooper has a future in the Wallaby set-up providing cover for Barnes and Matt Giteau.
WILL GENIA
Caps: 9
Born: Papua New Guinea, 17/1/88.
Position: Scrumhalf.
Possessing a dream pass and natural rugby brain, Genia profited from Luke Burgess’ exposure behind a losing Wallaby pack in the Tri- Nations to light up Twickenham last Saturday. They are playing down the George Gregan comparisons but he looks the real deal.
JAMES O’CONNOR
Caps: 12
Born: Gold Coast, 5/7/90.
Position: Utility back.
Another to struggle in the Tri- Nations at fullback but has been playing Super rugby since he was 17. A bit of the Luke Fitzgeralds about him: so good he has been selected regardless of age. Still a little on the petite side but enough flashes of genius already to keep us tuned in.
DAVID POCOCK
Caps: 14.
Born: Zimbabwe 23/4/88.
Position: Openside flanker.
The great white hope of Aussie opensides has massive shoes to fill. Phil Waugh has been discarded while George Smith rages against the dying of the light. Pocock has his doubters but his explosive late arrival against England bodes well for eventually seeing off Smith come 2011.
DIGBY IOANE
Caps: 7.
Born: Wellington, NZ, 14/7/85.
Position: Centre/wing.
Stirling Mortlock may have something to say about lightly giving up his jersey before the World Cup arrives but the Kiwi-born centre cum wing has the potential to carve out a niche in Robbie Deans’ plans. Oh and he scores lots of tries.
