World Cup: Ireland vs Australia

[TITAN PETE]

Australia v Ireland preview
By Nigel Wall
NRL.com
2:50pm Thu 07th November, 2013


Australia v Ireland
Thomond Park, Limerick
Saturday 8pm (UK time)
Sunday 7am (AEDT); 6am (AEST)

On Sunday, our World Cup stars dressed in green
Will take pointed instructions from coach Sheens:
“Don’t slacken off, my charges
Make damn sure of your barges
Or over the next few weeks you won’t be seen!”

That’s the key message for the Kangaroos ahead of their game with Ireland in Limerick which will serve as Australia’s final hit-out before the quarter finals commence next week.

Several new and fringe-regulars within the squad of 17 will be keen to press their claims for inclusion at the business end of the tournament, while the demand on entrenched members will be to perform to the levels expected of them – or else.

Sheens has made seven changes to the team that thumped Fiji 34-2 in trying, wet St Helens last weekend, most notably resting dual man-of-the-match winner Johnathan Thurston, who gets the night off along with Greg Inglis, Darius Boyd and Matt Scott.

In a reshuffle, last week’s starting No.7 Daly Cherry-Evans will start at No.6 for Thurston, with Cooper Cronk rejoining the team at halfback. Billy Slater returns at fullback after Inglis filled in last week, while Brent Tate reclaims his spot at right-side centre. Brett Morris will play on the left wing, with twin brother Josh shifting to the left side of the field to nab the jersey worn by Michael Jennings last week. In the forwards, Greg Bird comes in for Luke Lewis and Sam Thaiday gives Matt Scott a rest.

With similar weather conditions likely in Limerick, Sheens will be demanding more focus from the side in the build-up to the knock-out stages. They played in fits and starts against Fiji; rather than putting the Bati to the sword they found themselves battling to string together a good volume of thrusting blows, hampered by 11 errors and a woeful 71 per cent completions rate. Sure, they won decisively but Sheens knows they can’t afford to register that low figure against a top-notch team or they face ruin.

That’s unlikely here against an Ireland side that was competitive against Fiji (losing 32-14) but overwhelmed by England who ran in 42 unanswered points in Huddersfield last Sunday.

That said, the Kangaroos know the biggest threats will come from NRL players Brett White, Rory Kostjasyn, James Hasson and Api Pewhairangi.

A point of interest will be Robbie Farah lining up opposite Pat Richards, who rejoins the Wests Tigers in 2014 after teaming with Farah to win a premiership in the black and gold in 2005.

Watch Out Australia: Ben Currie is a strong, prolific runner of the football who could sneak through the Aussies’ front line if they drop their guard. Playing No.6 against England, Currie made 12 runs, busted a bunch of tackles and managed an offload. He also made two offloads at lock in their first outing against Fiji.

Second-rower David Allen is a capable promoter of the pill, with three offloads from two games.

Really though, complacency looms as the only possible inhibitor to an Australian annihilation of the Irish.

Watch Out Ireland: The Morris twins Brett and Josh, who reunite for their third Test match together, could carve the Irish open on the left edge. Brett scored a try and ran for a game-high 178 metres in the Kangaroos’ win over England, while Josh scored a try despite limited opportunities against Fiji. Significantly, England’s left-side winger Ryan Hall crossed for three tries against the Irish last week.

Where It Will Be Won: On the fringes. The Irish defence will do their best to engage the Kangaroos’ forwards up the centre of the park but they will be unable to prevent creative plays from spreading the ball wide. Every time it gets in the hands of Cherry-Evans, Josh Morris, Brent Tate and Billy Slater, points won’t be far away. In fact, we’re expecting the centres to cross for more tries than the wingers.

Televised: 7mate – Live from 6.30am (NSW), 5.30 (Qld).

The Way We See It: This is the chance for the Kangaroos to click and rack up a cricket score, which they should do with ease. Australia by 50-plus points.

[TITAN PETE]

time for some new World Records

[DIEHARD]

Yea it's gonna be a bloodbath! Probably the first crowd I'm concerned about as well. Any ticket updates?

[DIEHARD]

Aust can't afford Ireland slip up: Sheens

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens says his players can't afford to slack off against Rugby League World Cup whipping boys Ireland, warning one bad game could be enough to lose a spot in his side.

Australia are expected to run out big winners in their final group game in Limerick on Saturday, with Ireland conceding 72 points in their opening two games - more than any other nation.

Nonetheless, Sheens is treating the hosts with respect and believes intense competition for places within his best 17 will ensure there is no complacency from the tournament favourites.

"Guys can't afford to play poorly in any Test match, let alone as the competition goes through and we're looking for our best team," Sheens told AAP.

"It's not a bad idea to put up your hand and play well.

"... They've got in their minds, and I've planted that seed a little, there are positions up for grabs for the quarter-finals here.

"That's really the thing I think will keep them fairly motivated."

Australia will face Ireland for the first time and victory will seal top place in Group A and a quarter-final meeting with tournament surprise packets the US.

After rotating his squad throughout the group stage, Sheens is expected to return to his first-choice team from next week and several positions are still up for grabs.

Daly Cherry-Evans, who starts at five-eighth against Ireland alongside Cooper Cronk, is battling Robbie Farah for a bench utility spot while the likes of Boyd Cordner and Nate Myles are in the running to take injured Luke Lewis' interchange spot.

Veteran Brent Tate is the frontrunner to partner Greg Inglis in the centres but faces competition from Michael Jennings and Josh Morris, who lines up alongside twin brother Brett at Thomond Park.

Sheens has suggested he will remain loyal to his players that beat England in the tournament opener, provided they hold their form.

"The guys themselves would understand they have to play themselves out of a position rather than someone play themselves in at this point," Sheens said.

Ireland's faint hopes of progression ended in a 42-0 defeat to England last week but Sheens expects a spirited performance from the Wolfhounds on home soil.

Mark Aston's side features some NRL talent in Brett White, Rory Kostjasyn, James Hasson and Api Pewhairangi, but a lack of depth has been exposed in heavy losses to Fiji and England.

Australia could be in for another wet and wild night, with forecasts indicating similar conditions as in their 34-2 win over Fiji in St Helens last week.

"There will be an element of levelling with the conditions," Sheens said.

"... We still have to do the basics.

"With the conditions, the home crowd and nothing to lose, there's lots of things that can lift a side.

"They'll come out with a good attitude and we've got to match that."

A modest crowd of around 6,000 is expected in Limerick, a rugby union stronghold.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

Next time, time to give Ireland a spanking. Now this is a game in danger of elipsing 60 points. I just hope Ireland play some steady football, put in some good kicks and arent afraid to throw the ball around.

[DIEHARD]

Kangaroos

1. Billy Slater
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Brent Tate
4. Josh Morris
5. Brett Morris
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Paul Gallen
9. Cameron Smith (capt)
10. James Tamou
11. Greg Bird
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Nate Myles

Interchange:
14. Boyd Cordner
15. Robbie Farah
16. Andrew Fifita
17. Corey Parker

Reserves:
18. Josh Papalii
19. Johnathan Thurston
20. Michael Jennings

[shamus]

The game is being played at Limerick....

Come one people.....Come up with something!!

Too late for me...I'm pi$$ed

[Titanic]

Okay ... only because you asked so nicely:

There once was a centre named Blair
Who was doing his wife on the stair
But the banister broke
So he doubled his stroke
And finished her off in mid-air

[DIEHARD]

[DIEHARD]

Ireland wearing a loving alternate kit, it's white with green chevrons.

[TITAN PETE]

The Irish are playing a surprisingly strong defensive game & should be very happy to be holding the Aussies to 16-0 after 30 minutes of play

[TITAN PETE]

26-0
64% of the ball
9-1 penalty count

Australia have a massive way to go before they will be ready for the Kiwis

[Toads]

Grrr.. I wish Channel 7 would get the broadcasting times right, just for once!

[DIEHARD]

2nd half underway!

[DIEHARD]