Irish Strengths and Weaknesses
The Emerald Isle were tight lipped about their strategy to take down the Wallabies, instead spending the majority of the time praising their visitors. The Irish admitted how tough it would be to “nullify,” “contain” and shut down the Wallabies, who Captain Paul O’Connell labelled a superpower in a press conference several hours ago. Ireland pride themselves on their ability to minimise mistakes, likening themselves to the All Blacks in that respect. Having done some research on potential game plans the Irish have deployed in the past, it appears that Coach Schmidt hasn’t come out with a set game plan to the media at all. Rather, Schmidt has introduced his theory, based on “small details within contact zones that tend to make huge differences”. The gameplan will change depending on the opponent, but the plan will “feed back in to the breakdown”.
To summarise; “Piss off, I’m not telling you our plan”.
Schmidt’s side has gathered a reputation for being remarkably efficient in the ruck, generating quick recycles and front foot ball without relying on offloading to make inroads. It has been noted before that Ireland didn’t produce a single offload against South Africa, instead focusing on basic one out hit ups, but struggled to win those collisions against a big pack. With a lack of front foot ball Ireland’s two centers, both capable offloaders, didn’t get a chance to get the ball away in contact. Schmidt let slip in today’s presser that if Ireland were able to seize momentum in the pack he’d be “delighted” if Gordon D’Arcy and Robbie Henshaw helped open up the game by getting the ball moving through the tackles.
Ireland attributed last years loss to the Wallabies to a lack of physicality and an overemphasis on technical and tactical details, and will aim to improve in that respect to earn the backline every chance to succeed. Given the intimate knowledge of Irish and European Rugby Michael Cheika gained in his 5 years at Leinster, Ireland’s biggest producer of national talent, those from the Emerald Isle plan on producing a performance that their former Coach “has never before seen”. If the 8 Irish Lions can put on another show like they did in Sydney then the Wallabies will be in big trouble.
However, the Irish will face some challenges. The inclusion of Gordon D’Arcy, who reportedly had a near psychic connection with that other Irish outside center (who, just by the way, welcomed son Billy in to the world just a few hours ago. Odds of €100-1 for the ‘Son of BOD’ to play for Ireland. Worth putting $5 on!), will push Robbie Henshaw to outside center – a position he has experience at for Connacht in the Pro D12. Bringing that experience at a relatively minor club to handle midfield threats of Tevita Kuridrani and Israel Folau as well as slippery Wallaby wingers will prove a major hurdle. The Irish are expecting a lot of traffic through the midfield and I’m sure the Wallabies will happily oblige. Did I mention that it was this center pairing’s first ever game together?
Game on. Carn the Wallabies
