The Baby Wallabies v The Little Paddy’s

It’s do or die for Ireland after their 34 all draw with England last weekend. They have bought four players into the run on side and moved their tighthead across the front row to loosehead. The Wallabies have made 10 changes to the team that defeated Fiji last Saturday. Paarl is looking wetter than a Dolphin’s toothbrush, so I’m not hoping for running rugby tonight.

The First half

The Wallabies started strongly, bashing away at the Irish line, but an intercept of an ambitious pass from Bowen and the resulting 80 metre dash put Ireland in a position to score themselves. The Aussie boys got a little excited in defence and took a step too far and gave away an easy three points.

Henry O’Donnell kicked off Australia’s scoring, taking the last pass on a pretty 80 metre movement off an Irish knock on Australia’s 22. The Wallaby backs moved the ball quickly from the right side to the left, then David Vaihu stepped inside two defenders to get in the back field, from there it was hands for the Wallabies try.

Ireland powered over shortly after, initially, from a great run from one of the Giraffe’s then finished off by James Nicholson. They kicked a penalty right on half time to sneak back in front 11-10 at the break.

Ireland look to be a very well drilled side with plenty of forward power. My guess is that they’re very well suited to the “damp” conditions, and Australia will do well to end up in front after the next 40 minutes.

The Second Half

Ireland immediately tightened things up and started playing their power game. The Wallabies seemed to have no answer to the power of their scrum and maul. 13 minutes into the half, that power advantage paid off when Ireland’s big #8 steered their maul over for another try to lead 18-10. Ten more minutes of Beautiful forward dominance saw Ireland stretch their lead to 23-10 after McCarthy broke off the back of yet another powerful maul to charge over for his try.

The Wallabies did respond to the pressure, but the damage was done. Despite better showings in general play and the lineout, the rain and wind, along with great Irish kicking, kept them deep in their own half. Ireland scored their bonus point try right on full time to complete a dominant display, winning 28-10.

The Wash Up

The Wallabies had no answer to Ireland’s wet weather football. Australian side don’t commonly play in the rain, as most councils close down sporting fields in wet weather to preserve the grounds. Ireland’s forwards dominated, their 10 kicked with purpose and precision, and once they had the upper hand they never took a backwards step.