O’Callaghan plans to lead Irish rookies by example

IN A country still reeling from Thursday’s political coup that led to Australia having its first-ever female Prime Minister, leadership is the hottest topic of all Down Under.

We don’t suppose Donncha O’Callaghan paid a great deal of interest to Julia Gillard’s historic mid-week ascension to the highest office in the land. He’s got matters of more pressing importance on his hands. But Australia’s hot topic is also O’Callaghan’s.

The veteran second row will stand out from the pack at the Suncorp Stadium here in Brisbane tonight (mid-morning Irish time). O’Callaghan leads the most inexperienced battalion of Irish forwards in recent memory into battle against the Wallabies, but he does so without the sweeping oratory that has dominated Australian airwaves since the political upheaval.