Spare us the blarney, my folk were from Kerry
Nevertheless, if you believe the tales of woe from some quarters of Ireland about the chances of their team in tomorrow’s match against the Wallabies, you’d figure the lyrics sit just right. I’m here to tell you, in this part of the world, we don’t buy it.
If there were a World Cup for courting the underdog status, there wouldn’t be enough cupboard space in all four provinces of your beautiful island to horde all the silverware. My grandfather was born in Ballyduff, Co Kerry and, as you surely know, Ballyduff won the All-Ireland SHC in 1891. What you probably don’t realise is the brave boys from Ballyduff were playing down their chances big time in the lead-up to the final. 120 years of practice, and you reckon we haven’t cottoned on to you yet? The heat down here makes us slowish, but we’re not that thick.
Admittedly, the results in Ireland’s lead-up matches weren’t special, but apart from individuals strutting their stuff to ensure selection, what motivation was there in those games? The Wallabies got beaten by Samoa in their opening international of the season and were smashed by the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup clash of the year at Eden Park, a ground where we have failed to win a match since 1986 and which just happens to be tomorrow’s venue.
Damian Mednis, the Munster strength and conditioning coach during their Heineken Cup success, told me there are two things about the Irish which should make all Australians nervous this week. Firstly, they need a real challenge to bring out their best. The Wallabies provide that. Just look at the last four matches between the teams. A draw, one win to the Irish and two Wallaby wins, both in Australia and both by no more than a converted try.
Ireland has lost all four World Cup matches between the countries but two of them have been by a single point.
His second observation is that, even in the midst of a dodgy patch, there is always one really good performance in the Irish. Robbie Deans and company are well aware that could unfold at Eden Park. Sean O’Brien, Cian Healy, Eoin Reddan and Rob Kearney coming back in make it a more dangerous outfit than played the USA.
The reality is the Wallabies believe this Irish team has the potential to provide as stern a test as any other that might face them over the next five weeks. It’s not the perfunctory pre-match talking up of your opponent. It’s what they believe, and trust me, they are nervous.
From a parochial point of view, that is a good thing and made infinitely better by the fact those nerves are accompanied by a growing confidence and self-belief. This is a quality Wallaby side that is improving with every outing, so there is no question anything other than a switched-on Ireland could cop a decent beating.
Big games are won by world-class players and there’s a number of those developing in this young Australian team. Hooker Stephen Moore gets better every year, as does the Australian scrum (thank the Lord!), captain James Horwill now has the confidence he may once have lacked, some neutral judges have rated David Pocock superior to Richie McCaw, and there is a back line full of brilliant individuals. Quade Cooper, James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale or Will Genia — take your pick. Concentrate on one, and another will bite you.
In a sign of a maturing side, the Wallabies have not fallen to the temptation of just chucking the ball as quickly as possible to one of the twinkle toe brigade. After the hiccups of their two Test losses earlier in the season, they’re aware they need to earn the right to go wide, and to that end their performance at the breakdown and some of the less glamorous aspects of the game have been wholehearted and effective. The issues they may once have been keen to shirk, are now being welcomed.
While their first World Cup outing against Italy was impressive, particularly in the second half, it came at a cost with a broken thumb injury to Digby Ioane. He is a vital member of the side and while he wears number 11, it should be bracketed with a little number 6 or 7, such is his willingness to do the work of a proxy forward when things aren’t being spread far and wide. He’s a brilliant winger but a better footballer. His absence is a major bonus for Ireland.
It’s been a wonderful start to the World Cup with some quality rugby from not just the bigger powers but from the less likely ones as well.
Should both teams bring their best to the table tomorrow, it promises to be the match of the tournament so far, and the only pity will be that someone has to lose.
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