Dublin: The Wallabies will roll out their strongest possible side this week in an attempt to make amends for a humiliating loss to Italy against an Irish team who believe Australia will come out “all guns blazing”
Australia could have been forgiven for wanting to get out of Italy as quickly as possible on Sunday following their shock 28-27 loss – their first against Italy – in Florence. Instead, the Wallabies did some sightseeing on Sunday, with a number of players visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The team then boarded a late flight to Dublin for the penultimate match of their spring tour this Saturday (Sunday AEDT) against the world No.1 side. Ireland are coming off back-to-back wins over South Africa (19-16) and Fiji (35-17), following their famous 2-1 series win against the All Blacks in New Zealand earlier this year.
Neither Rennie nor his opposition coach this week, Andy Farrell, were impressed by what their sides dished up on the weekend.
“I thought we were poor,” said Farrell, who made nine changes to his starting XV for the Fiji match.
The Wallabies gather in a circle after losing to Italy in Florence.Credit:Getty
Rennie paid the price for making wholesale changes to Australia’s starting XV against Italy and has promised he will select his best side this week.
If there was a silver lining to the Italy defeat, it is that senior figures got the week off and will be coming in fit and fresh.
Captain James Slipper, David Porecki, Michael Hooper, Rob Valetini, Bernard Foley and Andrew Kellaway will be rushed back into the starting side.
Nic White appears the frontrunner to wear the No.9 jersey after Rennie rotated his halfbacks for the opening three games.
The Wallabies have still not confirmed whether they will bring in a replacement for centre Lalakai Foketi or fullback Tom Banks, the latter of which is expected to miss the Ireland match with an ankle injury.
The Italy loss did not go down well with Rugby Australia officials, while success-starved fans were left furious. A win against Ireland would go some way to assuaging their anger while also improving Australia’s world ranking. The men in gold have now slumped to ninth in the world – their equal worst position.
The Wallabies have had a habit this year of rebounding well after painful defeats. Ireland, who have won five of their last seven Tests against Australia since the 2011 World Cup, are expecting the Wallabies to come out firing.
“I’m sure they’ll be coming out all guns blazing next week,” said Ireland captain Tadhg Furlong. “They’re a very proud rugby nation.”
Ireland are expected to welcome back a number of influential figures, including Johnny Sexton, Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Hugo Keenan, while centre Bundee Aki is ready to go after serving a seven-week ban.
“Every game on the spring tour is tough,” said new Wallabies debutant Ben Donaldson, who missed a kick after full-time that would clinched a one-point victory.
“You’ve got to be on for the full 80 minutes and unfortunately, we were a bit patchy in a few moments.
“When you give the Italians a bit of go-forward and a bit of ball, they’re going to hurt you.”
Watch all the action from the Wallabies Spring Tour with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
