Australia and Ireland prepare to lock horns – analysis and forecast
Let's dive into the thrilling conclusion of the 2024 rugby season as Ireland and the Wallabies square off in Dublin on Saturday (17:10 SA time). This match, my friends, is set to be a rollercoaster ride, according to our man Quintin van Jaarsveld.
Ireland kicked off the year on a high, clinching the Six Nations title before locking horns with the back-to-back world champion Springboks in South Africa. Their record in 2024 stands at 7-3, with losses to England, South Africa, and New Zealand.
After losing the world No. 1 ranking to the Boks following their surprised Autumn Nations Series-opening defeat to New Zealand, they bounced back with successive wins over Argentina and Fiji. However, they haven't quite recaptured the form that propelled them to Six Nations glory.
The modern Irish side are known for their intellect, but they've been too slick for their own good in the Autumn Nations Series, prioritizing finesse and nuance over grit and physicality. Their grittiest performance yet was against the Springboks in Durban in July. With Scotland's physical dominance over the Wallabies last Sunday, it might be a good idea for Ireland to channel their inner brutality this weekend.
Joe Schmidt, former Ireland coach, is now at the helm of the Wallabies. His first season has been a challenge, with a 4-6 record and a last-place finish in the Rugby Championship. They've shown significant improvement in the Autumn Nations Series, beating England 42-37 and thumping Wales 52-20. However, their Grand Slam dreams were dashed at Murrayfield, where Scotland handed them a 27-13 defeat.
The Wallabies put up their best offensive performance of the season in the games against England and Wales, scoring 40+ points in back-to-back Tests for the first time in 13 years. Unfortunately, they failed to display that attacking spark against Scotland, and their defensive troubles resurfaced, with more than 30 missed tackles.
Despite ahorror week of preparation and late injuries to Matt Faessler and Jeremy Williams, the Wallabies' effort levels could have been better. The team's motivation for the season-ender might be questionable, as their Grand Slam hopes have been shattered. Yet, the outcome of this match could impact the excitement surrounding the British & Irish Lions' tour Down Under next year.
In other words, the rugby world needs the Wallabies to put up a fight on Saturday, but Scotland has shown that the Aussies have plenty of room for improvement. With a six-day turnaround, Ireland seems primed for a comfortable win.
*Quintin van Jaarsveld’s Prediction:* Ireland by 15.
*Suggested Bet:* Australia +16.5 at 1.83.
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- NextAustralia betting tips Editor's Choice Ireland Wales Quintin van JaarsveldQuintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. He has over 15 years of experience as a sports writer, previously working as the sports editor, Outstanding Journalist of the Year, deputy editor, and senior staff writer at various publications, including The Fever Media Group, eHowzit, SARugby.com, and Rugby365.com.
- Quintin van Jaarsveld's Prediction: Ireland by 15.
- With Ireland standing at 7-3 in the 2024 rugby season and the Wallabies, now coached by Joe Schmidt, having a 4-6 record, the final match between them in Dublin is expected to be a thrilling contest.
- Despite their impressive performance during the Six Nations, the modern Irish side has struggled to recapture their form in the Autumn Nations Series, concentrating too much on finesse and nuance rather than grit and physicality.
- The Wallabies have shown notable improvement in their offensive play in the Autumn Nations Series, but their defensive struggles have resurfaced, especially against Scotland.
- Despite a challenging preparation and injuries to key players, the Wallabies are expected to put up a fight, as their performances in the games against England and Wales indicate an attacking potential that has been missing against Scotland.
- The outcome of this match could significantly impact the excitement surrounding the British & Irish Lions' tour of Australia next year, making it a crucial game for European leagues, including the premier-league. Thus, it's essential for the Wallabies to show improvement in their defense and channel their inner brutality to keep the rugby world on the edge of their seats.
