TEST MATCH RUGBY: Ireland out to do Damage

26.06.2010
Ireland v Australia in Brisbane

Venue: Suncorp Stadium

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

Previews
Ireland will be looking to cause an upset against an Australian side struggling to find rhythm. Both teams come into this test match with disappointing recent results. For Ireland they will want to salvage something from a less than convincing southern tour whilst Australia were stunned by their 20-21 loss to England last weekend.

Milestone-Ronan O'Gara could earn his 100th test for Ireland if he comes off the bench.

Last Five Encounters
15.11.2009 Drawn 20-20 in Dublin
14.06.2008 Australia 18-12 in Melbourne
19.11.2006 Ireland 21-6 in Dublin
24.06.2006 Australia 37-15 in Perth
19.11.2005 Australia 30-14 in Dublin

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Ireland 4th, Australia 8th
IRB Rankings-Australia 4th (83.83), Ireland 5th (82.61)

Prediction: Australia by 3 points

Teams

Ireland
R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys, Wales), B O'Driscoll, Capt (Leinster), P Wallace (Ulster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), T.O'Leary (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), S Cronin (Connacht), T Buckley (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), N Ronan (Munster), S Jennings (Leinster), C Henry (Ulster).
Replacements: D Varley (Munster), T Court (Ulster), Tuohy (Ulster), R Ruddock (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), G Murphy (Leicester, England).
Head Coach: Declan Kidney

Australia
J O'Connor (WA Western Force), D Mitchell (NSW Waratahs), R Horne (NSW Waratahs), M Giteau (ACT Brumbies), A Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies), Q Cooper (Queensland Reds), L Burgess (NSW Waratahs), R Brown (WA Western Force), D Pocock (WA Western Force), R Elsom (ACT Brumbies), M Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), D Mumm (NSW Waratahs), S Ma'afu (ACT Brumbies), S Faingaa (Queensland Reds), B Daley (Queensland Reds).
Replacements: H Edmonds (ACT Brumbies), J Slipper (Queensland Reds), M Chapman (ACT Brumbies), M Hodgson (WA Western Force), J Valentine (ACT Brumbies), B Barnes (NSW Waratahs), K Beale (NSW Waratahs).
Head Coach: Robbie Deans