Ireland backs set to cause mayhem for Wallabies in Dublin rugby showdown

By Bret Harris
November 14, 2009

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkUXeNDJPDs&feature=related"]YouTube- Brian O'Driscoll Try Against Austrailia[/ame]
Brian O'Driscoll at his best a some years ago


Green"]The Wallabies will face a ferocious contest at the breakdown against Ireland in Dublin on Monday (EDT), but the threat will not come from the forwards.

It is the Irish backs that Australia have to be concerned about at the tackle contest.

When Australian coach Michael Cheika arrived in Dublin a couple of years ago to guide Irish province Leinster, he placed an enormous emphasis on backs competing at the ruck and maul as hard as forwards.

It was one of the features of Leinster's European Cup victory last season and has become ingrained in their play. A lot of Ireland's Test backline, including the world-class midfield combination of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy, play for Leinster, although D'Arcy will not play on Monday.

O'Driscoll's commitment to attacking the breakdown is seen when he is playing for Leinster, Ireland or the British and Irish Lions.

It is the very thing the Wallabies have been unable to cope with when playing the All Blacks, who have won the past seven Tests between the two countries.

Notwithstanding the fact the All Blacks boast the best openside flanker in the world in Richie McCaw, New Zealand's backs train to compete at the breakdown like loose forwards and that has been a key point of difference.

The All Blacks have been able to dominate the breakdown and the Irish can do the same.

Australia captain and blindside flanker Rocky Elsom will be acutely aware of the Ireland tactic, having inspired Leinster to its European Cup triumph.

But it is one thing to know about it, another to combat it.

The Wallabies' attack was more fluent in their 18-9 win against England at Twickenham last Sunday, but the England backs do not compete at the breakdown the way the All Blacks and Ireland do.

The Australia scrum should hold up against Ireland, but the Wallabies are not guaranteed a source of quality possession from the lineout, which means they must dominate the breakdown if they are to win the game.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5UGFTLJ6-Y&NR=1"]YouTube- O'Driscoll classic try vs Wasps[/ame]




http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html