Australia v Ireland: Teams
Australia captain Rocky Elsom is expecting an open, free-flowing contest when the Wallabies take on Ireland in Brisbane this weekend.
Last Updated: 25/06/10 3:30pm
Australia captain Rocky Elsom is expecting an open, free-flowing contest when the Wallabies take on Ireland in Brisbane this weekend.
Elsom said that his side had trained well since last weekend's 21-20 loss to England and that Saturday clash at Suncorp Stadium would be an entirely different affair.
"Our intensity was off," he said. "And in Test match rugby, we learned last week that it's never acceptable.
"I'd be surprised if the game (against Ireland) doesn't open up a bit; that's how they generally play against us. I think because we both have similar styles, it's easier for that to happen.
"Except for the game in 2006, I haven't really played against Ireland in a game that hasn't been free flowing and attacking.
Positive
"It suits us too. We're under no illusions that our attacking game is when we're strongest, so we'll be looking to get into that."
But, while Ireland head coach Declan Kidney agreed with Elsom's analysis, he insisted his side would do whatever necessary to get the result and would not be afraid to adjust their game to achieve it.
"I think all players go into a game with a positive mindset to try to play," he said. "And then it depends on the quality of ball that becomes available to the attacking side.
"I don't think it's any different to any other game. All 30 guys will go out and try to play and if there're spaces to play then do it
"If not, I'm sure with the quality of players out there they'll recognise the way the game's going and adjust accordingly."
Australia have made two changes to their line-up as a result of injuries to Digby Ioane (shoulder) and Will Genia (hand) during last week's clash with England.
Impressive
Adam Ashley-Cooper and Luke Burgess come into the starting XV, while Kurtley Beale and Josh Valentine have been promoted to the bench.
Kidney meanwhile has made a number of changes to his team, the most significant being that of fly-half Jonathan Sexton, who has muscled out Ronan O'Gara following his impressive performance against the New Zealand Maori.
Number eight Chris Henry makes his debut in place of the suspended Jamie Heaslip as past of a new-look back row.
Henry will line up alongside Niall Ronan and Shane Jennings in for the missing John Muldoon (broken arm) and David Wallace (paternity leave).
Tony Buckley will start at tighthead after John Hayes was completely omitted from the squad, while Paddy Wallace gets the nod ahead of Gordon D'Arcy at inside centre.
And Rhys Ruddock and Damien Varley could win their first caps in Brisbane after being named on the bench.
Australia: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 James Slipper, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Kurtley Beale.