What many hope will be a new era in Irish Rugby gets
underway this evening with Joe Schmidt’s first game – and it’s not an easy one.
The much loved Samoa have played a paltry test against top 10 ranked opposition
in the last 10 years but are no easy ride and present a stiff challenge to
sharpen up the Celts before Australia and New Zealand visit Dublin.
The huge under achievement of the Declan Kidney era – where
the sky was the limit after their epic Grand Slam triumph with their clubs
dominating Europe left right and centre – finally saw a change at the top with
the appointment everyone was clambering for in Leinster’s Joe Schmidt, twice a
winner of the Heineken Cup in recent times (along with a Pro 12 and Challenge
Cup for good measure) and a man who has worked with many of Ireland’s top
starters for the last three years.
The desperately poor 6 Nations where they could do no better
than fifth was always likely to see Kidney’s head roll but that had much more
to do with the freakish amount of injuries that they had to contend with
following their win over Wales – arguably the performance of the Championship.
However with that behind them they now come with a healthy and in form squad
that has plenty of potential looking forward to 2015.
Speaking of Samoa, they’re without plenty of their best men
– Allesna Tuilagi Gavin Williams, David Lemi, Census Johnstone, Dan Leo and
Marie Fa’asavalu are all absent today – but they can still field an extremely
balance sided wit is an ideal starting point for Ireland’s autumn. There are no
worries for their pack with mobile and brutal backrowers James Johnston, Joe
Teokri, and Jack Lam a challenge for Ireland’s strongest area – while the Leota
– Psis axis is going to test even the 200 cap pairing of D’Arcy and O’Driscoll
to the limit defensively.
Kahn Fotuali’s had to play second fiddle at times to a
rejuvenated Lee Dickson but is still one of the world’s premier 9’s and needs
no introduction here as a threat with Tusi Pisi.
Some might say that this isn’t Joe Schmidt’s strongest side,
and they’d be right to do so, but there’s no reason to assume all involved
don’t deserve their places. The legendary centre pairing of O’Driscoll and
D’Arcy remains in place while Fergus McFadden gets his chance, and Paddy
Jackson’s superb form means he’s rewarded with an international start ahead of
Ian Madigan. However the biggest intrigue comes with Ulster powerhouse Chris
Henry getting the openside spot after his province’s fantastic start to the
season. His matchup against Jack Lam is going to be a stern test of his
international credentials.
Ireland’s home advantage gives them a 9 point start in the
eyes of most bookmakers but Samoa have been mixing it with the world elite for
a long time now and to overturned Wales last year while pushing France the closest
of any visitors last Autumn to boot, and they can stay within 12 points at the
least.
Advice
1 pt Ireland to win by 1-12 points (13/8 Ladbrokes)
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