Ireland vs Australia Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024 Autumn Internationals
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Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt goes head-to-head with his former assistant Andy Farrell as Ireland and Australia sign off their Autumn Nations Series at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Start date/time: Saturday 30th November, 2024, UK – 3:10pm / US ET – 10:10am / US PT – 7:10am
How to watch on tv: UK – TNT Sports / US – Peacock
How to watch online: UK – discovery+_ / US – Peacock
Ireland Form: Confidence restored
After losing their first Autumn Nations Series contest against New Zealand at the beginning of the month, Ireland have responded well with contrasting victories over Argentina and Fiji in recent weeks.
The commanding 52-17 victory against Fiji last weekend will have been particularly pleasing to head coach Andy Farrell, who will be determined to sign off their strong year with victory over one of the Southern Hemisphere powerhouses.
Last Five: LWLWW
Australia form: Positive signs but work still to do
It has been very much a transition year for Australia, who endured a torrid Rugby Championship campaign where they picked up the wooden spoon, but Joe Schmidt’s men have given a better account of themselves in the Autumn Nations Series with high-scoring victories over both England and Wales.
However, the Wallabies suffered a 27-13 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend, ending their hopes of claiming a clean sweep of wins against the British nations.
Last Five: LLWWL
Ireland Team News: Sam Prendergast in ahead of Jack Crowley
Squad: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O'Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O'Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Garry Ringrose
Australia Team News: Six changes
Squad: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Harry Potter
Ireland vs Australia Prediction
Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt goes head-to-head with his former assistant Andy Farrell as Ireland and Australia sign off their respective Autumn Nations Series campaigns at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Although the Wallabies have certainly made some progress since their forgettable showing in the Rugby Championship, you have to say that they are not at the level of Ireland yet, who will finish 2024 as the number two-ranked nation in the world behind South Africa.
Given that Scotland managed to beat Australia last week, it’s a reasonable assumption that Ireland will do the same here, and it could be by an even greater margin of victory.
Ireland vs Australia Tip: Ireland to win with -15 handicap
