After a convincing victory against South Africa last weekend, Ireland will be full of confidence when they take on Fiji in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland were immense against South Africa. While their opponents are traditionally known for dominating collisions and set-pieces, the Irish tore the Boks to shreds in those facets of play.
Joe Schmidt’s men totally owned the breakdown area, general collisions, lineouts and scrums. They will be without their world-class half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton who are also in red-hot form at the moment. Murray and Sexton totally bamboozled the Boks with their accurate out-of-hand kicks, constantly pinning them back in their own half.
They also ran proceedings well with ball in hand. Sexton in particular was at the heart of most of the Irish attacks that resulted in their four tries and kept the scoreboard ticking with his goal-kicking. Joey Carbery and Kieran Marmion enter the frame at 10 and nine respectively and have some large boots to fill.
Fiji faced Italy last weekend and came off second best to the Azzurri in Catania. The Pacific islanders gave away far too many penalties and also had a hard time with the Italian forwards’ efforts. To match the prowess of Ireland’s pack, Fiji will need to drastically improve in that area. They also cannot afford the same level of ill-discipline, as Ireland will punish them with the distance they gain from their out-of-hand kicks as well as their goalkicking.
Fiji may fancy their chances against a weakened Irish outfit, however, after Schmidt rested several of his first-choice players for this fixture. The visitors have numerous individuals that can cause the Irish defenders some serious problems, particularly with their free-flowing style of play which they usually stick to.
Ireland have taken a risk with the side they have selected. While their first team may have dismantled the Boks, they may be taking this Fijian side less seriously than they should.
But if Ireland keep things tight on defence, dominate collisions and set-pieces and Carbery and Marmion fill the void of Sexton and Murray with accurate tactical and goalkicking and open play dictation, they should not have a problem defeating their opponents.
Players to watch:
For Ireland: Devin Toner will need to step up in this clash. He will be expected to use his brunt and experience to enhance his enforcer role and lead the way in dominating the Fijian pack in set-pieces and in open play. His performance will have a massive role for the morale of this inexperienced Irish side.
For Fiji: Nemani Nadolo is a rugby superstar. He returns to the matchday squad and his reputation alone will strike fear into any defender on Earth. His size, pace and surprisingly impressive offloading skills may cause some serious problems for an Irish defensive unit that has not been truly tested this month.
Head-to-head: Ben Volavola and Joey Carbery are both non-traditional fly-halves. They enjoy running with the ball and both possess the creativity and vision to create space for men around them or for themselves. Both men will be critical for their sides who are both expected to play an exciting brand of rugby, but their battle for goal-kicking ascendency may be more critical in this Test.
Previous results:
2009: Ireland won 41-6 in Dublin
2002: Ireland won 64-17 in Dublin
1995: Ireland won 44-8 in Dublin
Prediction: Fiji may cause the Irish a few problems with their running style and explosive individuals, but Ireland should tactically outclass their opponents. Ireland to win by 20.
The teams:
Ireland: 15 Andrew Conway, 14 Darren Sweetnam, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Rhys Ruddock (c), 5 Devin Toner, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Andrew Porter, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jack McGrath
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Robbie Henshaw
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Jale Vatabua, 12 Levani Botia, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Henry Senioli, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Waqaniboruto, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 1 Campese Ma’afu
Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Kalivati Tawake, 19 Sikeli Nabou, 20 Peceli Yato/Semi Kunatani, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 23 Vereniki Goneva
Date: Saturday, November 18
Venue: Aviva Stadium
Kick-Off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Alex Ruiz (France)
Television match official: David Grashoff (England)
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