DOWN UNDER DIARY
ORIGIN FEVER GRIPS OZ
THE FIFA World Cup is looming and Ireland have touched down for a three-Test series, but there is only one show in town this week and that’s State of Origin.
The annual three-match rugby league battle between Queensland and New South Wales kicks off in Melbourne this morning and the build-up is dominating Australian media coverage.
One fan was so excited he painted ‘Go QLD!’ on cattle at a farm not far from Ireland’s team hotel in support of the Maroons.
The team’s base is in Gold Coast, Queensland and locals are concerned that their more than a decade’s worth of dominance is in jeopardy due to a raft of retirements and injuries.
CAMPESE BACKS HEIR BANKS
THERE is a fresh look to Michael Cheika’s Wallaby squad and one of the new faces, Tom Banks, has been earning rave reviews for his performances in Super Rugby.
The Brumbies flier could make his debut on the wing against Ireland on Saturday and has been given a ringing endorsement from the one-time ‘”Wizard of Oz” David Campese.
“Australian rugby needs guys with flair and Banks is one of those guys who can create something out of nothing for you because he backs himself,” the legendary former winger said.
IRELAND GETTING ROYAL TREATMENT
THE touring squad are staying in the swanky surrounds of the Royal Pines Resort and it seems to be suiting them just fine.
The venue may be familiar to golf fans as it as hosted the last five Australian PGA Championships and, like their usual base at Carton House, it has on-site pitches to allow the squad train without leaving the complex.
The course is so appealing, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt even took a short break from preparing for the Test series to play a few holes with other members of the Irish management and by all accounts he wasn’t bad.
Quote of the day
“I’ve known Joe long enough that I can almost predict when he’s going to call me, so I’ll email or text him first. I try and do that at 4am to pay him back for some of the emails he’s sent me at that time”
— Scrum coach Greg Feek has been having fun in Japan
Number of the day
6 Survivors from the last meeting between the Wallabies and Ireland in Australia, a 22-15 defeat for the tourists in Brisbane. Johnny Sexton, Seán Cronin, Cian Healy and Rob Kearney started for Declan Kidney’s team, while Kurtley Beale and David Pocock featured for the hosts.