Ireland out to make ‘massive statement’ with triumph Down Under
>> SYDNEY: Ireland will bid for a prestigious southern hemisphere series win against Australia today to underline their burgeoning status just over a year ahead of the World Cup.
The Six Nations champions, who trail only world title-holders New Zealand in the international standings, haven’t won a series in Australia since they swept a two-Test tour in 1979.
But in a sign of their growing clout, Joe Schmidt’s team shape as favourites for the decider in Sydney after they won last week in Melbourne, levelling the series at 1-1 and ending their 39-year away win drought against Australia.
“I guess it offers an opportunity, away from home, to play for something special; something that hasn’t been done in 39 years,” said forwards coach Simon Easterby.
“To win a Test series in the southern hemisphere is a difficult thing to do.
“We know, we found that out in South Africa when we were 1-0 up and we came away with a 2-1 loss [in 2016]. These experiences are great for what will hopefully happen in 15-16 months’ time [at the World Cup].”
Centre Robbie Henshaw says Ireland can send out a signal to the rugby world by claiming the silverware in Australia, where they had lost 11 straight Tests until last week’s 26-21 win.
“It would be a massive statement for us, we’re currently ranked second in the world and we have to go out there and show the world why we’re second,” Henshaw said.
“We have a great chance for us to come here and create history and win a series.
“Australia are going to come out firing, there’s definitely going to be a massive reaction to how they went last week and we have to match that.”