Ireland coach Declan Kidney has named an unchanged team to play Wales in a Rugby World Cup quarter final match with hooker Rory Best hvaing to undergo a late fitness test.
Best’s participation in the remainder of the tournament seemed to be in doubt after he damaged his right shoulder and had to be replaced in last weekend’s 36-6 final pool win over Italy.
But while Sean Cronin is on standby to step into the front row for the game in Wellington, Kidney has not given up hope that Best could be fit with further treatment.
“You always have to take each day as it comes and he’s made nothing but progress since Sunday,” Kidney said Wednesday.
Kidney even picked the same reserves, although Damien Varley will take Cronin’s place on the bench if Best cannot play.
Varley only made it into the squad as an injury replacement for Jerry Flannery and could be joined in the 30-man group by Michael Sherry, who has been drafted in as unofficial cover so he is available for immediate confirmation should Best fail to recover.
Ronan O’Gara keeps his place ahead of Jonathan Sexton but Kidney said he had not agonized over the identity of his flyhalf.
“You would always go through a team one by one and give each position the same consideration,” Kidney said.
The teams have an even record in World Cup meetings, with one win apiece.
Having won its pool ahead of Tri-Nations champion Australia, Ireland is arguably favorite for the match but Ireland’s players are not looking too far ahead.
“Why would you even think about the final?” captain Brian O’Driscoll said. “There’s two more games to go. We’re only thinking about the quarterfinal.”
Ireland:
Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Stephen Ferris, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mike Ross, Rory Best, Cian Healy.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble.
Wales to win this one! The difference to be George (watsisface) the winger and Warburton no 7 and Captain.
This is a very close game hehehe I really cant call it, suppose it will come down to who the ball jumps for on the day!!!
I think Ireland will win this one.
They have a squad full of players from Munster and Leinster whon have won something like 4 out of the last Heineken cups, they know how to win knock out matches, and wales doesn’t.
Warburton as a captain is in the same boat as McCaw 4 years ago, not enough experience on the big satge and could make wrong decisions at crucial moment sin the game.
Talent wise the two teams are well matched.
It will be the experience and top two inches of Ireland that will win this one.
Fark, I am unsure as to which one to pick for this game…
… and I have my No 1 Bru Ranking to defend….
I initially thought Wales… like Sammajoor 4man said with George North and Sam Warburton, it might make a huge difference…. then I started getting swayed by the pundits who seem to favour Ireland, with Brian O’Dricoll in their midst…
Now I’m unsure….
GBS, it is simple, Ireland managed to beat australia, a match that should have been a bridge too far.
Wales will not have won that match, as they couldn’t beat and out of form rusty SA team.
Big match temperament
5 @ biltongbek:
I’m not so sure….
Well let’s put it this way… out of the 6 Nations sides, both Wales and Ireland seem by far the better sides at the moment.
It will be touch and go, I do not predict big scores either, both sides have shown bloody good defensive structures and to a large extent good dicipline as well.
GBS, just remember Ireland has won 14 of the 19 matches in the pro era.
7 @ biltongbek:
True…
… but I’m still unsure…
Hehehe
I give Ireland the edge in this match. They seem a far stronger team in the 6 nations era. It’s of course possible that Wales can pull it off, but Ireland can now be regarded in the same breath as England and France. They are capable of mixing it with the big boys while Wales are not there yet.
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