It's a good thing that it rains a lot over here as Gerry Thornley reckons it will give Ireland a genuine advantage against Australia in Saturday's November Internationals.
Gerry and Keith Wood wee on Wednesday Night Rugby on Off The Ball to assess the lessons from the win over Samoa and to look ahead to the Wallabies match.
"It depends on the weather," said Thornley. "If it rains, it increases the chances of an Irish win. Matt Williams calls these Wallabies the "drought generation". We saw in Eden Park at the World Cup, that whenever they go to wet conditions, they struggle. Quade Cooper is a wonderfully inventive and creative out-half but he is not a particularly noted tactical kicking out-half to play conditions."
But if the conditions are good, Thornley believes a brilliant attacking game is in store, especially as the Wallabies must play exciting rugby to seduce the Australian public and due to Ewan McKenzie's own philosophy.
"If it dry, expect both teams to play a high tempo brand of rugby with emphasis on quick recycling of the ball and offloading where possible."
Wood is backing Ireland to win because of their "greater scrumaging pack", although he believes the "extravagantly talented" Cooper will be worth watching.
But Thornley did add that the high number of games Australia have played in recent months in comparison to Ireland, gives them an advantage.
In terms of Ireland's selection, Thornley believes Paddy Jackson, who impressed against Samoa, might not even make the bench once Jonny Sexton comes back because Ian Madigan can offer greater versatility and feels the rest that Sexton got last week will see him revitalized ahead of Saturday's game.
While many would like to see Sean O'Brien playing at 6 instead of 7, Wood is not expecting that to happen.
"I'd love to see Sean O'Brien at 6 but I don't think he will play at 6 anytime soon," he said, while complimenting Ireland's strength in depth among the forwards where Devin Toner has emerged as a serious option who has "improved out of sight."
Listen to the full Wednesday Night Rugby discussion via the podcast.
Main image: Quade Cooper ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
