Straight away, you’d say Ireland but in previous series, the Aussies have proved adept with the round ball.
Ireland’s players have used a round ball throughout their sporting careers whereas the visitors must adapt to it in a short period of time.
But even while jogging around Central Park in New York on a recent stopover, it was noticeable that the Australians had round balls in their possession.
Their vast improvements have been to the fore in the last two series in particular, with the Australians capable of kicking ‘around the corner’ efforts and hitting the target as frequently as the Irish.
Many of the Australian players have sampled International Rules fare in the past and with that experience under their belts, you’d expect them kick on again with the round ball.
Ireland have opted for more of a skill-based squad on this occasion, opting it seems for brain over brawn in an attempt to get one over the men from Down Under.
2. How much have Ireland learned from last year?
Australia take to the pitch at Patersons Stadium last year. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
What was pretty evident from last year’s one-off Test in Perth was how Australia had their tactics pretty much spot on.
The hosts were simply too good, running out 56-46 winners after building up a massive 35-7 advantage by half-time.
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Australia were content to sit deep, soak up whatever pressure came their way and hit Ireland on the break.
Whenever Ireland attempted to mount attacks from their half-back line, they were met with the sight of numerous Australian players funnelling back to provide extra cover.
That led to countless turnovers from the opposition and opportunities to launch lightning counter-attacks with Irish players pushed forward and out of position.
Ireland didn’t help themselves with some awful distribution and they’ll have to be much smarter in their approach this time.
3. Will we have a punch-up?
Let’s face it, many supporters flocking to Croke Park later this evening harbour hopes of an old fashioned schamozzle or an all-out bout of fisticuffs.
Clashes between the countries down through the years have often been feisty affairs but Australia crossed the line in 2006 when they exacted retribution on Graham Geraghty, who had been cited for a knee to the head of Lindsay Gilbee.
What followed in the second test at Croke Park was what can only be described as carnage.
A mass brawl broke out before throw-in and a tackle from Danyle Pearce knocked Geraghty out cold in the first half.
We’re all for huge levels of physicality and borderline confrontations but any further outbreaks of violence will lead to renewed calls for the extinction of a series that, in many people’s eyes, has been on borrowed time for many years.
4. How big an attendance will we have at Croke Park?
Tom Honan / INPHO
Tom Honan / INPHO / INPHO
…Which leads us nicely to how many punters will actually flock through the turnstiles at GAA HQ.
Current estimates seem to suggest that the ground won’t be half-full and with Hill 16 out of commission and capable of holding 10,000, that leaves somewhere in the region of 72,300 seats to be filled.
The weather might put paid to a decent walk-up crowd too but both the GAA and their AFL counterparts would surely be happy with somewhere in the region of 45,000.
That’s a far cry from the record attendance of 82,127 that descended on the Drumcondra venue back in 2006.
That was when the rivalry between Ireland and Australia was at its most intense and it really is a catch 22 situation when it boils down to it. Without the naked aggression that has characterised previous series, is the concept really good enough to entice punters to part with their hard-earned cash?
5 talking points ahead of Ireland and Australia's International Rules tussle
1. Who will handle the round ball better?
Straight away, you’d say Ireland but in previous series, the Aussies have proved adept with the round ball.
Ireland’s players have used a round ball throughout their sporting careers whereas the visitors must adapt to it in a short period of time.
But even while jogging around Central Park in New York on a recent stopover, it was noticeable that the Australians had round balls in their possession.
Their vast improvements have been to the fore in the last two series in particular, with the Australians capable of kicking ‘around the corner’ efforts and hitting the target as frequently as the Irish.
Many of the Australian players have sampled International Rules fare in the past and with that experience under their belts, you’d expect them kick on again with the round ball.
Ireland have opted for more of a skill-based squad on this occasion, opting it seems for brain over brawn in an attempt to get one over the men from Down Under.
2. How much have Ireland learned from last year?
What was pretty evident from last year’s one-off Test in Perth was how Australia had their tactics pretty much spot on.
The hosts were simply too good, running out 56-46 winners after building up a massive 35-7 advantage by half-time.
Australia were content to sit deep, soak up whatever pressure came their way and hit Ireland on the break.
Whenever Ireland attempted to mount attacks from their half-back line, they were met with the sight of numerous Australian players funnelling back to provide extra cover.
That led to countless turnovers from the opposition and opportunities to launch lightning counter-attacks with Irish players pushed forward and out of position.
Ireland didn’t help themselves with some awful distribution and they’ll have to be much smarter in their approach this time.
3. Will we have a punch-up?
Let’s face it, many supporters flocking to Croke Park later this evening harbour hopes of an old fashioned schamozzle or an all-out bout of fisticuffs.
Clashes between the countries down through the years have often been feisty affairs but Australia crossed the line in 2006 when they exacted retribution on Graham Geraghty, who had been cited for a knee to the head of Lindsay Gilbee.
What followed in the second test at Croke Park was what can only be described as carnage.
A mass brawl broke out before throw-in and a tackle from Danyle Pearce knocked Geraghty out cold in the first half.
We’re all for huge levels of physicality and borderline confrontations but any further outbreaks of violence will lead to renewed calls for the extinction of a series that, in many people’s eyes, has been on borrowed time for many years.
4. How big an attendance will we have at Croke Park?
…Which leads us nicely to how many punters will actually flock through the turnstiles at GAA HQ.
Current estimates seem to suggest that the ground won’t be half-full and with Hill 16 out of commission and capable of holding 10,000, that leaves somewhere in the region of 72,300 seats to be filled.
The weather might put paid to a decent walk-up crowd too but both the GAA and their AFL counterparts would surely be happy with somewhere in the region of 45,000.
That’s a far cry from the record attendance of 82,127 that descended on the Drumcondra venue back in 2006.
That was when the rivalry between Ireland and Australia was at its most intense and it really is a catch 22 situation when it boils down to it. Without the naked aggression that has characterised previous series, is the concept really good enough to entice punters to part with their hard-earned cash?
5. So who’ll win it?
Australia are 4-11 favourites with the bookmakers to retain the Cormac McAnallen Cup.
If you fancy Ireland to take back the silverware, Joe Kernan’s men are on offer at 15-8.
Australia have assembled a powerful looking squad including 14 players who were involved in Perth last year.
Hawthorn stars Sam Mitchell and Jarryd Roughead are key players and five-time All Australian Nick Riewoldt is another to keep an eye out for.
The All Australian awards are our version of the Allstars and the captain of that selection, Robert Murphy, has made the trip.
But Kernan has pieced together a strong Ireland squad, featuring 9 players who were recently honoured with GAA/GPA Allstars.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s International Rules Test at Croke Park
Hill 16 off limits for International Rules spectators as GAA honour Bloody Sunday victims
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