The Irish final gained 12 consecutive home Tests between November 2016 and November 2018.
Ireland vs Scotland on 22 September 2019 on the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Rugby World Cup/Twitter
DUBLIN, IRELAND – Ireland host Australia of their remaining worldwide of the yr bidding for a record-equalling twelfth successive home Test success on Saturday and frank their standing because the top-ranked rugby group on the planet.
The Irish final gained 12 consecutive home Tests between November 2016 and November 2018.
They will fancy their possibilities of matching that towards an Australian facet smarting from a historic defeat by Italy final weekend — albeit a a lot modified Wallabies beginning XV from that sport.
AFP Sport picks out three key issues forward of the conflict:
AGELESS SEXTON KEY TO IRELAND
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will likely be mighty relieved the group’s talisman Johnny Sexton says he’s match after recovering from a lifeless leg he suffered within the 19-16 win over world champions South Africa earlier this month.
He could also be 37 however Sexton stays essential to Irish hopes of each Six Nations and World Cup success. Had he not been match, and with deputy Joey Carbery concussed, Farrell would have had a significant headache for the Wallabies match.
Such has been Sexton’s kind in 2022 that he has been nominated for World Player of the Year — an accolade he gained in 2018.
However, as is at all times the case with the exhausting taskmaster — and he’s his personal fiercest critic — he views profitable Saturday’s match as being extra vital.
“It’s not something you go searching for but to be recognised in that area is very special,” he mentioned.
“I would prefer a win and to play well on Saturday than win that, because ultimately at the end of the day it’s opinion.”
HANSEN: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
Mack Hansen should be studying the Irish nationwide anthem however the Australia-born wing has rapidly established himself as a key part of Andy Farrell’s facet.
The 24-year-old — whose Irish-born mom Diana moved along with her mother and father to Australia when she was seven — makes his third successive begin within the Autumn Nations Series having scored tries towards each South Africa and Fiji.
Hard to miss on the pitch — his lengthy flowing locks rising from a scrum cap — his eye-catching performances within the Six Nations and the historic 2-1 sequence win in New Zealand earned him a nomination for world breakthrough participant of the yr earlier this week.
Hardly shocking that the Connacht star — who performed 5 instances for Australia Under 20s — has no regrets over opting to commit himself to Ireland.
“I guess you could think what would have been with anything, so no, the decision to play for Ireland has been the best decision of my career and my life,” he mentioned earlier this week.
“I’m loving it over here and enjoying it.”
Hansen’s mom nonetheless has household dwelling in County Cork and he says a few them will likely be within the stands — although finest maybe if they do not watch his lips throughout the anthem.
“I’m still trying to learn the Irish one. If the camera can get to me at the start, I sing from the start and then just kind of fade away at the end,” he mentioned.
RENNIE HOPES TO DIGEST A WIN
Australia coach Dave Rennie is a person beneath stress, with many, like former Wallaby star Stirling Mortlock, already dismissing their possibilities of profitable subsequent yr’s World Cup.
With a document of simply 4 wins in 12 Tests this yr a head coach’s place can be in danger.
However, with lower than a yr to go till the World Cup, the Australian rugby bosses most likely really feel they’ve to follow the 58-year-old New Zealander.
Rennie — who changed Michael Cheika within the sizzling seat after the 2019 World Cup — may quieten the rumblings about him with a win towards Ireland.
With the likes of the skilled Bernard Foley and Nic White returning at fly-half and scrum-half respectively, Rennie will likely be anticipating a much better exhibiting towards the world’s primary ranked facet.
“I know we’ve got a very determined squad, we want to make a statement this weekend,” mentioned Rennie.