Ex-Wallabies’ bold predictions for ‘very beatable’ Ireland’s next Test

Argentina made history during The Rugby Championship as they recorded wins over all three opposing teams for the first time. It was a special achievement, and they may have another reason to celebrate an incredible year after another blockbuster Test this weekend.

Former Wallabies Cameron Shepherd and Tim Horan have both predicted Argentina to upset Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Los Pumas have lost the last three Tests between the sides, with their last win coming at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Ireland were on the wrong side of an annihilation that October evening in Cardiff as they went down 43-20 in the quarter-finals. While their quarter-final curse continued to strike at the next two World Cups, the Irish have still emerged as one of the leading nations in the sport.

This time last week, Ireland were on top of World Rugby’s rankings, but they’ve since dropped back to third following a surprise 23-13 loss to New Zealand. Damian McKenzie and Will Jordan both got on the scoresheet as the All Blacks recorded a memorable win.

Shepherd has tipped the Southern Hemisphere’s dominance to continue up north, which spells more bad news for the Irish. The men in green will be desperate to bounce back in front of a packed house at the Aviva, but Argentina are by no means an easy team to beat.

“I think so, I think so. I think Argentina’s going to be very, very competitive against Ireland,” Shepherd said on Stan Sports’ Rugby Heaven. “I thought Ireland were disappointing. They need to really turn up this weekend.

“I don’t think the All Blacks did anything too special, they just moved the ball very well at depth into space, attacked them on the edge and that up-and-in defence that Ireland has been using.

“They showed they’re very beatable, even in Ireland.”

Ireland opened the scoring against New Zealand in the seventh minute, with flyhalf Jack Crowley converting an early penalty goal. But it was all the visitors from there as McKenzie slotted three unanswered penalties of his own, but then the match’s momentum swung.

Jordie Barrett was sent to the sin bin following a high shot on Garry Ringrose. Ireland scored the next 10 points without reply, which included a seemingly decisive score to backrower Josh van der Flier about two minutes into the second half.

But it was all one-way traffic from there as McKenzie slotted another three penalty goals, Jordan crossed for another try against Ireland, and the All Blacks’ defensive wall stood tall. It was a historic night as New Zealand registered their first win over Ireland in Dublin since 2016.

Also in the Autumn Nations Series, Argentina took on Italy at Stadio Friuli and left with a statement win on the road. The visitors scored the first 17 points of the contest before a yellow card to Juan Martin Gonzalez brought the Alluri back into the contest.

Head-to-Head

Last 4 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

33

16

First try wins

75%

Home team wins

100%

Italy scored 13 unanswered points to make a game of it, but once Argentina got going again there was no stopping them. They added 17 points to their score in as many minutes, and ended up scoring another two tries later in the Test to round out a stunning 50-18 win.

Following wins over the All Blacks in New Zealand, a record win over the Wallabies in Santa Fe, and a one-point win over the world champion Springboks, Los Pumas have truly emerged as a force to be reckoned with – and they’ve got Ireland up next.

“This is their big one. I reckon Argentina, they’ve set themselves up their whole tour for this match and I think there is an upset coming here,” Horan explained.

“The way that Argentina, their forward pack and their backrow, they’re bigger bodies than Ireland.

“Ireland would have been really disappointed with the amount of penalties they gave away against the All Blacks last weekend.”