Ireland’s Call To Neutral Fans.
Eddie O’Sullivan and Keith Wood are calling on neutral rugby fans amongst Melbourne’s 3.5 million multicultural population to put on a green shirt and give Ireland their backing.
As an added means of combating the challenge at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome on Saturday (6.30 pm local time – 7.30 am Irish), Eddie O’Sullivan and Ireland captain Keith Wood have called on neutral rugby fans to don the green and support Ireland! As it is the record numbers of Irish sports fans to Australia’s second largest city.
O’Sullivan and Wood are calling on neutral rugby fans amongst Melbourne’s 3.5 million multicultural population to put on a green shirt and give Ireland their backing.
We need that extra support and I know we will get it outlines O’Sullivan.
The gauntlet is down to the boys to pull out another big one. If we can deliver another performance like we did against Australia, we could turn over the French.
Meanwhile, there was further encouragement for Ireland from former international Trevor Brennan who said that the feeling among his Toulouse clubmates is that Ireland can beat France.
“Ireland have had two tough competitive games going into this one which will stand to them against a French side who have had a fairly easy run so far.” Brennan said.
“So the general feeling here among the lads is that Ireland can win and that feeling is shared by Xavier Garbajosa who has just come back from Australia. Now that’s from a guy who has been part of the French squad and he’s basing his opinion on what he has seen from Ireland against Australia.
“Ireland are an all-round team at the moment.” Brennan continued, “Just looking at them myself there just doesn’t seem to be any weaknesses there at all. Now obviously with Denis (Hickie) out I don’t know who’s going to slot in there but they seem to have an abundance of players in every position.
“My own belief is that Ireland can beat them up front and in the backs. It’s great to see Brian getting over the line against Australia.”
Brennan went on to give his idea of who the French danger men are.
“From a kicking point of view, Fred Michalak. He normally plays nine for us but earlier Bernard Laporte picked him at ten and he just seems to have gone from strength to strength. He got the man of the match award against Scotland last week. He’s an out-half who can run, who can pass, who can kick. He’s an all-round player. A key man in terms of posing a threat.
“Then in the forwards you have to look at people like Fabien Pelous and then the number eight from Pau, Harinordoquy is one of their main line-out jumpers.
” France wouldn’t really have too many weaknesses either but Ireland won last time in the Six Nations and that gives them the psychological edge. Besides, if a few things had gone right for them they’d have beaten Australia. I really think they can win this one.”