Rob Valetini of Australia (centre) walks off the pitch after his team's defeat to Italy in Udine, Italy, last Saturday. That result makes Ireland warmer favourites while also setting them up for more of a fall at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night. Farrell will appreciate as much as anyone that, more often than not, Australian sides are at their most dangerous when wounded and written off. Back in 2003, when hosting the tournament, they were given little or no hope of beating a star-studded All Blacks side which had beaten them 50-21 in Stadium Australia in Sydney en route to a Tri Nations clean sweep. Ireland’s Bundee Aki scores a try against Australia at the Aviva Stadium three years ago.

Source: The Irish Times November 11, 2025 09:40 UTC