Ireland's hopes of winning the test series in Australia was dented last weekend after an 18-9 defeat.
Keith Wood and Andy Dunne joined Joe on Wednesday Night Rugby to look at the key factors in the loss and project forward to the second test.
"I thought the game was an incredible test. I have a lingering worry about our guys. They are very tired. We’ve had huge success in Ireland. When you're in them finals at the end, you’re playing in every game. Some of the guys looked absolutely wrecked. It makes an awful lot of sense the team he picked last week with a game this week. I think this is proper preparation for a World Cup. Yes it’s important we go and win a test but it’s more important to build a big and strong squad for the World Cup. This is a pretty cracking Irish team," explained Keith Wood.
Andy Dunne spoke about Joey Carbery who started at 10 last Saturday.
He said: "My concern is an ongoing thing. I’m delighted he’s got an opportunity, it’s not acceptable for him to be his natural player. He ought to be a ready made game manager in the mould of Johnny Sexton. I think he can become a game manager. Joey may learn to manage a game his way by being a greater threat as a runner. There’s not many rugby players out there who can do what he can do. I didn't like him playing away from the game line. At 22, you’re gonna retreat a bit and he was no longer much of a threat. I just think he has got potential to be a superb 10 in a different way. Why does everyone have to be like Johnny?
Meanwhile, Keith also had his say about Carbery.
"I would want my 10 to get into the game and do things right and when the opportunity arises he can do things right. Joey still hasn’t played a huge amount of games at 10 and that makes it difficult for him. I would’ve been happy with him. 12 and 13 didn’t play as well as they normally can. It can’t just be a young 10 that’s making all the calls. It’s stunning the amount of rugby at 10 he’s played in the last 12 months. I think Joey and Joe Schmidt would be happy with a 7/10. I would tip us for a win this week. It’s a different looking Irish team who knows how to win," he said.
Stephen Kierans
