Key events

TRY! Australia 5-0 Ireland (Pietsch, 4)

What a start! Poor line-out from Ireland meant they were on the back foot, but the ruck speed and timing of the passing from Australia was next level. Ikitau all over this with a wonderful line-break and continuity. with ball in hand. Then with men out to the right, Campbell joined the line, flung a pass wide where Pitcsch gathered on the half volley and dived over in the corner. Gordon can’t land the conversion but that’s a flying start for the home side.

4 min: Ireland lose their line-out as Bell come away with it. Both Australian centres combine before Sua’ali’i off-loads. They’re up inside the Irish 22 with an advantage. Three metres now with Nasser carrying..

2 min: Both teams exchange kicks as they feel each other out. Campbell makes a tidy catch to settle his nerves. Gordon rakes a lovely touch finder from his own 22 that dribbles out inside Irish territory.

Kick-off!

Anthems are done, the stage is set, the players are ready and the opening whistle sounds!

Ireland in green kick to the Wallabies in gold.

The Sydney Football Stadium looks stunning!

It’s sold out and has been for some time.

We keep hearing how rugby struggles to find elbow room at the table in Australian sport, but something is clearly working.

More good news for the southern hemisphere (and my prediction of a clean sweep this weekend).

Japan are 24-10 up against Italy afterwards after 50-odd minutes.

I know Japan is actually in the northern hemisphere (about 2,466 miles above the equator in fact) but spiritually, the Brave Blossoms are a southern hemisphere team.

I also want to see more from the other Wallaby centre, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i.

The lad exploded onto the scene but has lost a bit of lustre of late.

There’s no doubt he’s an athlete plucked from the top of the tree, with gifts that us mere mortals could only dream of.

But I want to see more. I want to see control, I want to see him show organisation on defence and provide a bit more link-up besides sensational off-loads.

I know I’m being greedy, and perhaps a little harsh on someone still learning the game having made the switch from league not too long ago, but I just know that if everything clicks his ceiling could be higher than the Burj Khalifa.

Really keen to see how the midfield battle plays out.

Len Ikitau is one of the elite ballers in the game and Stuart McClosky was the best centre of the Six Nations (imo).

The winner of their contest could sway the game.

Late change for Ireland

Sad news for Rob Baloucoune.

He’s ruled out of the match and will be replaced by Jimmy O’Brien on the right wing.

How about some stats:

• The Wallabies last beat Ireland in 2016 and have lost their last five, four of which were within seven points.

• They have been held under 20 points in five of their last six games, including their 18-9 win in Brisbane.

• The Wallabies hold an 11-5 record over Ireland in Australia

Angus Fontaine has focussed on Joe Schmidt’s farewell tour.

Thanks to Geoff who wrote in and corrected a mistake.

Of course Ireland’s coach is Andy Farrell, not Owen, as I incorrectly said in my preamble.

For those with an eye on the England v South Africa game later, I’ve got some news.

It’s not good if you’re English.

George Furbank has been ruled out of the game could miss the entire July tour because of appendicitis. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

In a crushing blow to a player poised to make his first Test appearance since November 2024, Furbank was taken to hospital in Johannesburg on Friday after experiencing painful symptoms.

Marcus Smith – who was supposed to start on the bench – appears the most likely replacement given Freddie Steward has been struggling with an ankle problem. Henry Slade could then assume the 23 jersey.

What’s your take on the Nations Championship?

Some of my colleagues are not too hot on the idea.

Here’s Michael Aylwin who cites player welfare as a reason why this whole thing is a bit much:

And Rob Kitson yearns for proper tours (like the one we’ll get later this year when New Zealand head to South Africa in what we should all call ‘The Ashes of rugby”):

Got to say, I’m with both of them.

Teams

A whopping 1,316 days have passed since Jock Campbell donned the gold and green of the Wallabies, but here he starts at 15.

He’s been in top form on the domestic scene for the Red and is part of a tasty back three with plenty of pace to burn.

James Slipper has come out of retirement and will start on the bench.

Starting art scrum-half and the second row, and joining Slipper on the bench, are a trio of debutants. They are Ryan Lonergan, Josh Canham and Lachlan Shaw.

Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson.

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachie Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright

Ireland have made four changes from the side that secured the Triple Crown back in March.

Caelan Dorris is injured so Dan Sheehan will skipper.

Hugo Keenan, Sam Prendergast, James Ryan, and Cian Prendergast all come into the starting XV with Jamie Osborne shifting to left wing for the first time.

A whole host of the boys from Leinster, fresh from their URC triumph, take up their usual spots in the group.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadgh Furlong, Joe MCCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki

I’m sticking with my prediction that this will be the game of the weekend.

Which means it’ll be one of the greatest games of all time (you’re welcome) as New Zealand just edged France in a proper humdinger!

Preamble

If the run towards the 2027 World Cup can be considered a 10,000m race - please just go with it - then we’re about to start the penultimate lap.

There’s still time to iron out a few kinks before the big event. For the Wallabies, this opening night of the Nations Championship carries an extra layer of meaning. Joe Schmidt is still in charge, but not for much longer. Les Kiss is waiting in the wings and will no doubt be watching closer than anyone, scribbling notes as he does so. The plan is for a clean handover rather than a fresh start after this mini tournament concludes.

Ireland, meanwhile, have not come to Sydney to provide useful opposition for someone else’s succession plan. They’re on a five-game winning streak against Australia and haven’t lost to them since 2016. After a Six Nations that gathered paced after a tough start, Andy Farrell will be eager to prove that his evolving team still belongs at the top table.

A mate of mine asked me yesterday how I thought each game over this inaugural weekend of the NC would go. Between all my predictions (and I think it could be a clean sweep for the southern hemisphere teams) I had a feeling that this one could be the best game of the weekend.

Whoever wins, let’s hope I’m right!

Kick-off at 20:10 AEST/11:10 BST.

Teams and other updates to come.