Ireland v Australia: Sean O’Brien the key danger to Wallabies’ hopes

Ireland are missing some key players but possess the one man who can cruel Australia’s Grand Slam hopes.

Ireland’s Sean O'Brien carries the ball up to the All Blacks defence in Dublin last weekend.

They’ve lost superstar playmaker Jonny Sexton and centre Robbie Henshaw, and three other key players remain in doubt, but Ireland still possess one player who can cruel Australia’s Grand Slam ambitions.

Flanker Sean O’Brien is Ireland’s answer to David Pocock, a breakdown menace and power runner who could single-handedly destroy Australia’s plans of claiming a Grand Slam if allowed to dominate play.

The 29-year-old produced an epic shift in last weekend’s 21-9 loss to the All Blacks, producing a number of turnovers, crunching tackles and strong runs to be the hosts’ best player.

Wallabies fans will also remember O’Brien’s monumental impact in Ireland’s shock 15-6 win over Australia in the pool stages of the 2011 World Cup, and rival No 7 Michael Hooper is expecting a tough challenge this weekend at Lansdowne Road.

“Very impressive player, the times I’ve played him he’s been great,” Hooper said.

“Starting this week, we’ll be looking at what he’s been doing in the past few games in more depth and seeing where we can potentially benefit and see where he could hurt us.

“There’s no secret we want to play fast ball. With players who are good on the ball it’s a team effort in making sure they’re not a nuisance to your attack.

“It’s a 1-to-15 job and has been a focus for us this whole year. It’s about doing what we do really well and then we allow those guys to not have a huge effect on our game.”

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is well aware of the danger of O’Brien, a player he once tried to sign when he was a club coach in France. While O’Brien has been battling injuries in the past two seasons, Cheika described the backrower as a champion thoroughbred.

“He’s doing all right, he’s a good lad,” Cheika said. “I won’t lie about it — I tried to get him to go to Stade Francais when I went there. I thought he was a quality player. I feel for him a bit because he’s been hampered by injury over the years. But if he was a racehorse first from a gallop, I’ll tell you he’d be a winner every time.

“He comes back from a period off and gets into it like he’s been playing for six years, straight into it. Straight up to the physical presence side of the game as well. He’s a quality player.”

If Australia can nullify O’Brien, they’ll be well on their way to victory against this dangerous Irish side, who defeated New Zealand three weeks ago and pushed them again last Saturday.

However, million-dollar playmaker Sexton has been ruled out with a hamstring strain, while Henshaw was knocked unconscious last weekend in a highly physical game.

Backrower CJ Stander and fullback Rob Kearney will also undergo concussion tests this week after taking head knocks against the All Blacks, while flying winger Simon Zebo is battling cramp.

Australia have only lock Adam Coleman unavailable through injury from their frontline choice of players on this tour.