Irish Rugby Side Will Test Aust.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31330, 29 March 1967, Page 10

Irish Rugby Side Will Test Aust.

'THE Irish Rugby team to "*■ tour Australia has the skill and dash and national pride to test any team in the world, says an Associated Press report When they tug on those green jerseys it is as if they can hear the emotional rebel ballad “We’re off to Dublin . . .” ringing in their ears.

Ireland has a volatile captain in N. A. A. Murphy, who is no stranger to Australian Rugby crowds as he was a member of the last two British Isles teams.

With Murphy as captain, Ireland stormed through the Wallabies 15-8 when the two teams clashed in Dublin on January 21 this year. He is friendly and party-loving but, as the son of a father who won 11 caps and became the Irish Rugby Union president, he is also thoroughly dedicated. A vigorous and " energetic breakaway, he leads his team mates by whirlwind example.

His team is good enough to stretch Australia’s talents to the limit The man who could take most of the headlines is C. M. H. Gibson, the outstanding back in the 1966 Lions team.

Another back who will give Australian teams some anxious moments is T. Kiernan, a clubmate and cousin of Murphy’s in the southern town of Cork. Kiernan is a sure handler and reliable goal-kicker. J. Walsh, a very capable centre, complements such a brilliant attacking player as Gibson.

Other personalities are K. W. Kennedy, the crew-cut hooker who always seems to be in somebody’s bad books and W. J. Mcßride, the big lock who was impressive in New Zealand last year. Finally, there is K. Goodall, a 19-year-old who seems to have a mortgage on the lock position for years to come.