Ireland v Australia Drew Mitchell: Drew Mitchell is not a marque name in world rugby, yet.
The 21-year-old Queensland native's graduation to the senior Test arena could be labelled meteoric, but even that seems a bit trite. A gifted player he has already made a pronounced impact, scoring four tries in eight appearances.
When Australian coach Eddie Jones names his team today, Mitchell will probably be included not in his favoured position of fullback but on the wing. He doesn't care, content to defer to a player in Chris Latham whom he admires. "Having what I regard as the world's best fullback in the Wallabies (squad) in Chris Latham; I am happy to play anywhere. To be running off him teaches me a great deal."
Those who watched this season's Tri-Nations will be well versed with Mitchell's quality as will those Irish supporters who took in the Under-21 World Cup in Scotland. The young Australian captained the losing side to David Gannon's Ireland in the semi-final. Previously Mitchell had been a member of the victorious Australia team that beat Ireland in a schools' international in Cork (2001).
While in the country he stayed with Leinster Under-21 fullback and Ireland underage international Ross McCarron. "We sort of didn't (keep in contact) for a while but then Ross and myself were going to be involved in the Under-21 World Cup in Argentina (last summer). We started e-mailing back and forth and I would hope to catch up with him at some stage."
Mitchell made his senior debut for Australia as a replacement against South Africa in Sydney, having been something of a surprise inclusion on last year's spring tour. He scored a memorable try when winning his first cap, a feat he emulated against the All Blacks at Telstra Stadium.
His international success came on the strength of an excellent 2004 when he made his Super 12 bow with Queensland, going on to play in all 11 matches for the Reds. Once again eligible at underage level this season his ability demanded a loftier stage, once again shining on the wing for Queensland in Super 12, where he scored four tries.
"If in 2001 you told me this is where I would be now, I would have laughed it off, think nothing of it. I have been fortunate with the circumstances.
"Other guys' injuries have elevated me quicker than usual and I have been very fortunate."
His modesty fails to camouflage a precocious talent. A fast elusive runner his first instinct is to counter-attack.
Australia's most recent defeat in a seven-match loss sequence came against England at Twickenham: Mitchell enjoyed the experience but not the result. "I knew it was going to be physical, fast and a massive battle up front. I haven't been in an arena like Twickenham before, the atmosphere, the noise, how loud it was and the rivalry between the English and the Australians; it was great to be involved." The run of defeats grates: "It's a very big deal. It doesn't sit well with any of us. We are itching to get out there, turn things around and get it back on a positive track: end this run. Every game we have played we have been in a position where we could have gone on with it. It has been lapses in concentration that are hurting us dearly.
"We're keeping positive because we're playing good football. We just need a few things to go right. The forwards have copped some flack but the backs let games slip. In the last Bledisloe Cup, we came back but having got back into the game I put down a routine high ball. Mils (Muliaina) picked up and Dougie Howlett scored. All momentum that had been with us suddenly went the other way. (You) can't put it (losing) down to one group of players. We have to stop it as a team."
Saturday is the next opportunity.
In profile
Position: Wing/Fullback
Height: 180cm
Weight: 85kg
Date of birth: 26/3/1984
Super 14 team: Queensland Reds 2003- State caps: 23
Super 12/14 points: 30 (6 tries)
Super 12/14 caps: 22
Tests 2005: SA1 (rep) (1t), SA2 (rep), SA3 (rep), NZ1 (1t), SA4, NZ2, Fr (1t), E (1t)
Test points: 20 [ 4 tries]
Test caps: 8
Test debut: 2005 v South Africa, Sydney
Honours: Australian Under-16s 2000, Australian Schoolboys 2001, Australian Sevens 2002, Australian U-21s 2003-2004, Australia A 2004-2005, Australian Wallabies 2004-
Senior Tours: 2004 - Britain and France.
