International Rules News round-upFormer Ireland manager John O'Keeffe tells Ian O'Riordan how he hopes this year's series will be played

Saturday's first Test is a sell-out, the second one is heading that way too and yet this year's International Rules with Australia is being viewed as the "make-or-break" series.

Despite the obvious popularity, the GAA and their Australian counterparts, the AFL, have reiterated what's at stake over the next two weekends, and that any repeat of the violent play which developed in Australia last year would almost certainly result in the game being discontinued.

Most predictions this week have been cautious, that the rule changes and greater sense of responsibility among the players and management will ensure a "fair" test this time, with former Irish trainer and manager John O'Keeffe among them. With a passion and belief in the game which he feels has benefited Gaelic football, O'Keeffe is more than happy to give the series the time it deserves.

"I'd still be very confident in the whole concept," he said. "We are dealing with the leading sportsmen of both countries, and I think both sides realise there is a responsibility on them, particularly this year, to play within the rules. And I do believe we will see that this time.

"I've always been a fan of the game, and still am. Like so many people I was very disappointed at what happened last year, and that was the only time I doubted the whole concept.

"The violence out there in Australia, and in the second Test in particular, has no place in the game. But since my first involvement as trainer and selector with Colm O'Rourke all we'd experienced was fair play, and quite exciting football from both sides. There was very little cynicism in our experience and, in fact, they were really good sporting spectacles."

O'Keeffe took over as Irish manager in 2002 and 2003, and fully realised then what it meant to the players involved: "I know that the Irish players really enjoy the game. Particularly because it encapsulates the Gaelic football skill, but also because it gives them the continuity in the game, that it doesn't have all the stoppages of Gaelic football.

"I know the players enjoy that, that the onus is constantly on the players in possession to move the ball quickly. That aspect of the game is very attractive to player and spectator.

"On top of all that, though, is actually representing your country. One thing that has always stood in my mind is when the Irish team lines up together before the game, when the national anthem is played. It was very strong in Australia, and I know then I really appreciated what it means to the players, to be out there representing their country. And they just won't get the opportunity like that without this series.

"I'll always recall the likes of Declan Browne from Tipperary, Matty Forde from Wexford, and Eamonn O'Hara from Sligo. Those players really took to the game, but it was also a great opportunity for them to play for their country, and alongside the players who would be, say, winning All-Ireland medals. It was big, big deal for those players."

Still, the International Rules has always had its critics, and last year's violence sparked a "for and against" debate which has carried through from the origins of the game in the 1980s to this year. Part of the problem is that many spectators actually go along hoping to see the game played hard.

"The physical aspect should be attractive," argued O'Keeffe, "but that still doesn't mean it has to boil over. There is a responsibility on both managers and both sets of players to play by the rules, and I hope they live up to it. I'm also hoping it will be a close contest, with the Irish winning, obviously. But I have my fear that the Australians have put together a squad that can play this game very well. There's no such thing as the 6ft 8in guy, who would be too immobile to play the game.

"A lot of the players here are actually very similar in size to the Irish. I get the feeling the Australians are quite clever and at this stage have realised the type of player required to play this game well. And what amazed me last year was how much they'd advanced in their kicking game, and controlling the round ball.

"When the game is intense, though, the Gaelic footballer will revert to what comes naturally, that's why I believe the game can produce the best of both games.

"But nobody wants to see the cynical, off-the-ball stuff, the raising of fists and boots and that. That should be out, and is out. But physical challenges, contesting for the ball, we all like to see that."