Victory would be a bonus

As a nation, we have a great tendency to contemplate and regret missed opportunities. For older rugby people, it might be the refusal in the early 1970s of Scotland and Wales to play championship games at Lansdowne Road when we had beaten France in Paris with what was definitely one of our stronger Irish sides.

In more recent times, however, it was our failure against the Australians in the World Cup quarter-final in 1991 at Lansdowne Road that stands out. It still seems hard to believe that having taken the lead with two minutes to go, we lost the game.

That was by far the closest the Australians came to defeat in that World Cup as they went on to beat New Zealand comfortably in the semi-final and then fool England in the final. This has left a feeling of unfinished business with the Irish public, for although we have played each other in the interim, both on their tours to this part of the world and on Irish tours to Australia, this is the first World Cup meeting since then. Our last outing against them, the second Test in Australia last summer, also gives hope for a genuine contest, unlike some of our meetings in the mid-1990s when we were completely out-classed.

I hope, from an Irish point of view, that the weather disimproves. The more wind and rain we have the better for us. The Australians will obviously be hoping for a dry ball. I suspect they will want to use their stronger back line on every possible opportunity.

On that note, it is a real indication of their strength that they can keep a player of the quality of Jason Little on the bench. We, on the other hand, had to enlist Matt Mostyn from Australia, where he was not able to command a place on any of the Super 12 teams. That gives some idea of the gaps between the individual players. However, on the day it is a question of 15 human beings against 15. It would not be the first time that a team of stars have been knocked over by underdogs. The Irish tactics should be predictable. We will want to put the ball behind the Australians on every opportunity, particularly into the corners and force them to either run back or kick to touch. There is little point in us kicking to touch on the full, which we did on a number of occasions against the US, as the Australian line-out is likely to be more efficient and in their captain, John Eales, they have probably the best line-out jumper in the world.

All Irish scores for a long time now have come from moves started close to the opposition line. I would like us to be more prepared to attack from far out. We should now be good enough to try some attacks from a greater distance. If they do break down, there is no reason why we cannot retain possession.

I hope we do not try to take too much ball into the middle of the park. I still have vivid memories of the current assistant coach trying to do so some years ago from just outside our own 22 at the Lansdowne end. Australia scored twice from two turnovers and the game was over before we got going. We are unlikely to be as naive tomorrow. The battle up front will be interesting. I am sorry to see Peter Clohessey out. Apart from his obvious strength in the scrum, I believe he gives a great feeling of security to the rest of his colleagues. The management are probably taking a long-term view on his injury, and that is understandable.

In the second row, we are lucky to have Malcolm O'Kelly available and he gets his opportunity tomorrow to put himself back into the regular starting line-up. I am looking forward to his contest with Eales. The most important area this afternoon will, I believe, be the middle five, that is the back row and half-backs as the Australians run their game around this area. The Australians expect a lot from their number 10, Stephen Larkham, who has been plagued with injury problems this year. He will have to be contained by our back row. Given time and space, he will control the game. Their back row is very strong. While there is doubt about their blind-side flanker, Matt Cockbain, it is their number seven, David Wilson, who is likely to cause most trouble for us. He is, for me, one of the unsung heros of this Australian team, and is every bit as good a player as the All-Black Josh Kronfeld, who receives far more plaudits. Their number eight, Tefu, is also an immensely strong player and could prove difficult for the Irish back row.

Against the United States, the Irish back row did not try to take too much ball on close in, which I think was sensible, but hopefully they will get an opportunity to be creative out wide. Captain Dion O'Cuinneagain is always good for a few runs up the middle of the park. Hopefully the other players will get in support of him more quickly this afternoon because such breaks should be capitalised upon and should result in tries.

All in all, this is certainly an afternoon to look forward to. A win would be an enormous boost to our confidence, but realistically I am hoping for a good performance with victory being a bonus.

(In an interview with Johnny Watterson)