O'Sullivan relishing a battle of wills
Wednesday, 15 November 2006 16:03Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan predicts the battle of wills fought on the sidelines will settle Sunday's collision with Australia at Lansdowne Road.
O'Sullivan has promoted Isaac Boss, Bryan Young, Geordan Murphy and Denis Hickie to the starting line-up as Ireland target successive victories over major southern opposition for only the second time.
With two dazzling backlines and similar sized packs, O'Sullivan claims the sides are so evenly matched the outcome will be decided by his coaching duel with opposite number John Connolly.
'We've lost our last four games on the bounce against Australia so the omens aren't good for beating them.
'Against Australia you don't know what is going to happen. It's a very tactical game and I enjoy that in the sense that there's a lot of coaching to be done on the day.
'You have to adjust the game-plan around what's happening in front of you. You have to have an open mind over where to attack.
'If you get it right you'll win, if you don't you won't - it's as simple as that.
'We're pretty evenly matched in all departments. Australia aren't much bigger than us and they don't have an advantage in speed.
'They're a very skilful team which is tactically well aware and the game will be won on tactics.'
