Australia international rules assistant coach Matthew Lappin believes that his team have plenty of room for improvement following their International Rules Series warm-up win over UCC/CIT.
In an interview with RTÉ Sport's Brian Carthy, Lappin commented after the match: 'Obviously the opposition was not quite at the level that the Irish side's is going to be in the Test.
'It was good experience for our players, they'll learn a hell of a lot from the mistakes they make out there on the pitch tonight; we were happy with the result.
'We've got a couple of injuries which is an issue for us, but all in all we thought the players adapted really well and they had a lot to learn from the experience.'
Past Australia teams have struggled with the use of the round ball in the International Series; however, there appeared to be a marked improvement by the men from Down Under in that department against UCC/CIT. Lappin feels there is still much work to be done by his charges, he stated: 'We still had some kicking errors tonight, we don't kick the ball anywhere near as good as the Irish.
'We've tried to simplify it for the players, so that it's not too confusing and I suppose we've done a little bit of practice.
'We've had a lot of kicking sessions before we came over, so we didn't think we kicked the ball that well tonight, we've got a lot of improvement left in us.'
When asked if Australia had sent over a smaller and lighter type player than in past International Rules Series, Lappin agreed: 'Yeah, I think so; and, speed is another thing we've looked at.
'We've tried to bring some quick players over and we've tried pick a quick and skillful side.
'That was their first hit out today and they were okay, so we'll see how we go in the big Test at Limerick.
'I played in four or five series myself and now involved as a coach, I'm really passionate about it; I want to see it succeed.
'It's a great opportunity for both codes and the players in those codes to represent their country.'
Quizzed over the violence evident in past Tests, Lappin was keen to point out that both countries have made an effort to tidy up the physical nature of the sport: 'I think both codes have made real efforts to tidy up those things. I know our coach has told the players, fairly and squarely, how he wants the series to be played - in good spirits, nice and fair; but very competitive.
'Last series we played our boys took that onboard and I think the Irish did as well. Hopefully this week we'll see a repeat of that and the series will go on for years to come.'
With six players in the Ireland squad who have played Aussie Rules, and two who are currently playing Down Under in Tommy Walsh of St Kilda's and Tadhg Kennelly of Sydney Swans, Lappin feels his team are well aware of the Irish team's strengths: 'Yeah, they've got six boys who have been over in our AFL system, so we know those boys well.
'We've looked at quite a lot of the Irish boys and how well they've done in their Gaelic season, so we've done a little bit of work on that; but, we'l learn a lot more on Saturday when we come up face-to-face.'
Ireland and Australia meet in the first Test of the International Rules Series in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, on Saturday. Throw-in 7pm.
