The definition of a tweak according to the Cambridge English Dictonary is: "to change slightly, especially in order to make something more effective or correct."
Have no doubt both Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt have given lots of thought already as to how they might tweak things ahead of next weekend's second Test here in Melbourne following Saturday's 18-9 win for the home team in Brisbane.
Much has been made about the lack of preparation time for Australia ahead of the opening game at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Six days together in total, some had even played for their Super Rugby clubs the weekend before.
Very few on-field training sessions, new combinations, new players introduced into the environment, even new members of the coaching staff.
Cheika’s squad will benefit from more preparation time. They will take huge confidence from last Saturday’s win, possibly even the manner of that win. Some of their players may not have known much about their opposite number, but they all seemed to know Ireland were ranked number two in the world and were Six Nations champions.
Everyone likes beating an underdog, even Australia. Put the shoe on the other foot, how often have Ireland lifted their performance when everyone wrote them off and no one rated their chances? Quite often, in fact more often than not.
And what about Ireland’s preparation time for the opening game? Not much has been said or written about that. Yes, a familiar looking squad. Yes, a few new players. Apart from a day or two the week before last in Carton House, not a lot of time together as a squad prior to the trip to Australia.
And then the journey to get to the other side of the world. Regardless of how you travel, it takes a lot out of your system, wrecks your sleeping pattern and drains the energy out of your system.
It takes quite a few days to build that back up, to get into a routine, to sleep properly, to get back to normal, whatever normal is.
Regardless of the science and research behind long haul travel, it takes getting used to. Especially at the end of a long season.
I’m not making excuses for anyone. International sport can be brutal. The margins of error are small. A little mistake can be punished severely.
Australia have spoken about how their line-out can be better, I believe their overall game will improve. They will be a bigger attacking threat, passes will stick. Israel Folau will dominate the air if allowed, so too Dane Haylett-Petty.
I have said previously they can score tries; they did and will continue to do so.
However Ireland can and must also improve. There will be changes to the starting team, perhaps less kicking, more running, be more direct also.
That can cause problems for Australian defenders, ask questions and take them out of their comfort zone.
Tweaks? Everyone needs them, question is little tweaks or large tweaks?
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