International Ireland v Australia: In many respects an international team's performance reflects the national character. The current Irish generation expects a good life and certain luxuries. Victory is one of them. The demand for success has become part of modern society; I'm an Australian because my grandparents were raised in Ireland on a different mindset.
Tomorrow's game carries added resonance because it can copperfasten Irish inner-belief. In contrast, the Australians are not playing in a manner that reflects the nation's attitude to life and, being an outdoor country, sport. Despite the feelgood factor gained from victory over a poor Springboks side, there are several key areas Australia will look to exploit.
In defence, a significant hole exists outside Brian O'Driscoll as the 10, 12, 13 axis is clumped too tightly together. Every time South Africa sent quick ball out wide they made inroads, including two second-half tries. The Australians will ruthlessly expose this flaw. The Irish defence needs to increase its width and sprint up to close down the intricate moves Australia love to generate behind the gain line.
The inside pass from Lote Tuqiri or Stirling Mortlock will also create a direct line for the blindside winger or a backrower to target Ronan O'Gara. They scored a try off this very move when blasting through David Humphreys last year.
Then there is the threat of coming down the short side at lineout time, where the only cover appears to be John Hayes and the scrumhalf; Isaac Boss's defending is an unknown quantity at Test level.
That brings us on to team selection. I know Eddie O'Sullivan has been heavily criticised for being overly conservative with past selections but the three changes are a serious gamble considering Ireland are attempting the unique achievement (and massive psychological boost) of beating Southern Hemisphere opposition in consecutive weekends.
Why change a winning team? I would have waited a week to blood Boss and Bryan Young from the start. On a development level, Young's selection is important and O'Sullivan clearly noted how Italy shunted the Australian scrum all over the paddock. Al Baxter is out of position at loosehead but Young is starting his first game in the number one jersey this season.
Ireland continue to scrummage poorly. The hit is fine but they don't follow this up with a sink and downward squeeze. A powerful scrum will destroy them, and Argentina, France and probably New Zealand - the three best scrums in the world - will be waiting come the World Cup.
The IRFU should target the expertise of former scrummagers, especially the technically excellent Paul Wallace, to develop a blanket methodology for aspiring props. Wallace's know-how could even be utilised by the Test team.
Boss is a particular risk as clean ball from the breakdown is vital.
Gordon D'Arcy and O'Driscoll are the best centres in the world at stealing ball but along with the backrow it is crucial they deny Australia any quick supply - if anything to allow the cover realign beside Roan O'Gara. Disrupting the Australian ball hinders their general cohesiveness; Richie McCaw has proven this on countless occasions.
The Irish backrow should read: Denis Leamy at eight, Keith Gleeson at seven and David Wallace at six. Wallace is wasted at the bottom of a ruck as it uses up valuable energy that should be used to repeatedly punch holes in opposing defences. Having said that, the Irish pack excelled against South Africa. There is no reason they cannot dominate up front again here.
Wednesday's A victory would have helped bolster the ever-eroding Wallaby confidence levels. Coach John Connolly is attempting to drag this squad out of the over-patterned, multi-structured previous regime that stymied the Aussie man's free-spirited nature. This style has even seeped into the underage levels of the game.
Connolly's brief is to reintroduce flair to Australian rugby. As a result we are seeing fluctuating performances, like Wales in Cardiff and the morose affair in Rome that played right into Italians hands.
That said, this is a highly potent Wallaby backline. And they are huge men. The new power combination of Tuqiri and Stirling Mortlock will provide the sternest challenge D'Arcy and O'Driscoll have ever faced. And that includes the All Blacks midfield.
I still believe the brilliant Matt Giteau at 12 is the best Australian option as he can dictate a game in that role. But with George Gregan being rested it is understandable they are blooding the flexible Matt Giteau at nine in case of a World Cup emergency. He has done a good job so far on tour.
Ireland got the tactics badly wrong against Australia last November. They must attack at every opportunity; the speed of the defensive rush must increase and they must get their hands on the ball at the breakdown. O'Gara needs to continue his kicking masterclass as Chris Latham is the best counterattacking fullback in world rugby.
Before the Boss selection I believed Ireland would prevail. If they maintain the intensity levels of last Saturday I still think they can provide the packed old ground with an ideal send-off to high-level international rugby. This is the real goodbye to Lansdowne Road - Australia v Ireland is a fixture filled with wonderful tradition but the visitors tend to win the more important encounters.
Ireland can reset the balance.
