Tuesday 22 November 2016 13:55, UK
Michael Cheika believes Australia will have their "work cut out for them" against Ireland on Saturday, in what he views as the biggest game of the Wallabies’ November tour so far.
After being whitewashed by England in June and suffering a disappointing Rugby Championship campaign, the Wallabies have found form this month with successive wins against Wales, Scotland and France.
But Cheika feels his side will have to raise their performance levels against an Ireland team brimming with confidence after halting New Zealand's record 18-match winning streak on November 5 and pushing them close again in Dublin over the weekend.
"We are resetting today and saying this is going to be the biggest game of the tour, without a doubt," Cheika told reporters.
"I've seen highlights [of Ireland's games against the All Blacks], obviously. They look like they were good encounters. What I can glean from it all is the fact we got our work cut out for us as (Ireland) got closer to (New Zealand) in the two games then we did in the three games."
Cheika left winger Dane Haylett-Petty, full back Israel Folau, flanker Michael Hooper and lock Sekope Kepu out of last week's 23 for the win over France and allowed a handful of players to have a lighter training week to manage their workloads, but that won't be happening in Dublin this week.
"I wouldn't say they had a week off deluxe," Cheika said. "They didn't have the feet up at the hotel relaxing. However many there was, only a handful, they had some time off and some time working and training.
"If I asked 'Hoops' to play, I'm sure he would've been straight up there or if he was selected to play he certainly wouldn't have been saying 'I'm tired'.
"It's just a choice we made and they'll have to get themselves back into training with the team quick smart.
"They trained Thursday with the team last week, and back into the swing of it quick smart to get ready for this weekend."
Cheika said he expected fly-half Quade Cooper to train fully this week, after he was a late withdrawal from the France Test with an ankle injury.
Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton (hamstring) and centre Robbie Henshaw (concussion) have already been ruled out of Saturday's match at the Aviva Stadium.
Full back Rob Kearney and back rower CJ Stander were also concussed and are doubtful for the game.
Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!
