Simon Easterby on Australia's Approach to Nations Championship Opener
Simon Easterby, Ireland's coach, anticipates that Australia will aim to assert dominance in Saturday's Nations Championship opener in Sydney, scheduled for 11:00 BST.
The match marks the first of three summer fixtures in the new competition, with Joe Schmidt's Wallabies hosting Ireland. Following this, Andy Farrell's team will face Japan and New Zealand.
Farrell, who successfully coached the British and Irish Lions during their tour of Australia last year, saw Ireland secure a 46-19 victory over Australia in Dublin in November.
Easterby confirmed that all 36 players selected for the tour are currently training in Sydney and expressed enthusiasm about facing Australia, the host nation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
"We're expecting a side who have probably got a chance to go and lay down a bit of a marker leading into a World Cup year, playing at home for the first time in a while," Easterby said.
"They are a physical team who will look to try and impose themselves on the opposition.
It's something that we're well aware of, their threats and attack and their ability to attack in a way that can create opportunities."
Selection Challenges and Squad Composition
Easterby highlighted the competitive nature of selection within the 36-player squad traveling to the Southern Hemisphere, noting a balanced mix of youth and experience.
"It's going to be an interesting few weeks in terms of selection because some of the more experienced players are training well but also some of the younger guys have made their mark as well.
I think it's a testament to the group that we've had no one drop out of training. We haven't looked after them, they've worked hard and they've hit the ground running."
