Kilcoyne: Australia pose a ‘different threat’
Dave Kilcoyne said the physical battle with Georgia on Sunday will benefit Ireland as they prepare to face Australia next week, but admitted the southern hemisphere side would present a much tougher challenge.
Ireland take on Australia, now managed by ex-Leinster Coach Michael Cheika, next Saturday in the final of their three November series Test matches.
Kilcoyne was speaking after the match in the Aviva, which Ireland won 49-7.
“It was a hugely physical game. It did take us to the 50 minute mark to break them,” he said of Georgia. “And I think that will stand to us going into next week.”
“But Australia pose a different threat,” he added. “They’ve threats all over the park.”
“We really have to knuckle down tomorrow and get our homework done.
He was asked if the squad had watched Australia’s game on Friday, when they were beaten 29-26 by France in a close game at the Stade de France.
“We did yeah, I thought they were very good as they always are,” said Kilcoyne. “They scrum well, I think (Quade) Cooper is probably in the form of his life so we’re really going to have a difficult day at the office.”
Kilcoyne remained bullish about the chances of a win though, with Irish eyes firmly set on a clean sweep of three wins from three in the series.
Asked if Ireland would be able to go after the Wallabies, he responded firmly: “We will of course, yeah.”
