Football

Aussies admit they don't want a battle of skills in International Rules Tests

Ireland manager Joe Kernan has found himself dealing with a sickness bug within his squad as the first test against Australia looms Picture by ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
Ireland manager Joe Kernan has found himself dealing with a sickness bug within his squad as the first test against Australia looms Picture by ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson Ireland manager Joe Kernan has found himself dealing with a sickness bug within his squad as the first test against Australia looms Picture by ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

AUSTRALIAN midfielder Scott Pendlebury perhaps paid Ireland the greatest of inadvertent compliments by admitting they do not want the game to “turn into a skill contest”.

In the latest indication from the hosts’ camp that they intend to make tomorrow’s first test into a wholly physical affair, the Collingwood man said they have no intention of letting Ireland showcase their superior kicking skills with the round ball.

“I think we’re still adjusting and will be adjusting throughout the whole series.

“There are certain things we have an advantage in which we want to exploit and probably don’t want it to turn into a skill contest.

“We just don’t want it to turn into a long-kicking contest with them. We want to put on an exciting brand that hopefully a lot of people will come out and watch on Sunday.

“We’ve got an amazing side and we want to showcase our skill that we’ve got with the round ball. Hopefully, there’s as many supporters as we can get.”

A more deliberate compliment quickly followed as, having played in the series twice in the past, he paid tribute to the athleticism of the travelling amateurs.

“I just remember the speed of the game was incredibly quick. Just the short duration, you can literally go flat out from the start of the game to the end.

“I’m looking forward to playing and I’ve got the upmost respect for the Irish guys. I know they’re technically classed as amateurs, but they’re as good as athletes as we’ve ever played against.”

Despite being accustomed to kicking the oval Sherrin, the Australians have shown an incredible adaptability in past years by often outscoring Ireland in terms of overs.

But the lack of goals in Australian Rules Football is a disadvantage in the cross-pollinated sport as Pendlebury admits they are not naturally inclined to create or take goalscoring opportunities.

“It’s not natural for us. It’s probably something if we get a chance we’ll take it, but other than that, just go for the over and bank the three points because it’s not a strong suit for ours.

“No offence to Brendon [Goddard] our goalie, but the Irish goalie does it for a living and Brendon’s doing it twice. We’ll just take the overs and make sure we bank as many three points as we can.”