Dublin: Michael Cheika says there will be plenty on the line when the Wallabies take on Ireland this weekend – not least the opportunity to keep their grand slam dream alive – but insists his men need to play even better than they have done so far on the spring tour.
Australia's last two wins – against Scotland and France – have been by less than two points and the tour could have gone off on a completely different trail had it not been for a late Tevita Kuridrani try in Edinburgh and a missed 83rd minute drop-goal in Paris.
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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika plays down his decision to withdraw injured fly-half Quade Cooper at the last minute following Australia's 25-23 win over France.
Nonetheless, the Wallabies have finalised preparations in the cold of Dublin for another big Test match.
Players' workloads have been managed, everyone bar Lopeti Timani and the injured Adam Coleman have been thrust back into the starting XV and motivation is high at the halfway stage of the attempt to win an elusive grand slam.
Life has been made easier too, given Ireland will be weaker than they have been in recent weeks. They are without legendary five-eighth Jonathan Sexton and centre Robbie Henshaw.
Australia are more settled, have winning momentum and have proved they possess an ability to get themselves out of tough situations but Cheika says he wants even more from his players come Saturday evening at Aviva Stadium.
"We always want to go better," Cheika said. "A one or two-point win here is a good win in Europe. Any kind of win is. Forget about the margins or the point scoring, it's more about how we play, the attitude we show, the intensity we bring and then the skills obviously inside of that. That's how we measure ourselves.
"There's a lot of things that I suppose are on the line, but we're not going to start changing our tune. No matter what the selection, we've got to keep working on the things we need to improve.
![Leaving nothing to chance: Coach Michael Cheika says the focus has been on the Wallabies' attitude, intensity and skill ...](/web/20161125134257im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/x/b/4/3/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsx4ub.png/1480038515055.jpg)
"A lot of those guys haven't played in Europe before so the atmosphere of playing at Lansdowne Road and that challenge, it's really difficult to win in Europe. For a lot of our guys who haven't had those experiences, this will be a big game."
The Wallabies' poor scrum was a major talking point after their match in Paris but the return of usual starting front-rowers Scott Sio, Stephen Moore and Sekope Kepu should hold them in better stead.
Cheika said it was an area that had been addressed at training during the week and one they plan on being dominant in.
"What we've got to do is do our best to stay up," Cheika said. "No matter what the situation is, stay up. That way it makes it easier for the ref – there's usually no penalties at that point. That's the objective. That's what they want us to do, obviously."
There is a theory Ireland could be somewhat off the pace on Saturday given how much energy they have expended in recent weeks while trying to match it with the All Blacks.
Ireland were unable to replicate their historic 40-29 win over the All Blacks in Chicago when they went down 21-9 in Dublin last week.
It will be interesting whether two extremely physically games in three weeks will affect the Irish but Cheika downplayed any suggestion the hosts would be off the pace because they have a milestone to play for.
If they can beat the Wallabies – as they have done on 10 occasions from 31 attempts – it will be the first time Ireland have knocked over the big three southern hemisphere nations South Africa, New Zealand and Australia all in the same calendar year.
"These guys are hardened," Cheika said. "I know a few of the guys and how well they prepare themselves body-wise. They'll be ready for it. And they'll also be inspired by their home crowd. I can't imagine that's going to be any element in the match at all."
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said he was wary of an Australia unit building collectively with a number of handy backs who are combining well together.
"You have to say they were getting better and better during the Rugby Championship and in that last Test against New Zealand, as much as there was a 27-point differential, so many of the stats in the performance favoured the Australian players," Schmidt said.
"Tevita Kuridrani is such a handful to defend. [Israel] Folau, he's a freakish athlete, he's such a good player and then they've got real threats on the wings with [Dane] Haylett-Petty and [Henry] Speight. [Will] Genia probably went a bit quiet for a little while, but he's back to the best form I've seen him in a long time."
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