Cheika wary of confident Ireland

Michael Cheika is confident Australia can beat Ireland, even if he believes the Six Nations champions will back themselves for a series whitewash.

Ireland are unbeaten since losing to Wales in March 2017, winning the northern hemisphere Grand Slam earlier this year, and will head to face the Wallabies full of confidence.

That is something Cheika is wary of heading into the three-Test series, but he is confident the Wallabies have the quality to see off Ireland this month.

"They believe they're coming here to win 3-0 - no doubt about it - from what I've read and seen," he said.

"We're representing Australia and that means the country is waking up the next day feeling how we've performed - my own kids included.

"I believe we can win. I can see a good young generation coming through here in Australia.

"It's an opportunity to build a new look for the game here and make the Wallabies what they talk about in the game in Australia, rather than some of the other stuff that's going on."

Brisbane hosts the open Test on Saturday, before matches in Melbourne and Sydney.