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O'Mahony expecting 'huge battle' with Wallabies back row
By Ben Spratt
Peter O'Mahony believes Ireland must win the battle with Australia's back row if they are to triumph in Saturday's series opener.
Stand-in captain O'Mahony leads a much-changed Ireland team in the first Test against the Wallabies, as Joe Schmidt's side look to build on their Six Nations Grand Slam triumph.
Australia have made changes, too, but flankers Michael Hooper and David Pocock will provide a familiar test, according to O'Mahony.
"Every time we've come up against each other, it's always a huge battle with guys like Hooper and Pocock," he told the Irish Rugby website.
"It's not even just their back row; [Sekope] Kepu, their tighthead [prop], and both hookers will do the same. They'll have their backs supporting.
"It's a huge part of the game for us. Every time we play against each other, it's a hugely important battle and a pivotal part of the game. We're expecting exactly the same."
But O'Mahony believes, despite the changes to the side, his job as skipper is relatively simple given the team's recent success.
"All the work has been done over the last 18 months. When we come into match weeks, we're fine-tuning," he said.
"The group of players that I'm lucky enough to be around are all over their own stuff. It's just about getting ourselves right individually for the game, whatever they need to do, whatever I need to do."
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Latest Comments
Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.
Go to commentsYou were 'valuing' the players by you saying "they are not greats" though, I was pointing out another reason why they are greats, inside the team I mean (which is more important to selections on the pitch stuff).
Someone like TJ would be bitterly disappointed he didn't play on this end of year tour. He is still good enough to come on in that France game and ensure the team get the victory (with regards to how well Ratima had been playing). At the very least this is a 'sorry you didn't get that chance' offering, he's not here to get token farewell games, he will be playing to try and prove that he should have been on the pitch last week.
The other decision to play your best over the future is really personal though so can agree with your reasoning. Just sharing a slightly different perspective. I'll have to check the ratings and see how they went.
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