Ireland are ready to get physical

ANOTHER International Rules series begins with the same old questions. The Aussie advantage with the tackle versus the Irish advantage with the round ball.

However, there is another teaser to add to the mix. Ireland’s failure to nail enough three-pointers in Australia last autumn helped the host retain the series, a fact that has not escaped the attention of Irish manager Pete McGrath.

“Our strategy should be to create more with the ball, because as everyone knows, the Australians have an advantage with the tackle. And one of the areas we should be stronger in is kicking the ball between the sticks from a long way out. And we should use that to our advantage.”