Aussie coach: 'We needed a rocket put up us'

Australian coach Garry Lyon praised his side's show of courage as they came back from the dead to beat Ireland 65-58 at Croke Park.

Australia was rocked by a terrorist attack on Bali ahead of the International Rules opener which upset players and management and Lyon said: "It all comes down to character. We were down by 19 points at the break but we weren't playing that badly.

"They needed a rocket put up them and that's what we did and it worked.

"Considering what had gone on beforehand it showed real courage and character on the part of the players."

Former Melbourne star Lyon admitted, however, that the Aussies were finding the transition from AFL to International Rules difficult.

He added: "The whole game is a bit alien to us but we soon got to grips with it after an ordinary start."