O'Sullivan relishing midfield battle

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is eager to see Brian O’Driscoll lock horns with Stirling Mortlock in Sunday’s Test against Australia.

Tour skipper Mortlock made a try-scoring return for the Wallabies in last weekend’s 25-18 victory over Italy after undergoing minor knee surgery in September.

O’Sullivan is a big fan of the powerful 29-year-old Brumbies centre and is expecting fireworks during his midfield battle with Ireland captain O’Driscoll.

“Stirling Mortlock is a big player for Australia when he’s in the middle of the park. A lot of good things happen around him,” O’Sullivan said.

“He’s a very good footballer and a strong man. I’ve always admired him.

“When he went into the outside centre slot during the 2003 World Cup it was the turning point for Australia, who went on to reach the final.

“On the other hand O’Driscoll is a key man for us and it will be a very interesting head to head when they line up against each other.”

Australia boss John Connolly names his team today with Mortlock set to start at either inside or outside centre.

He will lead a lethal backline that should meet its match in Ireland’s three-quarters, who were in breathtaking form during last Saturday’s 32-15 triumph over South Africa.

Ireland also possess a matchwinner in kicking expert Ronan O’Gara, but O’Sullivan is desperate for the rain to clear by Sunday so O’Driscoll and company can wreak havoc.

“When it comes to tactical kicking it’s very hard to match O’Gara. He’s one of the best in the world in that department,” he said.

“I hope the weather changes because I’d be happy to play this game in Australia where it would be dry.

“If it continues to rain it will be a kicking battle and although we might edge it out on the day, we won’t be any wiser as to where we are.

“I’d rather we had a dry day and played a bit of rugby. It’s very hard to play attacking rugby in wet weather.

“We might have an edge if it’s wet but we’re hoping it’s not about that.”

Ireland breached South Africa’s line four times on Saturday but O’Sullivan predicts there will be fewer gaps against the Wallabies.

“Australia don’t defend like South Africa. They play with a softer line so it won’t be as easy. You get a lot more space but they hedge their bets a bit more,” he said.

“South Africa missed some tackles because our running lines were good and that made it very difficult for them to get good hits on us.

“Their blitz defence is either a complete success or a complete failure, there isn’t much in between.

“It’s a high-risk strategy against the likes of O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy, who can beat anyone in a phone booth. It will be a different challenge to break Australia down.

“You have to create space against Australia, whereas against South Africa the spaces are there, the difficulty is getting into them before you get hit.”