Ioane: O'Driscoll has perfect game

Australia centre Digby Ioane has conceded defeat in his attempts to uncover any weaknesses in Brian O'Driscoll's game.

Ioane has been given the task of containing Ireland's captain in his 100th Test appearance in tomorrow's clash at Croke Park.

The 24-year-old has been busy studying footage and has been forced to deliver a flawless verdict on his opposite number.

"I've been watching videos of Brian and can find no weaknesses in his game," he said.

"He's probably the first guy I've watched play and there's nothing wrong - there are no missed tackles and he always gets over the line.

"And while he's old, he's still going - he's still a gun. He's so experienced."

Ioane impressed against England last Saturday in only his second Test start at outside centre, forging a promising new-look midfield partnership with Quade Cooper.

But the Queensland Reds back knows crossing swords with O'Driscoll is a far greater challenge than anything he faced at Twickenham.

"It's the biggest test of my life. Everyone knows he's the best centre in the world," he said.

"I'm nervous but at the same time excited. You don't get many opportunities like this to test yourself to see where you're at, so it will be awesome.

"I'm just following my older brother's advice. He always says never let your opposite number score against you.

"That's the worst thing that could happen, letting him get past me and scoring a try."

The difference in experience between the two is vast with 92 caps separating them, while Ioane's position as a converted winger further stacks the odds in O'Driscoll's favour.

Should O'Driscoll's appearances for the Lions against South Africa this summer have found their way into his Ioane's viewing collection, he is sure to have endured some sleepless nights this week.

But while conceding Ioane trails in several departments, Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has great faith in the Test rookie

"It's not so much a head-on contest. They don't always defend each other or attack against each other," said Deans.

"But obviously there will be parallels made. It's more about how the group thrives and Digby has made that transition well off the back of a full Super rugby season."

Australia captain Rocky Elsom today revealed his admiration for O'Driscoll's Player of the Tournament contribution to Ireland's Grand Slam success.

Elsom and O'Driscoll were team-mates at Leinster last season with the Wallaby back row proving instrumental in their march to Heineken Cup glory.

"Brian's a handy player! He's been a part of every bit of success this Ireland team has had," said Elsom.

"This Ireland side has been building for some time but hit its straps last season.

"If you look at the Six Nations Brian couldn't have done any more than he did.

"He did things that were part of his game like making clean line breaks but also scored a couple of crucial pick and drive tries, which wasn't necessarily his role."

Elsom pinpointed Ireland's back row of Stephen Ferris, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip as one of their main threats tomorrow.

"They have a pretty strong back row all round. They were by far the best back row in the Six Nations and they'll be good again," he said.

The northern-hemisphere sides have traditionally been schooled by their Tri-Nations rivals during the autumn but France's 20-13 over South Africa last night has given Europe hope.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans, however, refuses to buy into talk of SANZAR dominance.

"We recognise and respect the fact there isn't much in it," he said.

"The moment you think there is something in it, it bites you. The moment you presume, you're in trouble.

"You only have to look at what happened last night to see the reality."