Aussie coach: Ireland 'deserve' to qualify

Australia manager Pim Verbeek has said that he expects Ireland to qualify for the World Cup.

Speaking at his side’s training session today ahead of their friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Thomond Park tomorrow, he said Ireland “would be a very good test” for his side, but that Ireland “would have to deserve” qualification for the World Cup.

Verbeek said: “So far in the qualifiers they (Ireland) have done fantastic. What I have seen of them so far is that they are a very difficult team to beat.

“They have dangerous attacking players, I have just read that Hunt is coming back to the Premiership so I think they have a good selection.

Of his own players Verbeek said he is not worried that captain Lucas Neill is without a club as he is "still very fit".

He said: “I should be worried if it was two months before a World Cup, but Lucas is confident he will find a club. He is still training so that he is ready to step in to whatever club comes for him.”