Australia: We will give Ireland a 'tough game'

The Boys in Green can expect a tough test in tomorrow's friendly at Thomond Park, according to Australia manager Pim Verbeek.

Verbeek expects to give Giovanni Trapattoni's men a tough game as he has most of his first-team squad available.

He said: "I have most of my players, especially the ones who are based in Europe, ready and fit to play.

"We will give everything to make it an interesting game for the fans and make it a fantastic test for Ireland. We always pick a few of the younger players because it is a great experience for them.

"They definitely will not start, but there is a chance we will give them a few minutes because they will go to the U20 World Cup in September.

"We have left the Australia-based players in Australia because it is a very long trip, but with the players we have they can do a job tomorrow."

Looking forward to the 2010 World Cup, Verbeek said he had a strong panel of players to choose from.

He said: "We have a lot of very experienced players who were around in the last World Cup along with a lot of young players.