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Irish hope to fulfil great expectations against Aussies

Dublin (AFP) - Six Nations champions Ireland can wrap up a highly successful year by beating Australia in their one-off rugby union test on Saturday provided they cope with the huge expectations which have grown with each victory, said coach Joe Schmidt.

The Irish, whose fortunes have been turned around by Schmidt since he replaced Declan Kidney after the 2013 Six Nations, are seeking their seventh successive win and hope to complete the double over Australia and South Africa for the first time since 2006.

It is also the last time Ireland reached number three in the IRB rankings and where they now lie after beating Georgia 49-7 last Sunday.

However, Schmidt dismisses those as distractions although he admits the atmosphere has changed since defeating the Springboks 29-15 a fortnight ago.

"We'll find out on Saturday if the boys can handle the greater expectations," said Schmidt.

"We're feeling more pressure this week. I'm not sure you can shield the team from the public expectation and I sense they're aware of it.

"I would like to think it is no harm that instead of being distracted by it we are motivated by it.

"There is fear within all of us, it is human nature. There is a level of anxiety that is positive but there is also a fine line and if it goes beyond that then we enter negative territory.

"However, if we meet those expectations then we can do well," added the 49-year-old New Zealander.

Schmidt, who succeeded his Australia counterpart Michael Cheika as Leinster coach when the latter left for French outfit Stade Francais in 2010, said that the Wallabies would present a different challenge to the Springboks.

"The Aussies will mix it up more," said Schmidt, who made two changes to the starting line-up that beat the 'Boks with veterans Gordon D'Arcy and Rory Best coming in for Jared Payne, who is injured, and Sean Cronin, who drops to the bench.

"They have a bit more art and science about them but they have a few players capable of blunt force trauma.

"They have dynamic players and are capable of hurting you from deep like they have already shown on this tour. Teams have had them under pressure and they have broken out and scored tries."

Schmidt, who guided Leinster to two European Cup trophies and a European Challenge title, said that his mantra remained the same -- the result was secondary to the performance.

"We'll be disappointed if we don't perform but if we do we can get a very good result," said Schmidt.

"However, I would warn against that translating into victory as you can perform well against the Aussies and still not get over the line."

Cheika, who knows several of the Irish players well from his days in charge of Leinster, has changed some things around on the pitch since he was appointed following the resignation of Ewen McKenzie last month.

In line with that, he has reacted to the 29-26 defeat by France last weekend in making four changes to the starting line-up and the fiery coach, who made plain to the players his disapproval of the performance against the French, is expecting a positive reaction to the first defeat of the tour.

"All our changes will bring a new energy into the team and I know everyone is looking forward to the opportunities our match against Ireland will bring. It is imperative we regain our winning ways," said 47-year-old Cheika.

The Wallabies' grizzled lock Rob Simmons, who will win his 49th cap on Saturday, said the streetwise Irish pack could cause them problems and they would have to be ready for it.

"Headed by Paul O'Connell, they're pretty crafty and old school. There are ways you can go about it, you don't have to give away penalties. We'll mix things up and we have to be smart about it," said Simmons.