Australia captain Michael Hooper says defence key to beating Ireland in series decider
Friday 22 June 2018 10:16, UK
Australia captain Michael Hooper says their defence will be key if they want to beat Ireland and avoid a first home series defeat to their opponents in 38 years.
The three-Test series is delicately poised at 1-1 following Ireland's 26-21 win over Australia in Melbourne last Saturday.
The decider takes place in the ANZ Stadium on Saturday - live on Sky Sports Action from 10:30am - and Hooper is wary of the threat Ireland will pose.
Asked how Australia would seek to contain Joe Schmidt's side, Hooper said: "Controlling the moments when the Irish have the ball with our defence and how we're able to get the ball back off them.
"Dealing with their kicking game and their smarts around the field. They've got class players across their back-line and they steer the forwards around so well.
"Ireland are such a good team, number two in the world, so we know they're going to have points where they're controlling the game. How we steal that back as quickly as possible is really important."
Hooper says he has enjoyed both Tests in the series so far, and is expecting the quality of rugby on show to be high when the two sides meet for the final time.
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"The first two games haven't disappointed physicality-wise. They've been really enjoyable, with swings in momentum.
"It's the last time we get to play the Irish here and there's a series on the line, so you can imagine the level will be up again."
