Following last weekend's bitterly disappointing ten-point defeat in Wellington, Ireland's undesirable record of having never beaten the All Blacks will continue for another six months at least.

Once again Brian O'Driscoll and co were within striking distance going into the final quarter, but indiscipline and concentration lapses cost them dear. At the end of an extremely tough and long season, it was always going to be the slightest of indiscretions that would decide the overall outcome. For the home side, they will have been delighted with the stern test provided by Michael Bradley's side and it was ideal preparation ahead of their upcoming two-test series with England. From Ireland's perspective it was another in a long line of what might have been. This week they travel to Melbourne where another Southern Hemisphere powerhouse, Australia, lies in wait.

These end-of-season tours can sometimes seem a little pointless. A thirty-man squad makes a 30,000km round-trip in order to play two rather meaningless fixtures. Players, especially the Munster contingent which faired so well in the European Cup, will be battle-weary and nearing exhaustion. When you consider that only seventeen of the thirty man squad will actually start in the two games, then one wonders how the other thirteen members of the party feel about the whole experience. Where clashes between Ireland and their Tri-Nations opponents used to take place every three or four seasons, now they play against each other as much as twice a year and this sense of familiarity is beginning to have an adverse effect both on the intensity and interest levels.

From an Irish point-of-view, they will be anxious to sign off with a win especially given the disappointment suffered during the World Cup last September and the Six Nations at the beginning of the year. This time last year, Irish rugby was on a high as the national side prepared to enter what promised to be a pivotal six months.

Sadly it wasn't to be and a wave of despondency appeared to descend over the game in this country. However, the recent run of form by both Leinster and Munster has brought about renewed enthusiasm and for sixty minutes last weekend, the national side looked on the brink of history. It's almost thirty years since Ireland won a test match on Australian soil and they have rarely travelled down under since with such a talented collection of individuals. If the pack can rouse one final fight from within themselves then Saturday's game could prove a turning point.

The outcome of this weekend's clash will rest heavily upon the shoulders of the back-row unit. Australia will play a fast, loose game, committing few numbers to the breakdown and using strike runners from quick early ball. Denis Leamy and Jamie Heaslip will have their work cut out for them as they look to contain the explosive George Smith and Rocky Elsom.