Ireland will have to make history if they are to win this year's Coca Cola International Rules series. Only once since aggregate scores were introduced to decide the winning team has a deficit from the first Test been overturned and in 1998 Ireland only had one point to recover. That was actually the only occasion on which the Tests were even shared.

More recently we have seen whitewashes for the past two years with the visiting team pulling away to win the second Test by even greater margins. So although seven points in the international game is a relatively small margin, it is still a daunting task.

How daunting it turns out to be will depend on what trends from last week are re-asserted. If the Australians simply take up where they left off in the second half of the first Test, they will win but if they struggle to get into the game Ireland have a chance.

The home side's problems last week largely concerned the second-half performance. They failed the two basic requirements of International Rules: failing to take their chances and running out of steam. The two inadequacies aren't unconnected; players' morale suffers when opportunities to stretch the scoreboard aren't taken, whereas a fired-up team doesn't get tired.

There are a number of theories as to why everything flatlined after the encouraging first two quarters. Firstly the Australians got a grip on matters tactically and then made some inspired personnel switches. Whereas in the first half the Irish defence had hunted in packs, won virtually everything on the ground and expertly broke virtually all dropping ball. Mobile and assured, they had provided great support on the breakout.

After half-time the arrival of Matthew Pavlich, an injury concern tomorrow, and Brad Johnson from deeper positions, strengthened the visitors' attack and a far more determined effort to mark the Irish backs created immense pressure. The result was hasty, inaccurate clearances. Goalkeeper Peter Burke may be about to pay the price.

Adding to this discomfort was the squandering of chances at the other end. It's always been the case that Ireland's fortunes in this series have been linked to their ability to score goals. Last week was no exception. Although the Irish players thought the missed chances wouldn't come against them given their first-half domination, eventually they did.

A further concern expressed by the Irish camp concerned the lack of leadership on the field. When the momentum swung Australia's way, Ireland were unable to provide a rallying point. The panel doesn't have anyone with the physique of John McDermott or Anthony Tohill to take the fight to their opponents.

Australia left their really big men out of the playing panel last week because of the wet weather. Tomorrow threatens to be as bad so Ireland might be spared the attentions of Matthew Primus and Warren Tredrea but even as things stand, there's a physical deficit.

So what can Ireland do? There will in all likelihood be changes. Stephen Cluxton is likely to come in as goalkeeper because of his stronger kick-outs and general mobility around the back of the defence. His county team-mate Paddy Christie may be given a run after missing out last week.

The Dublin full back would add some catching ability to the defence - or anywhere else John O'Keeffe wants to deploy him - and also provide Graham Canty with some relief, either to stretch his legs out the field or just to rest himself; last weekend the Cork man played the full 80 minutes.

It is vital for the defence to be able to sustain the sort of effort put in during the first half. Any slackening and the Australians have ball players, such as Daniel Kerr, Nathan Brown and David Neitz in attack even before they redeploy the likes of Pavlich and Johnson. But more than anything it will be necessary for Ireland to get goals. Last week the amount of chances created was satisfactory but the execution was not. That can improve but whether it improves sufficiently is open to doubt.

This week there will be a curtain-raiser featuring the hurling-shinty match with Scotland. When focused Ireland appear to have an advantage in this code. Too often the Scottish effort has been discourteously treated by half-hearted opposition. Staging the match before what should be a reasonable crowd is recognition for the game and Ireland should win.