Ireland backs coach Graham Steadman believes there will be no excuses if the team does not perform against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.
Australia enter the one-off Test under a new coach after their quarter-final defeat to England in last year's World Cup, while Ireland have already played six internationals in 2008.
Having pushed New Zealand for 60 minutes last week and already posted victories over Italy and Scotland earlier this year, Steadman said there will be no excuses if Ireland cannot register a win over Australia.
"It has been a long hard season for a lot of the lads but they have got no excuses," Steadman said.
"The most important thing is that these guys are still hurting from last week's performance and that they know they left a great opportunity over in Wellington.
"We now have to get it right from minute one to 80 on Saturday and the rest will take care of itself."
Steadman said Ireland's preparation since arriving in Melbourne has been first class and the team is confident of putting up a good performance.
"The two training sessions we had today have been quality so in that respect,
preparation has gone well," added Steadman.
"Everyone is upbeat, everyone is looking forward to it and the proof will be in the pudding on Saturday night."
Since their exit from the World Cup last year, Australia has lost George Gregan and Chris Latham to retirement, leaving Luke Burgess to debut at halfback and Cameron Shepherd at fullback.
Despite the loss of two of Australia's best player's in recent times, Steadman believes there is still enough quality in the Wallabies side that the Irish will
need to be wary of.
"I rate them as having the best backs in world rugby in terms of execution that I have seen," he said.
"I know there are one or two new combinations in there with the likes of Giteau and Burgess at the nine, but they will pose a threat immediately.
"They have got a very good balance and everybody is going to need to be on top of their game."
With the roof set to be closed on the Telstra Dome stadium in Melbourne, Ireland will face vastly different conditions to the rain and wind which they played through against the All Blacks last week.
With conditions perfect it would seem that both teams will run the ball at every chance, but Steadman said Ireland needed to be selective in how they attack Australia.
"When we are on the front foot and have the momentum and ascendancy, let's have a crack at them," Steadman said.
"But I think we need to be a bit smarter when we go out wide and when we attack. If we can get the balance right I think we can cause them problems."
