Australia are good enough to beat New Zealand in this year's Tri-Nations, according to Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan and captain Brian O'Driscoll.
The Wallabies defeated Ireland 37-15 in Perth yesterday, continuing a perfect start to John Connolly's reign as coach following two emphatic victories over world champions England.
Ireland lost only narrowly, 34-23 and 27-17, in two tests in New Zealand this month and although the All Blacks were not at full strength O'Sullivan rates Australia as a stronger team.
"I actually back the Wallabies based on the last two games," said O'Sullivan. "They are a better team, not being smart, but they are a better football team. Probably the best football team we've played this year."
O'Driscoll agreed with his coach's assessment of Australia, who lost eight of their last nine tests in 2005.
"They are a very smart team, and smart teams, when it comes to the crunch, tend to come through," he said. "I don't want to discredit the All Blacks but I just think in really tight games, when you've smart playmakers like (Chris) Latham and (George) Gregan and big powerful runners their whole game points toward them being a more powerful side."
Connolly declared himself satisfied with the opening three matches of his regime.
"We are happy where we are at the moment, because we were all very nervous at the start," he said.
Australia winger Clyde Rathbone is doubtful for the start of the Tri-Nations with a hamstring injury but centre Mat Rogers was cleared of a serious ankle injury on Sunday.
The Wallabies begin their Tri-Nations campaign against the All Blacks in Christchurch on July 8th.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks overcame a determined Argentina side to win 25-19 in Buenos Aires today.
Dan Carter wasn't at his magnificent best but still put 15 points on the board for the All Blacks. His Puma counterpart Federico Todeschini was also in good form with the boot.
Carter and Crusaders team-mates Leon MacDonald and Test debutant Scott Hamilton crossed for tries, while Montpellier flanker Martin Durand scored the Pumas' only try.
Argentina led 16-15 at the break, courtesy of Durand's score and 11 points from Beziers fly-half Todeschini, who added another penalty in the second period.
Stand-in New Zealand captain Jerry Collins said: "I haven't played for a couple of weeks and we made it tough on ourselves.
"I can't take anything away from Argentina, they're very hard to beat at home and we just did enough to get through. It was a good work-out, but that's probably not what people at home want to hear, or see on the scoreboard."
Pumas skipper Agustin Pichot was disappointed after a narrow margin decided the game for the second successive meeting.
The former Bristol scrum-half said: "That's the second time they've beaten us like that, but that's rugby, that's sports. This time, we had to go and look for the match. But we made two mistakes and got penalised, and that's how the All Blacks play.
"They're the best team in the world and I love their rugby."
