THE last time Kieren Jack kicked a round ball, it ended up in Melbourne’s Yarra River.

However Jack, the Swans 2010 Club Champion, hastens to add his kick was a ‘goal’, and so powerful that it went almost the whole way across the river!

On that day Jack was mucking around with his team-mates as they loosened up for last month’s semi-final against the Western Bulldogs.

Today Jack will kick a round ball again, as he and Jarrad McVeigh get in some practice before heading to Ireland on Saturday with the AFL’s International Rules team.

Jack, McVeigh and Adam Goodes have been selected in the 22-man team which will be coached by Collingwood’s premiership winning coach, Mick Malthouse, in two Tests against the Irish.

And there will be familiar faces on the Irish team, with Tadhg Kennelly playing for his homeland, as well as Chris McKaigue, the Swans’ Irish rookie-listed player.

It’s also understood that Brendan Murphy, who was rookie-listed by the Swans before returning home to Ireland, might also play.

Goodes has previously represented Australia against Ireland at senior level, while McVeigh represented Australia in International Rules at Under 16 level.

But it’s the first time Jack has been selected to represent his country and he couldn’t be happier about the honour.

“I was rapt when (football manager) Dean Moore came and told me they were considering me for the team and asked me if I was keen to play,’’ Jack said.

“You’d never turn it down, it’s pretty special.’’

Jack’s father, Garry, represented Australia in rugby league’s Kangaroos team, so Kieren is excited to have the chance to play for his country in his chosen sport.

“I think it’ll be great fun. I’ve never been to Ireland before so I’m really looking forward to the trip and the chance to get to know players from other AFL teams,’’ Jack said.

“The AFL seems to have picked a pretty young, quick team to take on the Irish.’’

Jack readily concedes he needs to get up to date with the rules of the hybrid game, as well as finding his touch with the round ball.

“I’ve only seen bits of the game on television, and Tadhg has been having a go at me, saying he’s going to laugh at me when I try to kick,’’ Jack said.

“Soccer was the first sport I played because we lived in England when Dad played league there, but it was a long time ago and I can’t curve the ball the way the good players do.’’

McVeigh will be there to help his team-mate. The midfielder has strong memories of playing the game for Australia as a 16-year-old , which involved training for several months ahead of the tournament.

“I’m familiar with the game,’’ McVeigh said. “I’m really looking forward to representing my country again at senior level, and to meeting some of the really good players in the AFL who are on the team.’’

The Australians will play two Tests in Ireland - the first is in Limerick on Saturday October 23, and the second is at the famous Croke Park in Dublin, on Saturday October 30.

Adam Goodes, who has been in Sri Lanka for the past 10 days, will meet up with his team-mates in Melbourne tomorrow before they all head overseas.

The Australian team is: Todd Banfield (Brisbane Lions), Eddie Betts (Carlton), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows), Paul Duffield (Fremantle), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), James Frawley (Melbourne), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood), Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans), Brad Green (Melbourne), Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle), Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans), Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Dane Swan (Collingwood), Travis Varcoe (Geelong Cats), David Wojcinski (Geelong Cats).