• International Rules history, results and rules
TAKING Ireland on with run and carry could be the most effective weapon in helping Australia regain some lost pride in Saturday night's one-off Virgin Australia International Rules Test.
A powerful All Australian-only team has been assembled in the AFL's bid to bounce back from disappointing losses in the past two series.
The Irish have held the Cormac McAnallen Cup since 2011. However bookmakers have installed Alastair Clarkson's men as favourites for this year's series of the fast-paced hybrid game.
Australia warmed up with a comfortable victory over a NSW Gaelic team this week, while Ireland dominated the opening three quarters in a 100-27 win against a VFL representative team last Sunday.
But a combination of Ireland resting key players and the Damian Carroll-coached VFL side coming to grips with the game saw the locals win the final term 13-11.
Carroll, who oversees Hawthorn's development academy working under Clarkson, said linking chains of handballs had helped break down Ireland's defence.
"We definitely tried to play that sort of game and run and engage them to defend," he told AFL.com.au.
"It's a different ball to handball so we did cough it up at times around the ground but that was probably our tactic because we weren't as good at kicking.
"I think the boys learned a lot about the importance of retaining the ball and not coughing it up.
"They (the Irish) are terrific at transition. They're really quick.
"Obviously their game is really quick, (they) always play on there's no marks, and we saw some full-ground chains (of play) for them and being able to score an under.
"Not only do they use the ball well, but they run in waves."
Ireland team manager Paul Earley said his charges struggled at times with the VFL team's use of handball.
The strategy was formulated after Carroll and Clarkson studied video of the Irish players, and although it helped to get the ball into attack, scoring with the round ball was still challenging.d
Damian Carroll (left) and Alastair Clarkson at a VFL game early in 2014. (Picture: Getty Images)
"We saw at times we didn't even score a point, sometimes we'd get it down there and it would go wide," Carroll said.
"So we gave ourselves enough opportunities, which I'm sure (Australia) will next week as well.
"(Clarkson's) certainly very well prepared himself and he’s the ultimate professional in preparing sides.
"I'm sure they (Australia) will give a good account of themselves, they've just got to use the ball well."
The test match at Perth's Patersons Stadium kicks-off at 5.45pm WST on Saturday.
The match will be played in support of White Ribbon, a campaign to stop violence against women.
Tom Meagher, husband of the late Jill Meagher, an Irish woman living in Australia who was murdered in Melbourne in 2012, will take an oath during the pre-match ceremony on field to support White Ribbon's anti-violence campaign and g White Ribbon Day on November 25.
Members of both teams will be wearing a white ribbon as a symbol of their support.
Mr Meagher will also perform the coin toss pre-match and will present the McAnallen Trophy to the winning team after the game.
