THE COACH of Ireland's International Rules side will request that players from both countries be given opportunities to mix off the field so to avoid any tensions when the two tests are played later this month.
Sean Boylan, making his first trip to Australia, will speak with counterpart Mick Malthouse about protecting the spirit of the game after the bruising encounters of 2006 that saw the series shelved last year.
"Mick's reputation goes before him as a great coach and a great man and, hopefully, it is going to be a very positive series," Boylan told Sunday's Herald Sun.
"The directive of the players to us as managers was to get this thing right. This is a great game and the players really want to be a part of it.
"That (not mixing off the field) disappointed me more than anything else last time.
"What an opportunity to meet lads from the other side of the world and we didn't really get the chance to do that last time. I think it is important that this is scheduled into the tour."
Boylan has moved on from the 2006 series, which was played in Ireland and saw the second test marred by player send-offs and altercations.
"You could live in the past all your life, but it doesn't get you anywhere," he said.
"Let's face it, we are all human. We all have a certain portion of blame.
"At least we have both been big enough to do that. Apportioning blame after the fact is nonsense. Let's just give it a good crack this year."
And he will have injured Swan Tadhg Kennelly as an assistant coach for the series, to be played in Melbourne and Perth, while Brisbane Lion Colm Begley will be the sole Irish AFL representative on the field.
"Nineteen of our lads have never played [International Rules] before, but we will be giving a good account of ourselves," he said.
"If you felt you couldn't perform or take the trophy, you shouldn't be involved in it. We are going to match it with the Aussies as best as we can, and put our own stamp on it."
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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
First Test – Subiaco Oval, Perth, Friday October 24
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.
For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
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