IRELAND coach Sean Boylan says a good spirit between his side and Australia is the key for building the long-term future of International Rules.

Speaking on the Thursday before the deciding match of the 2008 Toyota International Rules series, Boylan said last week’s game in Perth was played competitively without spilling over into anything too heated.

“It’s very simple. This is a fast game and it is a very physical game. As long as we stick within the rules, we’ll be happy and they’ll be happy. Nobody’s standing back, everyone is going for the ball,” Boylan said.

“In Perth the Australian lads and our boys would get up and get on with the game and I can’t see that changing.

“It will take a life of its own and that is the intention. We as coaches just want it to last. All I know is that this game played well is a very attractive sport.”

While relations between the two countries have been tense in the past, Boylan said the chance to play on the international stage against a professional opposition could only benefit his team.

“Players want to play for their country. This game played well is a great game and for us we’re playing against one of the greatest sporting nations in the world with one of the greatest facilities in the world,” he said.

“You want to play against the very best and there’s also a kindred thing there because a lot of Irish people over the years have come here to live. They never forget that they come from Ireland.”

Boylan admitted star player Benny Coulter was an unlikely starter for Friday night’s clash but would not rule him out.

“We’ll have to wait to see how he is. The way he was yesterday he wouldn’t have played,” he said.

“The lads that had the bugs have come along really well. They seem to be a lot better. Some of the boys that had soft tissue injuries are coming up well.”

While Ireland holds a slender lead in the series, Boylan said his team will have to improve to keep the Australians at bay.

“As sure as eggs are eggs we’re going to have to improve to survive. That’s a certainty but again that is part of the challenge. It’s up to the lads on the field how they cope,” he said.

Ireland captain Sean Cavanagh said he was expecting his opponents to improve from last week’s showing, but that his own team should also be fresher.

“We know that. The Australian team is going to get better with the round ball. Both teams are going to go full tilt tomorrow,” Cavanagh said.

“After a couple of days the jetlag wore off and after two or three training sessions you soon forget about it.”

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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland

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.