IN the run-up to Ireland's pool clash with the host nation at the 2003 World Cup, the request came in from base control for a commentary piece on various aspects of Australian life ranging from their food to their television to their women.

Due to its multi-cultural nature, the food in Australia is excellent, although the indigenous variety doesn't stray far beyond the ubiquitous 'barbie' and a limp Marmite-wannabe which they call 'Vegemite', while Aussie television is, in a word, pants.

And their women? Well, based on covert ornithological observation rather than direct contact, the conclusion was that "Australian females are outgoing and easy on the eye but you wouldn't eat a whole one".

Hell hath no fury like an Aussie woman scorned and that innocent comment drew a oestrogen-laden outraged response raising, once again, the dubious correlation between an all-male, rugby-driven education and latent misogyny.

It recalled the reaction to England scrum-half Austin Healey's famous pop during the ill-fated Lions tour in 2001. "What are we to do with this thing called the Aussie male?" he wrote in his newspaper column. "It's got so bad I found myself agreeing with our coach Graham Henry the other day. He said he didn't mind them being the best in the world at this or that but why did they have to rub our faces in it the whole time?"

Rather than playful, Healey's comments were borne out of a deep hatred, which ultimately backfired, but there is a link between the Australians' innate confidence, male or female, (have you ever met a bashful Aussie?) and their sporting excellence.

The phrase "born winners" is over-used but Australians grow up in a climate and environment where the natural inclination is to get out and exercise. There was also a concerted effort made to maximise the country's sporting potential with the Australian Institute Of Sport (AIS) set up in 1981 after the country's failure to win a gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

The results, for a country with a population of only 22 million, have been extraordinary, notably in cricket, tennis, swimming, rugby league and basketball and, as Giovanni Trapattoni could testify following Ireland's recent 3-0 drubbing, their soccer team is none too shabby either.

The AIS established their rugby union programme in 1989 and two years later, Nick Farr-Jones was raising the World Cup, followed up by another triumph in 1999 and a final appearance four years later. And, while Healey's 2001 rant embodied the enmity between England and their former colony Down Under, the rugby bond between Australia and Ireland is strong.

Brian Smith's contribution as Ireland out-half, while it ended somewhat petulantly, let loose attacking talents like Simon Geoghegan, Brendan Mullin and Jim Staples outside him in 1991. Keith Gleeson, born in Ireland but raised in rugby Down Under, was a quality open-side for Leinster and Ireland, while John Langford and Jim Williams (now Wallaby forwards coach) both had a profound effect during their time with Munster.

Langford tried to impart the knowledge he had picked up in Super rugby and came in for a fearful, but fond, slagging being repeatedly told to "f*** off back to the Brumbies so, if they're that good" but the lessons were heeded and the majority of the Munster pack he came into were soon plying their trade in green.

satisfaction

In coaching terms, Matt Williams, Alan Gaffney, Jim Williams, Tony McGahan and, particularly, Michael Cheika have made significant contributions to Irish rugby in a partnership of mutual benefit. Cheika can watch Sunday's contest in Croke Park and take satisfaction from the fact he has overseen the development of Leinster talents such as Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney, while helping to re-invigorate the careers of Eoin Reddan and Shane Horgan. The Leinster coach seems destined for Australia's new Super rugby franchise and is a good bet to be Wallaby coach in the run-up to the 2015 World Cup.

So, the link is strong but, while familiarity would never breed contempt, the Irish do not have the same inhibitions when they face Australia as when they square off against New Zealand or South Africa. Ireland have won two of their last three meetings with the Wallabies in Dublin and were without Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell for that defeat in 2005. There is a confidence in Irish rugby now that is Australian-esque. That does not guarantee fulfilment on Sunday but like the women of Australia, it certainly makes Ireland worth watching.

- Hugh Farrelly

Irish Independent