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James Crombie/INPHO
Secret Weapon

You get the impression some southern hemisphere players don't know your name -- Mike Ross

The prop says things will be different with Michael Cheika in charge.

IRELAND PROP MIKE Ross yesterday admitted that the presence of Michael Cheika would diminish Ireland’s opportunity to ambush the Wallabies.

Ross played under the current Australia boss in his final season in Ireland before leaving Leinster for Stade Francais.

And the tighthead says Cheika’s knowledge of Irish-based players will make a change from the normal dynamic between players here and the visiting stars of the southern hemisphere’s big three.

“Some of these Southern Hemisphere guys probably don’t know your name, that’s the impression you get,” Ross said in Carton House.

“But that certainly won’t be the case with Cheiks. I had him for a year and I have an idea (of his style). Every team he puts out always fronts up and looks to win the collision. I’m sure Australia will be no different this weekend.

Ross wasn’t angry about the idea of not being recognised by his peers from the other side of the world, that’s not his style. Instead, he considered that the inward focus may in fact be a positive.

“It’s probably a bit more about getting their own stuff right than anything else. Especially when you look at New Zealand’s results, you can’t really argue with their approach.”

Having played under both Heineken Cup-winning coaches, Ross is well placed to compare the merits of the two men who pit their wits against each other at 4.30pm tomorrow.

“Cheiks is probably a bit more fire and brimstone than Joe would be. Different coaching styles but both are pretty effective.

“Joe has brought a focus like never before on players knowing their roles and exactly what they have to do at every phase and executing that perfectly as that is how our gameplan works. If one guy is out of sync, that affects the whole thing.”

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