VIDEO: Australian players getting to grips with ball that isn’t shaped like an egg

When is a series not a series? When it is the one-Test International Rules series.

Saturday night in Croke Park is do or die as Ireland look to regain the Cormac McAnallen Cup from the visiting Australians. Joe Kernan's men face an uphill challenge to avenge the 56-46 defeat in last year's one-off series, held in Perth, as Australia have decided to take the compromise game seriously and send a squad that features only All Australian players (the AFL equivalent of All-Stars). Judging by the work they have been doing in training in Croke Park, this year's team of superstars are having no issues with the O'Neills football. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/667656745544753153 https://twitter.com/AFL/status/667026406837219328 https://twitter.com/AFL/status/667659037614452736 They held a pre-match meal for both teams in Clontarf Castle last night, where the Irish team got to have a look at the famed Sherrin Kangaroo brand ball. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/667453739255660544 Thankfully that won't be the ball thrown in by referees Joe McQuillan (Cavan) and Mat Nicholls (Australia) at 7pm tomorrow evening. The main event is preceded by the second Test of the annual Hurling/Shinty series at 4.35pm. A two-test series, imagine that?