Andrew Kellaway hopes the Wallabies have answered their critics as they count down the days to having a crack at the British & Irish Lions.

As Ireland continued to make clear their affection for vanquished rival Joe Schmidt, so did Australia's rugby men who hope he'll stay the course as their coach.

Joe Schmidt remains much beloved in Ireland but even the most famous of his old charges believes the Australia coach may have a point to prove back in Dublin.

Sione Tuipulotu tormented the Wallabies for Scotland and now Joe Schmidt's men face two more Australian threats In Ireland duo Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will play the last Test of Australia's European tour in Dublin while Tane Edmed is set to be the Wallabies' 19th debutant of 2024.

Nobody knows how Joe Schmidt operates better than Andy Farrell, the Ireland and Lions coach who's ready to pit his wits against his old boss for the first time.