It is the moment in Declan Kidney's tenure as Ireland coach when he has to bow to form rather than class.

It may be true that one is temporary and the other permanent, but the development of the Ireland squad for next year's World Cup requires Kidney to reward those who played so valiantly in the 31-28 loss to the New Zealand Maori last Friday.

Surely Jonathan Sexton has earned the right to return to the pivotal out-half role, given his excellent eight-out-of-nine return from placed balls in Rotorua and his general maintenance of the backline.

Furthermore, it is his far superior physicality and his defensive soundness that should stabilise what is sure to be an unfamiliar backrow, no matter the permutation.

Centre Paddy Wallace is one on the verge of benefiting from a strong individual input to a morale-boosting performance ahead of the Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

"Four games defeated now in a row? It's a long time since Ireland has gone like that," stated Ulster centre Wallace.

"It was the dirties' (dirt trackers) job to try and get the show back on the road again. Unfortunately, we came up short in terms of getting the overall victory, but I think the spirit we showed probably lifted the whole squad."

Forwards coach Gert Smal is not content to let Australia make the running in Brisbane as Ireland travel in pursuit of their first win there since 1979, and he wants Ireland to be proactive in their approach.

"We want to take our game to them as well. That's what makes this such a great opportunity for these players. Because there is some skill there and they can surprise," said Smal.

"That's why you're looking forward to it. You can just imagine if we beat them on Saturday what it will mean for these players and for Irish rugby."

Hooker Jerry Flannery is rated no better than 50-50 to prove his fitness as Sean Cronin and Damien Varley also contest the No2 jersey.

The results of a scan on Shane Horgan will be revealed later today, although he is unlikely to be involved anyway as Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble are almost certain to man the flanks.

Funnily enough it is at the scrum where Ireland could look to unsettle the home side. Smal is steadfast in his belief in tight-head Tony Buckley.

It was only late last year that the South African-born coach publicly backed Buckley's potential, and Smal was finally rewarded by a man of the match stint from Buckley against the All Blacks, one of the few consolations from the New Plymouth thrashing.

"I still believe in his capabilities and you see what he can do around the park.

"If we can sort out his scrummaging he will be one of the best in world rugby. I think he has a lot of potential."

It is certainly time for Buckley to realise that potential and time for Ireland to put a stop to a four-game losing streak that is sucking the confidence from the players, and maybe the coaches too.

DES BERRY'S IRELAND (v Australia): R Kearney; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll, P Wallace, A Trimble; J Sexton, T O'Leary; C Healy, S Cronin, T Buckley, D O'Callaghan, D Tuohy, D Wallace, N Ronan, C Henry.

- Des Berry