The British & Irish Lions centre, whose Ireland team lost 34-23 and 27-17 to the All Blacks before their 37-15 reverse against the Wallabies in Perth, knows Australia will be determined to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup.

"I think you just have to match New Zealand with muscle power, which the Aussies clearly can, and I'm sure they will be out to turn over the All Blacks," he said.

"Those scorelines don't lie. The Aussie backline are probably a little smarter than New Zealand's.

"They tend to read the game extremely well and they work out early where they think they might exploit your frailties."

The Pacific neighbours face off in the first of three ties in Christchurch on July 8.