Ireland are forecast to make up to eight changes for Saturday's second Test in Melbourne but Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley says just one will make all the difference.
The inclusion of senior playmaker Johnny Sexton, who was a shock omission from their starting line-up for the opening match, will make the Irish a far more formidable foe, according to Australia's own No.10 Foley.
Sexton is a proven winner, with the 18-9 Brisbane loss his first for Ireland since falling to Wales late in the 2017 Six Nations.
"He's a world class player and he's probably been the rock of their side for a number of years," Foley told AAP.
"He's been the man who has led them to so much success over the last 15 to 18 months."
Rookie Joey Carbery got the nod to start ahead of Sexton, with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt understandably wanting to get some game time into his back-up players with next year's World Cup looming.
But needing a win at AAMI Park to square the series, the time for experimentation is over.
"We saw how threatening Sexton was when he came on, he made a big impact taking the ball to the line a bit more and backing his running," Foley said.
"He found a few holes through the middle of our game."
Foley said Sexton was a "real competitor" who wouldn't have taken being benched well.
Despite the return of the Irish ace, the Wallabies still feel they have the right game plan to earn successive wins.
He said they would persist with their aerial game, utilising the silky skills of fullback Israel Folau, but also bring other facets to the attack.
"Having Israel who is probably the best in the air in the world it would be silly for us not to use him," Foley said.
"But we've got to combine that with a good balance across our attack so we've got a kicking threat, a running threat at all times just to keep the defences guessing because one thing we don't want to be is predictable."
As well as Sexton, Ireland are likely to include Six Nations campaigners centre Garry Ringrose, openside flanker Dan Leavy and props Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy.
Those five all started in Ireland's grand slam-winning final game against England.
The Wallabies don't have any major injury concerns out of the Brisbane game, although NSW backrower Ned Hanigan has overcome a knee injury to put his hand up for selection.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa may also reclaim his bench role after injuring his ankle on the eve of the first Test with the teams to be named Thursday.
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