The only thing that should have been making Ireland rugby coach Declan Kidney sweat before a looming clash with the wounded Wallabies was the sweltering Brisbane weather that greeted him on Friday.

Certainly, Australia's disappointing Tri-Nations form should not have sent any shudders down the spines of the reigning Six Nations champions ahead of the Wallabies' grand slam tour in November.

But, after dealing with the steamy Queensland conditions during his whirlwind logistical tour of Brisbane on Friday, Kidney admitted he was "more than wary" of the battling Wallabies before their November 15 Test at Dublin's Croke Park.

Kidney spent just eight hours in Brisbane to finalise plans for their Test against the Wallabies next June.

However, his focus was squarely on the grand slam clash with an Australian side still licking their wounds after collecting the Tri-Nations wooden spoon with just one win from six matches.

"I'd be more than wary. If it is going against you it builds the hunger, it builds the resilience," he said of Australia's plight.

"(And) it's been quite a while since we got the better of Australia."

He may have had a touch of the sun but Kidney had clearly forgotten that Ireland thumped Australia 21-6 the last time they visited the Emerald Isle in 2006.

But he did not have to be reminded of how fortunes can quickly change in rugby.

Kidney said he only had to look at his own side's sudden transformation to realise that the Wallabies could promptly turn their form around on their first grand slam tour since 1984.

Ireland went through undefeated to take the 2009 northern hemisphere crown.

Only 12 months earlier Ireland finished with a 2-3 win-loss record - however, two of those defeats were by five points or fewer.

"You look at how the Six Nations went for us last year," Kidney said.

"The margin between winning and losing is just so thin.

"A little bit of luck could be the difference in one or two results, depending on how injuries go.

"The margins are so thin that you have to be half mad to take on this job."

After being bombarded with questions about the ailing Wallabies' plight, Kidney admitted he was flat out getting his own house in order.

"I am meaning no disrespect but you are asking me questions from an Australian point of view which is difficult - I am trying to get ourselves right," he said.

"It's been such a long time since we have been together, I haven't seen the boys since last March.

"We have had two small camps (since their last Six Nations clash on March 21).

"They are just getting up and going again in our domestic leagues.

"Everyone is looking forward to November but a lot of rugby has to be played before now and then."

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