Little more than a year from the World Cup, Schmidt is seeking to balance the need to give emerging players a chance to prove themselves, with securing Ireland's first three-game series win over a southern hemisphere side.

'"You try to get it as perfect as you can, balancing that opportunity (for players) with that massive responsibility to try and win a series," Schmidt said.

No.8 Jack Conan, who has eight caps, gets his first start of the series on Saturday.

Coman's back row opponents include Michael Hooper and David Pocock, who Schmidt rates as two of the best fetchers in world rugby.

"For Jack, it's probably as exciting as it is a little bit threatening," Schmidt said.

However, he has selected two experienced flankers alongside Conan in captain Peter O'Mahony, who will earn his 50th cap this week, and CJ Stander.

"I'm hopeful that will offer some good confidence and support to Jack and he looks to really stamp an impression on the game," Schmidt said.

Schmidt holds the Wallabies and their coaching staff in high regard.

He succeeded current Wallabies mentor Michael Cheika as coach of Irish powerhouse Leinster.

Schmidt was an assistant coach at the Blues at a time when the Wallabies current attack and defence coaches, Stephen Larkham and Nathan Grey respectively, were still playing.

"Personally I think the Wallabies have as good an attack as any team in the world, and I think defensively they have proved they could be as good as anyone in the world," Schmidt said.

"You look at the coaching staff, not just Michael Cheika who has obviously got a proven record, but Nathan Grey was an incredibly combative defender himself.

"He was a total pain in the neck, he was so solid.

"Stephen Larkham, I coached Super Rugby against him when he was leading the Brumbies; astute, calculated."

Australian Associated Press