Australia defender Clare Hunt expects Irish 'physicality'

Australia defender Clare Hunt does not expect last Friday's fallout with Colombia to impact the Republic of Ireland's physicality at the World Cup.

A late challenge on Denise O'Sullivan led to the Girls in Green walking off the pitch, with manager Vera Pauw frustrated at what she believed was an over-physical approach from the Colombians.

Ireland face co-hosts Australia in Sydney on Thursday - a blockbuster group opener in front of over 83,000 fans.

Hunt is braced for a major battle.

"In terms of what happened the other night, that impacts the Irish team but doesn't necessarily impact our preparation," the 24-year-old Western Sydney Wanderers player said.

"It's terrible a game has to be abandoned for that reason.

"Ireland have always had physicality, they always will and we are preparing in the same way. We know it’s their strength and we’re working to nullify that any way we can. We are a physical and transitional team also and it will be a good battle.

"I can vouch for the fact that Ireland have world-class players in the likes of Denise O'Sullivan and Katie McCabe. We recognise their strengths in terms of their defensive block and we’ve also found ways we can obviously capitalise on their weaknesses."

Hunt's defensive colleague Alanna Kennedy said she's hoping O'Sullivan is passed fit to play at the Accor Stadium.

The Cork midfielder had a protective boot removed on Monday before taking part in a light training at Meakin Park in Brisbane.

Pauw said she's on the mend but O'Sullivan's inclusion is by no means certain. Her absence would be a massive blow to Ireland; nonetheless Manchester City centre-half Kennedy offered words of support to her opponent.

"Firstly, I hope she's okay, because you don’t want to see any injured at the