Ireland v Wallabies: Five takeaways as apprentice edges master but ‘Lions beware’ improving Australia
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell speaking with Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt and a big Rob Valetini carry.
Following a 22-19 victory for Ireland over the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, here’s our five takeaways from the Autumn Nations Series clash.
The top line
There was relief etched on the faces of the Ireland players as they escaped for the second time in this campaign. They repeated the scoreline from the Argentina match, holding off another spirited performance by their opponents to earn a narrow victory.
Australia had much the better of the opening 35 minutes, moving 13-5 in front via Max Jorgensen’s converted try and a brace of Noah Lolesio penalties, but they were put under significant pressure by the hosts in the second period, who somewhat cleaned up their act.
Although mistakes were still part of the display, there were fewer after the break, which enabled them to dominate possession and territory. Equally, Australia’s exits were abysmal, particularly from the scrum-halves, and Ireland took advantage.
Lolesio did add two more three-pointers to give the Wallabies a 19-15 lead in the final quarter, but tries from Caelan Doris and Gus McCarthy – which followed Josh van der Flier’s first half’s score – helped them to victory.
Lions beware
While they fell off a bit in the second period, there was a lot to like about this Australian performance as they took it to their opponents. When you consider that this Ireland side is likely to make up much of that British and Irish Lions XV, it is a good sign for Joe Schmidt’s team.
After a dreadful Rugby Championship, they have made excellent strides during this northern hemisphere tour and look a genuine threat ahead of next year’s series. The pack is solid in both aspects of the set-piece while they have some powerful carriers in Taniela Tupou and Rob Valetini. When you add Angus Bell and Will Skelton into the mix, they have some real muscle up front.
That then makes the job of the decision-makers much easier, an area which has been a real issue over recent years. Lolesio has looked much more like a Test fly-half in this campaign, a testament to his development but also the work of the forwards.
With Joseph Suaalii impressing in his first few professional rugby games, Tom Wright approaching world-class standard and youngster Jorgensen making a mark, they have enough weapons to worry Andy Farrell ahead of next year’s tour.
Fly-half watch
Sam Prendergast certainly looks the part but, as expected, there were a few errors which could be attributed to inexperience. For someone who has not even established himself in the Leinster team yet, let alone at Test level, it is not a surprise that he couldn’t quite knit it together.
Certainly, there were some lovely moments, including a superb cross-field kick for James Lowe, while the link work between forwards and backs was reminiscent of Johnny Sexton at times, but they just lost their structure on a few too many occasions.
Prendergast was eventually replaced by Jack Crowley who, to be honest, had similar issues, but the Munsterman at least played slightly flatter to the line which challenged the Aussie defence more. It is a position that has still not been solved and you wonder whether the Ireland head coach has created a problem by demoting Crowley so quickly, despite him playing well in the Six Nations.
Out of sorts Ireland fight back against improving Wallabies to celebrate Cian Healy feat with a win
Ireland’s 2019 repeat?
It has been slightly strange watching Ireland fumble their way – quite literally – through this Autumn Nations Series but, to be honest, there have been signs since the end of the Six Nations. Farrell’s charges were subpar against England and Scotland and, although they earned a 1-1 draw against the Springboks, they have taken a step backwards in November.
Their attack certainly hasn’t been as potent as it has been over the past few years and you wonder whether they are in the midst of a 2019-esque lull. There were plenty of errors from the Irishmen in Dublin on Saturday, which is not the first time that has happened this year either.
Whether it is a fly-half issue, with Sexton now not at the helm, or a structural problem, we will find out more in the 2025 Six Nations, but Farrell is not leaving at the easiest time for the men in green. Simon Easterby takes over while the head coach focuses on Lions duties, but he has a few things to work out next year.
Farrell v Schmidt
Speaking of Farrell, this was a precursor to the Lions series next year with these two head coaches set to face off in 2025. Not only that but it was also a case of the apprentice facing his master as the current Ireland head honcho took on his former boss.
In effect, it felt like two teams with a heavy Schmidt influence going head-to-head. It may have been five years since the New Zealander left Ireland, but his imprint remains all over the national team. While there might be slight variations, how the Irishmen attack is very similar to the 2013-19 era when Schmidt was in charge.
Of course, the 59-year-old has taken those principles to the Wallabies and they set up in a very similar way with ball in hand. It will be fascinating to see if that is repeated when Australia and the Lions clash next year.
