Wallabies legends are all saying the same thing after the Australians almost outclassed Ireland in the Test in Dublin on Sunday morning.
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The Wallabies looked like a different team under coach Joe Schmidt and even though the final scoreboard showed Ireland 22-19 ahead, the courage shown by the men in gold impressed many.
“Proud” was the most common word uttered by Wallabies legends despite Ireland’s fourth successive win over Australia despite the Lansdowne Road defeat.
This is something that has not been seen since the 1960s.
But the wallabies will return to Australia with their heads held high.
Wallabies icon Matt Giteau wrote on Twitter: “Super Test match. It has been devastating for our boys.
“If this tour has proven anything, it’s that next year’s (British and Irish) Lions Series will be a huge success! Take a break boys and enjoy your break. I’m really proud to be a Wallaby.”
Wallabies legend Lote Tuqiri posted: “Wallaby’s amazing heart
In Dublin!
“They have made a lot of progress in 12 months. A promising sign for next year.”
“So proud of these boys,” Adam Ashley-Cooper wrote.
Rugby commentator Jordan Patu posted: “Australian rugby fans should be very encouraged by the growth the Wallabies have shown under Joe Schmidt this season.”
Ireland also showed their former coach’s character in a fractious encounter as he refused to make a triumphant return to the iconic Dublin stadium.
The hosts edged the Wallabies 3-1 to give manager Andy Farrell a triumphant farewell before he takes charge of the British and Irish Lions next year.
It was also a memorable day for Cian Healy, who became Ireland’s most capped player with 134 after coming on as a substitute in a match celebrating 150 years of Irish rugby.
“There is relief, but there is also joy,” Ireland captain Caelan Doris told TNT Sports.
“It’s the quality aspect. They’re coached by Joe Schmidt and we knew it was going to be top-notch.”
Joe McCarthy was awarded a penalty but avoided being sin-bended and the Wallabies took the lead when Noah Lolesio had his penalty saved.
The Irishman made a basic handling error and Australian-born prop Finlay Bealham took two sloppy knocks.
A sloppy opening 20 minutes was brightened up somewhat by a superb Australian try. Sam Prendergast made a tackle on Andrew Kellaway that prevented a brilliant attempt, but the Wallabies retained possession and spread it to the other wing where Max Jorgensen was free to take a touch.
Lolesio converted brilliantly from the touchline to make it 10-0.
The score seemed to have woken up the hosts and they got going again when Josh van der Flier crashed in for his 13th Test try in the 23rd minute.
Prendergast’s conversion attempt was a wild one to leave the Wallabies 10-5. The Irish enjoyed a superb performance after kick-off but a loose pass from James Lowe and Tom Wright’s substitution for Australia prevented them from adding to their tally.
Irishman Lowe’s handling errors increased in his eighth knock in the first half-hour.
This allowed the Wallabies to get through and through the Irish defense and Robbie Henshaw was very good at touching the ball over the tryline ahead of Kellaway.
Prendergast prevented the Irish from conceding another attempt after captain Caelan Doris’ pass was intercepted by prop Taniela Tupou.
Tupou showed incredible speed but was penalized for failing to release the ball when Prendergast caught a pass over his shoulder.
Lolesio converted the penalty to make it 13-5.
Once again Ireland’s sloppiness cost them as their lineout (the second of a reversal) ended up a few meters from the Wallabies line, allowing the visitors to clear their line.
Schmidt had a half-time chat with his one-time apprentice Farrell, who had some sharp words for his players after their disappointing display.
Farrell added Doris. “They said there is more in us. It was our inaccuracy and our failure to return to neutrality after our mistakes.”
The Irish got their first points of the second period, with Prendergast scoring a long-range penalty to make it 13-8.
This was a hugely improved Ireland team and Doris went under the posts as the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark.
Prendergast converted Doris’ eighth Test try to put the hosts ahead 15-13 for the first time in the match.
Lolesio restored the Wallabies’ lead with a penalty in front of the posts and added another just after the hour mark at 19-15.
The Irish team ran out of steam early in the second half and Farrell threw in the Munster halfback pairing of Jack Crowley and Craig Casey with 14 minutes remaining.
A minute later, Healy let out the loudest roar of the game as the 37-year-old became Ireland’s most capped player, overtaking the retiring Brian O’Driscoll.
Crowley and Casey gave the Irish attack some much-needed momentum. A delightful grubber kick from Crowley gave the Irish a lineout close to the Australian line, which was capped off by replacement hooker Gus McCarthy touching down.
Crowley converted to put the hosts ahead 22-19.
The Aussies were under pressure but an earlier knock from Wright had Farrell roaring with a mixture of relief and joy from the coaches’ box.
— With AFP
