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Wallabies end tour with agonising defeat to Ireland
Ian Chadband, AAP • December 1st, 2024 7:00 am
Photo: AP
Joe Schmidt's emotional return to Dublin has fallen agonisingly flat as Ireland edged his Wallabies 22-19 in a scrappy but absorbing Test to provide a sobering end to what had begun as such a promising northern tour odyssey.
Back at his old Aviva Stadium stamping ground where he led Ireland to so much European glory over six heady years, Schmidt's valiant side just couldn't quite spoil the Irish Rugby Football Union's 150th anniversary celebrations on Saturday (Sunday NZDT).
But the Wallabies came so close, highlighted by a stirring performance in defence, towering efforts from their back-rowers, a fine try for Max Jorgensen, and 14 points from the immaculate boot of Noah Lolesio highlighting their display after they'd burst into a 10-0 lead early.
Photo: AP
Still, on an emotional day for the Irish with veteran replacement Cian Healy becoming their most capped player of all-time with his 134th appearance, the world's No.2 side were not to be denied as they came from 19-15 down after 62 minutes to prevail.
Ultimately, there could be no argument about them winning deservedly with three tries from Josh van der Flier, captain Caelan Doris and substitute prop Gus McCarthy.
Always a tall order to down a side that had won 21 of its last 22 matches at their Aviva Stadium stronghold, the three-point defeat meant Australia finished their November tour with two terrific wins, over England and Wales, followed by defeats in Scotland and Ireland.
The Wallabies hadn't been helped when for the second match running, they were forced into a change on the morning of the game as against the Scots in Edinburgh with their reserve prop Angus Bell, expected to be a key weapon off the bench, forced out with illness and having to be replaced by Isaac Kailea.
In a scrappy start, both sides were let down by poor handling but when Joe McCarthy tackled Rob Valetini high, Lolesio put the Wallabies on the board with a penalty.
It was one of Ireland's two Australians, prop Finlay Bealham, who was guilty of a couple of wasteful knock-ons to ease the pressure on the visitors.
Photo: AP
And they took full advantage with an attack which featured more high ball magic from Suaalii, nearly putting Andrew Kellaway in the right-hand corner.
When the ball was switched swiftly to the left, slick handling put Jorgensen in for a try in the corner, his second in internationals after the famous match winner against England. Lolesio converted for a 10-point lead.
An illegal forearm tackle from Valetini then set up the first concerted period of Irish pressure, ending with flanker van der Flier ploughing over four minutes later.
The Wallabies squandered a couple of other opportunities after a charging break from captain Harry Wilson but were happy to settle for a penalty following a rampaging intercept from Taniela Tupou which enabled Lolesio to put them 13-5 up at the break.
James Slipper was penalised at an early ruck in the second half, giving the Irish early initiative with a Sam Prendergast penalty and Doris roared over to at last give them the lead just before the 50th minute.
Another Lolesio penalty after Tom O'Toole was pinged regained the advantage for the Wallabies, and the fly-half then nailed a long penalty just inside the Irish half going into the final quarter.
The arrival of replacement prop Healy for his Irish record-breaking moment gave the hosts an extra surge of adrenaline after the 37-year-old had been given a hero's welcome but there was some magnificent defence from the gold shirts as Ireland surged forward, highlight by Kellaway holding up a charge on his own line.
But the dam looked sure to burst and from a line-out close to the Wallabies' line and from a rolling maul, replacement prop Gus McCarthy proved unstoppable from short range, with replacement flyhalf Jack Crowley putting over the extras with seven minutes left.
Still the Wallabies pressed forward, but their late substitution of Lolesio for debutant Tane Edmed came to nothing as the unfortunate replacement lasted just three minutes before banging his head and having to go off again.
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