The Wallabies have finished their Spring Tour 2-2 following a tough loss to world number two Ireland on Sunday morning.
Australia were starved of possession and territory despite building 13-5 half time lead as the Irish showed their class late to seal the win in Cian Healy’s record-breaking 134th Test.
1. So close, so far for brave Wallabies
With 58% possession and 69% territory, you could be forgiven for thinking Ireland swept the floor with Australia. In some aspects, they did.
Yet the Wallabies will rue what might have been after dropping their eight-point half time advantage as the hosts stormed home with a 74th minute try to seal it.
Despite yielding plenty of metres to the Irish, Australia had scrambled magnificently all game with Andrew Kellaway and Fraser McReight turning in serious defensive shifts alongside Noah Lolesio’s flawless goal kicking.
Ireland deserve their flowers in a three-tries-to-one showing and looked the more dangerous side but one can’t help feel Australia – the rank underdogs – would’ve been equally deserving.
2. McReight’s openside mortgage
With respect to Carlo Tizanno’s able showings in the gold jersey, this game proved Fraser McReight is far and away Australia’s premier #7.
The Queenslander terrorised Ireland all game with 22 tackles (no misses), four turnovers and four tackle busts to headline a powerful backrow display alongside Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson, both of whom were influential.
McReight’s timing at the contest is second to none and – alongside the wide channel exploits of Andrew Kellaway on counterpart James Lowe – kept Australia in the contest.
His four turnovers are particularly commendable given the state of breakdown affairs with both sides getting away with all kinds of ruck skullduggery.
3. Healy stands tall among Irish giants
The sight of Cian Healy joining the fray after 66 minutes may well have turned the game for Ireland.
Trailing 19-15 after a monster Lolesio penalty goal, Andy Farrell called upon Healy for his 134th cap to the rapturous applause of a previously stunned and silent Dublin crowd.
From there, Ireland gained a third leg, surging into Australia’s 22m zone three times in quick succession which ultimately led to Gus McCarthy’s match-winning try.
The crowd acted 16th man as Healy overtook the legendary Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s most capped Test player and willed them home from there with Australia’s final raids comfortably repelled.
4. All eyes on Lions 2025
Australia may have finished their Spring Tour with successive losses but any concerns of a Lions walkover next year should be well and truly put to bed.
The Wallabies went blow for for the Northern Hemisphere powerhouse – from whom the Lions coach and a significant portion of players will be drawn – and didn’t die wondering in their final clash of a massive 2024 that also yielded scalps over England and Wales.
“Everyone’s effort out there is awesome, we go out there and we give it our all. I think that’s what we live by as a team, going moment by moment,” Jeremy Williams told media post-game.
“Since July, we’ve seen massive amounts of growth in the squad and we’re really excited to be able to test ourselves against the Lions.”
Get your tickets if you haven’t already – this tour is primed to be the biggest yet and Australia might just be more than a sniff when the Lions hit our shores.
5. Edmed’s agony
Spare a thought for Tane Edmed, who lasted just 180 seconds in his Wallaby debut at the Aviva.
Entrusted with sparking a late rally with seven minutes remaining, Edmed’s stint barely hit three after a heavy collision that saw him removed for an HIA assessment and Lolesio brought back on.
It’s a cruel end to the Waratah’s Spring Tour that saw him bide his time across the opening three Tests before finally earning selection against the Irish.
Nevertheless, Edmed will forever Wallaby #990 and the 19th debutant under Schmidt in 2024.
