2 weeks Ago
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 Australia just couldn't quite spoil Irish rugby's 150th anniversary celebrations on Saturday (Sunday AEDT). Yet Schmidt wouldn't be downhearted, insisting he was proud and predicting that despite the ledger reading two wins and two losses on tour, his team had made significant progress.
'They demonstrated a level of grit that you need if you're going to be competitive with the Lions and Ireland, the No.2 team in the world, and we made them work pretty hard,' said Schmidt. 'We'd love to have got the W ourselves, but from where we started at the end of last November, to where we are now, there's more confidence in what we're delivering.
' Indeed, the Wallabies came so close. It was maybe their best performance on tour, highlighted by a stirring defensive performance, towering efforts from their back-rowers, a fine try for Max Jorgensen, and 14 points from the immaculate boot of Noah Lolesio. The Wallabies produced a spirited display in Dublin, but the home side managed to post a thrilling 22-19 victory The result left the Aussies with a 2-2 win-loss record on their spring tour Still, on an emotional day.
.. Ian Chadband.
