The Wallabies have fallen 26-23 to Ireland in Dublin to suffer their first back-to-back spring tour defeats in almost a decade.
Australia fought back from 17-0 early to be level at halftime before being edged out in a tense second half on Saturday at Lansdowne Road.
Controversial utility Kurtley Beale made his return off the bench, halfback Nick Phipps scored a double and recalled centre Matt Toomua impressed, while big winger Henry Speight had a solid Test debut.
But Australia’s failure to bounce back from last week’s 29-26 loss to France means they head into next week’s clash with England at Twickenham facing the prospect of losing three spring tour matches for the first time since 2005.
The Wallabies’ only victory that year came at Lansdowne Road but they returned this week having been overtaken in the rankings by Europe’s form team, who beat South Africa a fortnight ago.
Chasing a seventh straight Test win, the Irish raced to a 17-0 lead thanks to some clever early kicking tactics, with superstar five-eighth Johnny Sexton the architect.
His pin-point cross-field effort led to winger Simon Zebo’s opening try in the 12th minute before Tommy Bowe extended the lead with an 85-metre intercept try three minutes later.
Phipps was at fault for the try but made amends when the Wallabies hit back through his brilliant 50m individual effort.
The Wallabies looked increasingly dangerous in attack as the half wore on and scored again through Bernard Foley in the 22nd minute, the TMO awarding the try despite what looked like a clear forward pass in the lead-up.
Phipps finished off a superb team move involving Speight, Toomua and Foley to get the visitors back on level terms.
Foley was having an off night with the boot but put Australia in front for the first time with a 36th-minute penalty before Sexton squared the ledger on the stroke of halftime.
Both sides traded three-pointers early in the second half, including a scrum penalty for the Wallabies, who looked improved at the set-piece for much of the game.
Beale – back in the team for the first time since the text message scandal – came off the bench in the 46th minute after an injury to Tevita Kuridrani but he couldn’t make much of an impact in attack.
Sexton kicked the decisive penalty in the 63rd minute after fullback Rob Kearney had earlier struck the upright with a long-range drop-goal attempt.
Veteran playmakers Quade Cooper and Will Genia had the chance to close out the game but Australia’s attack broke down at the crucial moments, with Ireland claiming another big southern hemisphere scalp to rapturous applause.
Steve
Guest
I see Chocka has already started the "I've only had 3days to prepare. Should never have been appointed.
OJP
Guest
sorry cs, just couldnt resist (given my understanding of the continuum encompassing essentially everything from terrible to awesome, hence my snarky observation that we are mostly on that continuum ); In regards to your point though I dont have any issue with Hoopers tackling; I noticed him last week also win a turnover by holding a French player up in the tackle and forcing a maul from which the French couldnt recycle the ball
Steve
Guest
Sorry Bon, I agree with all except Palu. I put him in the same basket as Skelton,- big but ordinary. Tell me a game (test) where he has been Kefu like...... Nil. After all the opportunities he's had.. Move on and find someone else.
steve
Guest
After watching the game a second time, we need to start with Genia and Cooper. Give Tomane another shot with Beale and AAC on the bench. Skelton was poor. Slipper was great across all facets. Faangi was the only one aggressively trying to steal the ball. Leave Jones on but have Hodgson on as captain with Hooper on the bench. Horwell to play with Carter on the bench. McCallum played his best...but well short of what we require as a No 8. This position and reserve front rows are our biggest concern as in all other positions we have people back in Aus undergoing repairs. I'm sorry, but Palu, like Beale is not up to scratch.
baldy @ Manly
Guest
Thought the team went well. Overall the forwards played very well with McCALLUM outstanding. JONES after the first couple of errors played well & I was surprised he was replaced. His pace is a concern to any opposition. Somehow we must get through with 3 props, KUPU, SLIPPER & ROBINSON as the rest are not up to Test standard. SKELTON is a passenger in the scrum while the defence has learnt to grab one of his ankles & the troops will do the rest. Maybe COOPER to start with FOLEY on the bench against England as my only change. Fresh legs off the bench is one thing but if the bench players are not of Test standard leave them there.
timbo
Guest
For all it's worth, I thought that Ireland's kicking game was a great example of how to use the kick for tactical advantage rather than the kicking game of Australia (and many others) who do it for little rhyme or reason and promptly give away possession. I thought it was one of the better games I have seen in a very long time although I was baffled by how the TV ref could give Australia it's second try.
Justthetip
Roar Pro
Well said. Spoken like a dignified runner up!
cs
Guest
As in, most of us are on the continuum as potentially devastating comment-makers on blogs. N.B. Hooper's game-changing tackle was on D'Arcy, producing the turnover that resulted in our second try.
cs
Guest
Agree Westie, Pete and OJP. More careless than I realised, on review; although still preferred to Genia for mine.
HarryT
Guest
What's going on with Genia, is he still injured? To me, he looks pissed off and totally disinterested. Cheiks is persisting with him, which is a good sign, unlike White..........remember him?
RodMac
Roar Rookie
Yes OJP, but there are decoy runners and then there are decoy runners whose timing is slightly off resulting in players being impeded. If I could give you a specific time reference from the game I would. I need a re-watch.
David R
Roar Rookie
We've a pretty decent record against SA aswell. Certain supporters in southern hemisphere just don't seem to take Ireland seriously despite the facts. Yeah we were shit in the past but things change. We might not be the best team in the world but the idea that you wouldn't worry about us in comparison to any of the other northern nations is a bit odd.
Mrs Mac
Guest
Yep
s.t.rine
Guest
Wallabies showed some excellent promise and imo game was a nail-biter.. Whoever said SA/Ireland game was better is wrong as SA never looked like winning - Wallabies did! S T
Graeme
Guest
Not knowing the rules is no defense. Check out the laws.
Graeme
Guest
Maybe you can do the same thing as in 2011 by resting your first team, and we'll brag about how momentous the victory was.
ben
Guest
Must use that hook line and sinker again.....
Bakkies
Guest
When has Hodgson been key in a Wallabies win?
Squirrel
Guest
23 points vs 0
OJP
Guest
pretty much every team runs these same decoy runners