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Ok so yes it’s disappointing that the Wallabies lost in Melbourne, but admit it – you’re quite excited that the series is heading to a do or die climax next week.
But what do the Aussies need to learn from Game 2 to set them up for success in this thrilling series?
Wallabies! Behave yourselves!
In the first Test, the Wallabies conceded 11 penalties and helped to shut down one of Ireland’s key scoring weapons in the penalty goal. In Melbourne, they gave away 15 penalties and Jonathan Sexton racked up 12 points from them.
These games are so tight and the Wallabies cannot afford to gift the Irish so many, relatively easy points. Yes, Marika Koroibete’s yellow card was an issue and put the Wallabies under pressure in the key early stages, but the general level of discipline and control was not as sharp this week and it needs to improve.
Where was the aggression?
Game One saw a Wallabies defence that was quick and aggressive from minute 1 to 80. The intensity that they brought caught the Irish off guard and they were not able to cope.
Sadly, that controlled aggression wasn’t there in game two and it had two major impacts. Firstly, the Irish were able to play their possession game and control large periods of the game at a pace that they wanted to and secondly, it made it a lot harder for David Pocock to work his magic at the breakdowns.
Last week the Irish turned over the ball 21 times – this week that was down to just nine times. If the Aussies want to win the decider they have to get the intensity back in their defence.
Peter O’Mahony v Pooper is a great contest
Pooper was on great form in Game 1 and while neither of them had bad games in Melbourne, the Irish definitely found a way to stop them having such an impact. Peter O’Mahony especially was impressive in the Irish win and he masterminded the Irish efforts to take back control at the breakdown.
The Irish got their clearout working so much better and gave the Wallabies much fewer opportunity to disrupt their possession.
The Wallabies are going to need to find a way to counter the way that the Irish have found to counter Pooper.
It’s there but needs more consistency
When Kurtley Beale went through in the opening minutes with such a beautiful line it really looked like the Aussies were in fine form and could rip the Irish to pieces. However, after that fast start, the key players like Bernard Foley and Beale struggled to get their rhythm going.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
It didn’t help that Will Genia was lost so early, but if the Wallabies want to be a serious threat (and they definitely can be), then they need to find ways to win when key players are lost or are having an off night. At the moment there’s just too much reliance upon too few players.
The Wallabies must get Folau involved even when the opposition don’t kick to him
This is sort of connected to the previous point – the Wallabies need to find a way to get Israel Folau into the game even when the opposition don’t kick to him. In the first Test the Irish, bizarrely, kicked to Folau and he thrived.
In Melbourne last night though, the Irish had clearly rethought this approach and they kept Folau quiet for a lot of the game – he only managed 54 runs from his seven runs. He is such a weapon that, of course, it makes good sense to keep the ball away from him.
But the Wallabies should be able to utilise their own weapon themselves and that just didn’t happen in this match.
Front five getting better
Yes, the Irish pack dominated in this match but the Wallabies are getting some real muscle and power in their front five that could turn them into a real dominating force. For too long the Wallabies set-piece has been, at best, average and regularly opposition teams have been able to target the Aussie pack in the loose and/or the set piece.
But in Melbourne they won all their scrums, only lost one line out and earned their side a penalty try and sent one of the Irish to the sin bin. With Adam Coleman taking on a real enforcer role and players like Taniela Tupou showing he could be world class, there’s a lot to be excited about when looking at the Aussie front five.
Phipps played well but Murray will be licking his lips
The loss of Will Genia with a broken arm is obviously a big loss to the Aussies and while Nick Phipps did a pretty good job of stepping in to this match, he is definitely no Genia and many would argue that Connor Murray is better again than Genia.
The Irish #9 had a good game and his talent with both boot and hands is going to be crucial in the deciding match. Phipps just doesn’t have the same quality or range of skills as Murray and if he cannot deliver good ball to Foley or keep his forwards moving forward then the whole Wallabies machine starts to stumble.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.