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Australia were brave but ultimately bowed, a late decision to go for a win over a draw coming to nought in Dublin.
The Wallabies paid a heavy price in the 13-10 defeat with Taniela Tupou suffering a suspected Achilles injury – an issue that can take nine months to recover from and could leave him in serious doubt for the World Cup.
Coach Dave Rennie surveyed the carnage afterwards. Hunter Paisami had a potential medial ligament damage while Andrew Kellaway and Rob Valetini suffered foot injuries. Dave Porecki was concussed, leaving Australia’s stocks reeling ahead of their final match of the tour against Wales.
A Bernard Foley error after the siren as Australia probed for a try to win the game was the final act in an absorbing battle between the Wallabies and the world’s No.1 ranked team.
Ireland went ahead 13-10 with four minutes to play. Australia had a chance to kick a penalty to secure a draw but acting skipper Michael Hooper opted for a lineout. A penalty concession from Jake Gordon ended one raid, then after they nabbed the ball back Foley dropped a pass under pressure.
Harry Jones, Brett McKay and Jim Tucker discuss the game in our Instant Reaction podcast
“I’m gutted,” said captain James Slipper. “Test matches are won off big moments and we lost that one and it’s going to hurt for some time. We responded from last week, but Ireland are No.1 and it’s hard to win here. We brought the effort but came up short.”
“It’s fine margins, lack of discipline, lack of focus,” said Drew Mitchell on Stan Sport. “There is a lot to like from Australia. Physically they aimed up and got good impact from the bench. Will Skelton was immense.”
So too was Jordie Petaia who came on in the third minute for injured Paisami and scored the Wallabies’ 70th minute try that levelled the scores.
“Jordie Petaia if he stay fit for the next 12 months he’ll start in the No.15 jersey at the Rugby World Cup,” said Wallabies World Cup winner Tim Horan on the Stan Sport coverage. “He’s an outstanding player, an X factor player.”
Morgan Turinui added: “He’s a light and shade player and we’ve seen so much of the lightness this evening.”
The try was set up thanks to a smashing run by Skelton, and Foley levelled the scores with a conversion from wide right.
Mack Hansen of Ireland attempts to keep the ball in play during the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
While the defensive grit of the Wallabies can’t be faulted their year long issues with discipline and bad luck continue.
Folau Fainga’a, on for Dave Porecki after a head knock, gave away one of the most senseless yellow cards in a season where the Wallabies have had 13 plus one red card.
After referee Ben O’Keeffe had warned both captains after a couple of head roll penalties that the next culprit would head to the sin bin, Fainga’a produced another one. James Slipper gave his hooker a resigned slap on the shoulder as he started the trudge off.
“Why are you doing that?’ asked Sean Maloney for the whole of the Australian rugby community. Morgan Turinui’s response was brutal: “The reason why is because you lack the discipline and maturity of a Test player.”
With Fainga’a off the field Australia were soon reduced to 13 players for several minutes. They somehow survived as Ireland’s Aussie-born winger Mack Hansen started injecting himself into the action.
Hansen looked to have put Jamison Gibson-Park over for a try but he had been pushed into touch in the lead up thanks to a superb covering tackle by Bernard Foley.
Discipline is one issue but the Wallabies have also been cruelled by an astonishing injury list.
The loss of Tupou, who was gripping behind his knee in serious pain, is just the latest top line player – with the Queensland prop every bit as important to Rennie as Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi who are sidelined with long term issues.
“Teams are having success against the Wallabies by disrupting them at the breakdown, putting them off their game plan,” said Justin Harrison.
“Again the Wallabies found a way to win that match, we get lineout turnovers start to get some direction and oomph and just at the end… This is the knife edge that international rugby is right now. It’s hugely disappointing for a team who put everything into getting a result.”