Mon 18 Nov 2013 | 04:16
The Wallabies claim comfortable victory over Ireland in Dublin

17
Comments

The Wallabies picked up their first back-to-back wins of the year after a 32-15 victory over Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. Quade Cooper was excellent for the visitors, scoring 17 points in total, including one of Australia's four tries.

Having had a tough year that included a Lions series loss, poor Rugby Championship and an opening tour match defeat to England, the Wallabies have bounced back with a strong win over Italy, and now this convincing victory over Ireland, who would have fancied their chances.

Flanker Michael Hooper put in a Man of the Match performance, scoring two of his teams tries.

"They were my first Test tries so a good night for me," said Hooper post match.

"Back-to-back wins are terrific and something we have been working towards. Now we have to build further on it in next week's game against the Scots."

Ireland lost Lions flyhalf Jonny Sexton at halftime to a hamstring injury, perhaps changing the flow of things as the Wallabies dominated the second half and pulled away on the scoreboard.

"I felt we had fought our way back into the game at half-time," said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. "Losing Sexton didn't help. Madigan fought really hard but unfortunately the result is what it is."

Things ended on a bit of a sour note as Tevita Kuridrani was sent off for a dangerous spear tackle in the closing minutes. Disciplinary matters were further compounded today with the news that six Wallabies have been handed a one match ban for drinking in the build up to the match.

Nine other players received warnings as more than half of the 32-man squad were out drinking in Dublin on Tuesday night, with festivities going well into Wednesday morning.

"We're setting up the right behaviours and setting the right standards to be competitive at the World Cup and obviously we need to be presenting the right image," said coach Ewen McKenzie.

Ireland host the All Blacks next weekend, while Australia have a meeting with Scotland. 

17 Comments

  • mattyp
    3:01 AM 20/11/2013

    I am of the view that he was not holding the ball. In that case, downward pressure is required to score a try. If you are of the view that he was still "holding" the ball, then we are disagreeing on facts, not law. So be it.

  • themull
    9:45 PM 19/11/2013

    yes but to me it looked like he lost control just as he was grounding it meaning the ball was not in his hand when it touched the ground, or at least not in his possession and therefore it was correctly called a knock on to me...

  • finedisregard
    3:05 PM 19/11/2013

    I like Ewen McKenzie's commitment to discipline, but I don't want to live in a world where rugby players can't have some drinks with their teammates on a tour after a big win.

  • connachtman
    12:50 PM 19/11/2013

    Classy running lines by the Aussies, great to see back lines running with the ball in both hands ( I am coaching minis and tell em carry in 2 hands , not tucked under the arm). Very poor irish performance, not taking away from the class of the aussies, New Zealand will spank us BIG time. I lament the fact that the Aviva is so souless, 0 atmosphere, loud music and too many non rugby fansat an the event. Better off watching at the local pub in Dublin.

  • danknapp
    6:23 AM 19/11/2013

    You can see the AFL heritage there!

  • ak-nz
    6:15 AM 19/11/2013

    That's exactly what I thought. I'm really pleased to see the Aussie forwards carry and pass the ball like that, AND score tries. I thought that, and Cooper's running line for his try were exceptional pieces of skill.

    I didn't watch the full match, but the Wallabies appear a bit more composed, particularly from their set piece play, than they have done for large periods this year. It's good to see them (hopefully) on the mend. I'm keen to see how Ireland go against the ABs this weekend, being the last match of their season. The thing I love about Ireland, is their capacity to be a really tenacious side. A home match, against a team on the verge of being the first to earn a perfect season in the professional in era, and who have never lost to them... I think the score might be slightly closer than many think. They certainly showed a lot of passion in the second test last year and against the Aussies at the WC. Something that the All Blacks will have to respect. I've been looking forward to this test for a while now, can't wait.

  • juggernauter
    3:02 AM 19/11/2013

    Wow how's that for skill by Fardy? Ball in two hands, fend, switch hands, out of the back pass. Exceptional.

  • flanker2712
    12:15 AM 19/11/2013

    A similar score? I'm Irish and I'd happily take that!

  • mastersa
    11:13 PM 18/11/2013

    Touring is not what it used to be. You can't even have a pint in Ireland 3 nights before a match with the following day officially off work? I think Ireland need a couple of rules also.
    1. No kicking balls within 100 metres of Falou.
    2. Don't believe the hype about your own scrum.
    3. Only give the ball to another waring green
    4. No napping when they are overlapping.

  • totesmcgoates
    10:14 PM 18/11/2013

    Suspended players are Adam Ashley Cooper, Nick Cummins, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Paddy Ryan and Liam Gill.

    Written warnings for Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Saia Fainga'a, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps and verbals for Scott Fardy, Mike Harris, Ben McCalman and Nic White.

    Not many first team players in there (especially considering AAC is out with a shoulder injury anyway) but it has impacted the bench a fair bit. The Honey Badger is a big loss though.

  • totesmcgoates
    9:57 PM 18/11/2013

    If Australia were out on the town on Tuesday then Ireland must have been on an all week bender...

  • ando
    9:54 PM 18/11/2013

    Haha that's just what I was thinking! Scanned the list for his name - the last of the "Three Amigos" still standing - and was pleasantly surprised to see he wasn't on there. Just maybe he's turned the corner and there's some truth to him maturing as a player - hope so!

  • eddie-g
    8:48 PM 18/11/2013

    Most notable headline from the latest Aussie booze escapade is that Quade Cooper was not among those who were punished.

    Ewen McKenzie, miracle worker.

  • welshosprey
    7:29 PM 18/11/2013

    As great as Sean O'Brien is, he really struggles when the pace gets quicker

  • ando
    5:39 PM 18/11/2013

    Agreed, I can't think of any rugby player that looks more comfortable/capable under the high ball!

  • nja8
    5:32 PM 18/11/2013

    I have never seen an Irish team look so average. Maybe its one season too long for O'Driscoll.

    For people that watched this match... Has there ever been a better full back at receiving high balls than Folau? I think teams are better off trying to counter than kicking to him. He jumps as high as a line out and somehow lands and makes yards every time.

  • besthookerintown
    5:32 PM 18/11/2013

    Well done to the Australia on a terrific win. They played brilliantly and ran the ball well with lots of confidence. Looked dangerous in attack and exploited Ireland well.

    Ireland on the other hands were disgraceful. I've never seen an Irish team play so bad, with so many big names in the team. Not taking away from Australia but their defense was awful throughout and you could park a truck in some of the spaces they were that big.

    NZ will probably be wondering can they better their highest score record of 60-0 against us at the weekend.