Australian rugby’s history books may record a 22-19 defeat in Dublin to end 2024, but it will not tell the full story of an extremely brave Wallabies’ performance that has shown just how much pride has been restored in the team ahead of the arrival of the British and Irish Lions next year.
The Wallabies gave the second-ranked team in the world nightmares in Dublin, inspired by breakaway Fraser McReight and his refusal to be bullied at the breakdown.
After a cagey opening between both sides, the Wallabies raced into a 10-0 lead after an early Noah Lolesio penalty and superbly taken Max Jorgensen try, built on some outstanding aerial work from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii challenging a high-kick from halfback Jake Gordon.
Indeed, every time Suaalii touched the ball, he attracted multiple Irish defenders, providing space for his backline to exploit.
Ireland’s response was quick and fierce, stretching the Wallabies’ drift defence to its limit, with winger Andrew Kellaway constantly having to mop danger with last-ditch tackles around the edges of the field.
Ireland’s former world player of the year and potential candidate for the Lions’ starting team at breakaway Josh van der Flier crashed over for a try that hinted at further difficulties for the Wallabies.
Wallabies defenders swarm IrelandCredit: Getty Images
The inclusion of McReight allowed the Wallabies to compete with Ireland’s world-class back row, winning two crucial turnovers in the opening stages, reminding his opponents of his quality ahead of next year’s Lions tour.
Taniela Tupou gave the Wallabies desperately needed stability in the scrum after the late loss of Angus Bell to illness and rampaged up the field with the ball after an interception, that could have led to a try if the prop had looked up to see Suaalii on his left shoulder.
Both Ireland and the Wallabies enjoyed intricate attacking phases, and it felt like watching Schmidt and Farrell exchanging moves at the card table. After the defeat to Scotland the week before, it was clear that Schmidt had left some aces on his attacking deck up his sleeve for Dublin late in November.
A penalty from Lolosio helped the Wallabies end the half with an eight-point lead, belying the team’s expected fatigue after three games against England, Scotland and Wales and their short six-day turnaround.
The Aviva Stadium had been largely silenced by the Wallabies’ impressive first-half efforts, but the crowd found its voice with an early penalty and a converted try for Ireland captain Caelan Doris who crashed over to give the home side a two-point lead for the first time in the game, after the Wallabies were unable to keep absorbing sustained pressure .
Lolosio was exceptional off the kicking tee, responding with two valuable penalties to put the Wallabies back into the lead, helped by the incredible performance by breakaway McReight, who refused to be bullied at the breakdown and came up with the ball when his team needed him most.
The Wallabies embrace after the game in DublinCredit: AP
Entering the last ten minutes and defending a slim four-point lead, the Wallabies defended desperately, with Kellaway holding up the ball over the try line, but minutes later, after fullback Tom Wright took the ball over the line, Ireland’s rookie hooker Gus McCarthy scored from a rolling maul from an attacking lineout metres out from the line to cruelly put the game beyond reach.
Last Sunday against Scotland, the Wallabies had taken a slight step backwards after bounding forward with victories against England and Wales on the Spring tour. In Ireland, the momentum was well and truly restored.
The Wallabies’ in-tray of challenges in 2025 is significant, headlined by the arrival of the British and Irish Lions. The immediate priority is to secure the services of Schmidt until the 2027 World Cup, after this performance, the master coach may well have seen enough to keep going for another two years.
