Sunday, June 15, 2008
Australia pushed all the way by Ireland in Melbourne
A 15-7 halftime lead had the Wallabies in control, but Ireland came back strongly and threatened to ruin the party for the home team with some great play by fullback Rob Kearney and loose forwards Jamie Heaslip and Stephen Ferris in particular.
Australia looked rusty, and why wouldnt they, after assembling only 12 days before the start of their international season, with their coach having joined the squad shortly after masterminding another successful Crusaders Super 14 win.
All credit to the Irish though, who proved theyre no pushovers and through a lack of precision just werent good enough on the night.
To get through that, there was some good defence. It looked tenuous at times but that's the nature of Test rugby: it's never one-way traffic, said Wallabies coach Deans.
They will be sore this morning. It's a good feeling when you wake up sore and know you've done the business.
You have to work hard for a Test win. You never get given a Test victory. It was gutsy stuff.
Ireland dominated the closing stages, but Australia held firm to keep out the Irish who will feel that this was another one that got away.
All four tries are shown in this clip.
Time: 05:10
Posted at 11:23 am | 23 comments
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Viewing 23 comments
nick June 15, 2008 11:12 am
C'MON AUSSIE!!!!!!!!!!! i gotta say if this is anything too go by the wallabies will kick arse this season!!!! it was a great game of rugby , bloody phisical and i'll give credit too the irish , they really stood up, o'driscols try went forward on carneys pass though, reminded me of the french one against the all blacks in the world cup! next up the walllabies will smash the frogs!!!!!!!!!!!1
Lachlan June 15, 2008 11:25 am
Great highlights. I'd love to see a clip of Lote Tuqiri's tackle in the final minute. Nearly killed the poor Irishman who was on the receiving end of it.
Anonymous June 15, 2008 11:53 am
i liked the pint of beer that comes out in the bottom of the screen when a try is scored!
Hunter June 15, 2008 12:13 pm
The first 30 minutes was really exceptional stuff from the Wallabies.I agree with Lachlan, that Tuqiri shot is a must see!
Richard June 15, 2008 12:15 pm
Well I think we're on the road to 'de-eddifying' Ireland. If you looked at our defense it was a lot more aggressive than before. We were rushing up and putting pressure on them. Again our lineout screwed up, I still can't understand why Flannery can throw near perfect for Munster yet when it comes to Ireland he disappears. Although we lost both tests it is looking slightly more positive than after the world cup and six nations. Australia have improved a lot, looks like Deans has made a big impact.
TheFullback June 15, 2008 12:22 pm
We've had two good chances to topple two of the biggest sides in world rugby in their won back yards and we just wern't good enough. It's an improvement though, so I guess the future looks bright...-er
el ninio June 15, 2008 1:42 pm
kearny playd pretty sick, irsh hav sum gurd young playrs coming thru the ranks, how nice was giteaus lil bita play 2 set up that try btw
Dave June 15, 2008 3:14 pm
man Australia sucks at rugby, Ireland should have taken that match
Anonymous June 15, 2008 4:16 pm
Ireland should have won.Australia spent only 20 secs in irish 22 with possession but were more clinical I suppose.Still, how were Ireland not awarded a penalty try when Cameron Shepherd killed the ball? There was anothe Irish try (scored by Heaslip) that was ruled out for a 50-50 forward pass so I guess it balances out.The ref let Aussies away with murder at breakdown but pinged Ireland immediately, same as scrum.Ireland had 70% possession and territory but misfiring lineout, one awful scrum near line,lack of Irish cilinical finishing,Aussie clinical finsihing and a poor ref all contributed to yet another agonising loss that should have been a victory
flyingoutside June 15, 2008 4:47 pm
The ref was a disgrace he let the aussies away with to much during the game. I think he left his cards at home.The Aussies weren't great but there are only starting but have work to do.Besides the Ref ireland played well and deserved to win but it looks more promising for when Kidney steps in and cleans up shop
Chazza June 15, 2008 5:16 pm
Does Any one know the Aussie Line up 1-15 it would be a help cheers
sambobly June 15, 2008 9:13 pm
Actually, Cameron Shepherd didn't hold onto the ball over the line. If you slow the play down, you will see that one of the Irish players actually fell over the ball, sealing it off. At full speed it did look like a penalty though.
Eoghan June 15, 2008 10:42 pm
Enjoyable match. O'Driscoll had a bit of a shocker which was disappointing - bombing a certain try with a shocking pass.Kearney was AWESOME. Without a doubt the most threatening person, and such a big unit too.Both teh Australian debutants had great games too, Burgess and Hynes both played really well.How about the 2 majestic offloads from the australians? Great to watch. The interviews at the end fo the match from teh captains were both good, Paul O'Connell seems like a genuine good bloke.
Third Centre June 16, 2008 12:09 am
BOD really needs a break from rugby he looks completely exhausted. Kearney was just immense and I was gutted to see Jennings come off but Ferris put in some huge hits.Australia's defense was exceptional, they really pushed the Irish team back with their tackling. Any one else think the ref had a howler ? Particularly at the breakdown
James June 16, 2008 8:28 am
agreed that tuqiris hit on flannery i think it was, was exceptional in the final minute. flannery stayed down for a while!!! well played both teams, enjoyable match!
Third Centre June 16, 2008 11:42 am
Eh i thought offensive messages by anonymous were taken down RD ? Can't have this kind of crap on the boards
Rugbydump June 16, 2008 1:21 pm
Third Centre, Apologies for that. We do what we can, but understandably cannot read every comment all the time, so miss them at times. Just drop us a simple mail in future if you spot something like that again. Cheers
conor877 June 23, 2008 11:46 am
I agree,thought Kearney was produced some sublime rugby.RD any chance of seeing some of his attacks?
Anonymous June 25, 2008 3:07 pm
Cameron Shepherd clearly held onto the ball on his own line.Two Irish players were on their feet trying to rip the ball off him for a full 5 seconds before any support arrived.Even the Aussies admitted that was a yellow card and a penalty try.What ii with these truly crap referees?!?!?!
Anonymous June 27, 2008 3:20 pm
aswell as taqiris tackle i think rob kearneys run is even more of a must see!!!!
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