What we learned from Australia’s loss in the second Test to Ireland in Melbourne

THE Irish thoroughly deserved their victory in a true battle between the world’s second and third ranked sides. So where did it go wrong for the Wallabies?

Keith Earles and Garry Ringrose of Ireland tackle Israel Folau of the Wallabies during the Second Test between Australia and Ireland at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Saturday, June 16, 2018. (AAP Image/Mark Dadswell) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

THE Irish won their first Test against the Wallabies on Australian soil since 1979 and thoroughly deserved it with an inspired, urgent display.

The Wallabies struggled on limited possession and smothered chances, including a desperate 11-phase roll of the dice in the final two minutes.

So what did we learn with the series heading to a brilliant third Test decider in Sydney next Saturday night.

Cool and composed Johnny Sexton controlled the second Test. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

1 Discipline is a killer. Much of it had to do with Irish pressure but conceding 15 penalties really hurt because it allowed sharpshooter Johnny Sexton to bang over four of his five shots at penalty goal. Two loose Samu Kerevi ball flings were ill-disciplined moments too. It was magnified by Marika Koroibete being yellow carded for turning a good tackle into a costly lifting tackle. The Irish were clinical with a matchwinning 13-0 surge over that 10 minute period.

MATCH REPORT: Historic Irish victory forces decider

PLAYER RATINGS: Ugly numbers for big name Wallabies

2 No consistency. After all the physicality that dominated the first Test for the Wallabies seven days earlier, it was the Irish who dictated with a green blur of jerseys smothering in defence with their superior line speed, much better ruck precision for quick ball and forcing the little errors to trip the Aussies. The Irish dominated with 57 per cent of the ball but it was over 70 per cent to the hour mark.

Tadgh Furlong barges over for an Irish try. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

3 Where was the Aussie Tadhg Furlong? Remarkably, the 126kg Irish prop ran for more metres (77m) than any other player on the winning team from 12 runs plus a try. The go-forward upfront was lacking from the Wallabies but credit to the Irish for wrestling ascendancy there.

Israel Folau couldn’t work his way into the game.

4 The Wallabies still scored three tries-to-two and there was plenty of heart and fight to everything they did. They fought back from 26-14 with just over four minutes to play and gave themselves a chance to steal it at the end. The Irish were also smart and didn’t give weapon Israel Folau any free kick-returns to hurt them. It was a true Test clash between No. 2 and No. 3 in the world.

Taniela Tupou played strongly and scored a try for the Wallabies. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

5 A good lift from the finishers. Prop Taniela Tupou, with another strong scrum, a try and an energetic workrate, was again a big asset. Replacement backrower Lukhan Tui won four lineouts and hooker Tolu Latu added punch.

Originally published as What we learned from Australia’s loss in the second Test to Ireland in Melbourne