Legends all say same thing despite Wallabies’ 60-year low

Wallabies legends are all saying the same thing, despite the Aussies falling to a 60-year low on Sunday morning.

Wallabies legends are all saying the same thing after the Aussies went close to outmuscling Ireland in Sunday morning’s Test in Dublin.

The Wallabies have looked a different team under coach Joe Schmidt and the bravery showed by the men in gold has impressed many, despite the final scoreboard favouring Ireland 22-19.

“Proud” was the most common word being thrown around by Wallabies legends, despite the Lansdowne Road defeat marking Ireland’s fourth consecutive victory over Australia.

This has not been seen since the 1960s.

The Wallabies, however, will be returning to Australia with their heads held high.

Wallabies icon Matt Giteau wrote on Twitter: “Super test match. Gutted for our boys.

“If this tour has proved anything it’s shown that the (British and Irish) Lions series next year will be a cracker! Rest up boys and enjoy the break. Super proud to be a Wallaby.”

Wallabies legend Lote Tuqiri posted: “A ton of heart from the Wallabies

in Dublin!

“They’ve come a long way in 12 months. Promising signs for next year.”

Adam Ashley-Cooper wrote: “Very proud of these boys”.

Rugby commentator Jordan Patu posted: “If you’re an Aussie rugby fan you have to be VERY encouraged by the growth the Wallabies have shown under Joe Schmidt this season”.

Rugby fan Matt Ward wrote: “Congratulations Ireland. Fought back well in the 2nd half

“Wallabies - really great effort. So much to be proud of! Tane Edmed - incredibly bad luck. Roll on the Lions - we’ll be waiting.”

Rugby journalist Christy Doran wrote: “Ireland pip the Wallabies 22-19 in Dublin. The Lions will walk it over the Wallabies Down Under? Not so fast.

Players of Australia look dejected as they leave the field. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images.

“Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies finish with six wins from 13 Tests in 2014. It’s a year the Wallabies won back some respect.”

Another fan posted: “Ireland earned it. Great job Wallabies, still a good match and you should be proud”.

Ireland also showed character to deny their former coach a winning return to the iconic Dublin venue in a scrappy encounter.

The hosts outscored the Wallabies three tries to one to give head coach Andy Farrell a victorious farewell before he takes charge of the British & Irish Lions next year.

It also crowned a memorable day for Cian Healy, who became Ireland’s most capped player with 134 when he came on as a replacement in what was also a match commemorating Irish Rugby’s 150th anniversary.

“There’s relief, but there’s also enjoyment there, too,” Ireland captain Caelan Doris told TNT Sports.

“It’s a quality side, they are Joe Schmidt-coached and we knew it was going to be top class.”

The Wallabies took the lead when Joe McCarthy was penalised — but spared a sin-binning — and Noah Lolesio slotted over the penalty.

The Irish were making elementary handling errors, Australia-born prop Finlay Bealham guilty of two sloppy knock ons.

A scrappy opening 20 minutes was brightened somewhat by a superb Australian try. Sam Prendergast produced a brilliant try-saving tackle on Andrew Kellaway but the Wallabies kept possession and spread it out to the other wing where Max Jorgensen was free to touch down.

Lolesio converted brilliantly from the touchline for 10-0.

The score appeared to wake the hosts up and they got back into it as Josh van der Flier crashed over for his 13th Test try in the 23rd minute.

Ireland were too good. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images.

Prendergast’s conversion attempt was a wild one leaving the Wallabies 10-5 up. The Irish enjoyed their best spell of the match since the opening minutes but a loose pass into touch by James Lowe and then an Aussie turnover by Tom Wright prevented them adding to their tally.

The handling errors were mounting for the Irish, Lowe’s knock on their eighth in the first half hour.

This allowed the Wallabies to clear and cut through the Irish defence, Robbie Henshaw did very well to get to touch the ball down over their tryline ahead of Kellaway.

Prendergast saved the Irish from conceding another try after a pass from captain Caelan Doris was picked off by prop Taniela Tupou.

Tupou showed remarkable pace before an over the shoulder pass was gratefully snaffled by Prendergast, but he was penalised for not releasing the ball.

Lolesio converted the penalty for 13-5.

Again Irish sloppiness cost them as a lost lineout — their second of the half — metres from the Wallabies line allowed the visitors to clear their line.

Schmidt went for his half-time talk the happier man with his one-time apprentice Farrell needing some sharp words for his players after an underwhelming display.

The Wallabies are on the way up. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images.

Farrell, Doris added, said “that there was a lot more in us. It was our inaccuracy and not getting back to neutral after mistakes”.

The Irish got the first score of the second period, Prendergast landing a long range penalty for 13-8.

This was a vastly-improved Irish team, Doris going over under the posts as the clock ticked towards the half hour to go mark.

Prendergast converted Doris’s eighth Test try to put the hosts ahead, 15-13, for the first time in the match.

Lolesio restored the Wallabies lead with a penalty in front of the posts and added another just after the hour mark for 19-15.

The Irish had lost their early vim of the second-half and Farrell threw on the Munster half-back pairing of Jack Crowley and Craig Casey with 14 minutes to go.

A minute later Healy came on to raise the biggest roar of the game as the 37-year-old prop became Ireland’s most capped player, edging ahead of the retired Brian O’Driscoll.

Crowley and Casey injected some much-needed momentum into the Irish attack. Crowley’s delightful grubber kick gained the Irish a line-out close to the Australian line and was rounded off with replacement hooker Gus McCarthy touching down.

Crowley converted to put the hosts 22-19 ahead.

The Aussies pressed but a knock on by the previously excellent Wright had Farrell roaring with a mix of relief and joy in the coaches’ box.

— with AFP

Originally published as Legends all say same thing despite Wallabies’ 60-year low