Wallabies suffer third successive narrow defeat in 13-10 loss to Ireland

If Wallabies supporters didn’t laugh they’d cry after their team snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Ireland - something they’ve become masters of.

The Wallabies have suffered their third successive loss. Picture: Getty Images

Anyone looking for a Christmas gift with a difference this year?

How about a copy of the world’s thinnest book?

It hasn’t been published yet but it does have a working title: “The secrets behind the Wallabies’ winning ways”

Just kidding, no-one writes fantasy novels filled with empty pages, but after the Wallabies shot themselves in the foot again, a little dose of sarcasm is desperately needed because it’s getting easier to laugh than cry.

For the Wallabies‘ loyal but long-suffering supporters, the team’s inability to win tight matches is becoming a running joke.

Once the pride of the nation, the Wallabies have become masters of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory because of their complete lack of self control.

Already the most penalised team in the international game, the Wallabies butchered a golden chance to upset Ireland in Dublin on Sunday morning.

Close, but no cigar, they went down 13–10 in a nailbiter.

Ireland players celebrate as Ireland's Bundee Aki (hidden) scores a try. Picture: Paul Faith / AFP

There was no real shame in that because the Irish are the No. 1 ranked team in the world right now and on a roll but it was yet another missed opportunity for an Australian team that just seems to find new ways to lose.

The only consistent is the team’s lack of discipline. When the heat is on, they implode every time.

There is a separate argument to be had about rugby’s current laws - which have become so pedantic they are ruining the flow of the game and turning matches into yawnfests - but everyone knows the rules, so there‘s no excuse for repeat offenders.

Four times in the first half against Ireland, Australian players were penalised for neck rolls, with referee Ben O’Keefe finally running out of patience and sending Folau Fainga’a to the bin just before the interval.

Even right at the death, when the Wallabies had a chance to steal victory, the Wallabies’ gave away a penalty when Jake Gordon was pinged for offside.

In isolation, they were all relatively minor infringements, but collectively they are contributing to a looming crisis that has piled pressure on head coach Dave Rennie.

The Wallabies have lost nine of their 13 Test matches in 2022, including six of their past seven, and with the start of the next World Cup now less than 10 months away, time is running out to turn the ship around.

Australia players look on after the final whistle after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory - again. Picture: Paul Faith / AFP

By his own admission, Rennie knows the buck stops with him and he needs to start chalking up more wins. His winning strike rate during his three years in charge is a pathetic 36%.

Plenty of other coaches with better records have been fired and tere are growing whispers that Rennie’s future may hinge on the outcome of Australia’s final match against Wales next weekend.

The Welsh are in an even bigger hole than the Wallabies’ right now but that only adds to the weight of expectation on the Australians because another loss would be disastrous.

Although a second-string Wallabies side suffered an embarrassing first-ever defeat to Italy last weekend, Wales lost at home to Georgia on Sunday.

The Wallabies simply have to beat Wales next weekend, which means selecting the best possible team.

Rennie has been chopping and changing his lineups ever since he replaced Michael Cheika but the time for tinkering has long gone because his best players need time to build combinations.

No more excuses. It’s time the Wallabies turned the page.

‘LITTERED WITH ERRORS’: LATE PENALTY COSTS WALLABIES IN DRAMATIC LOSS

Bundee Aki scored a try on his return from suspension to help Ireland beat Australia 13-10 and secure a record-equalling 12th home Test success at Lansdowne Road on Saturday despite missing talismanic captain Johnny Sexton.

A late penalty by Ross Byrne separated the two sides in a dramatic climax to a match littered with errors.

The Irish will enter the World Cup year ranked number one in the world and are the first team since England in 2002 to defeat the All Blacks, the Springboks and the Wallabies in a calendar year.

England went on to win the World Cup in 2003 but based on this performance the Irish will need to up their game significantly even to make the semi-finals for the first time.

For Australia it was a third successive narrow defeat in the Autumn Nations Series - having lost by a point both to France and then in an historic defeat to Italy.

Sexton had been ruled out shortly before the teams came out having injured his calf muscle in the warm-up.

Australian players react after the final whistle in their loss to Ireland. Picture: AFP Images

Sexton’s replacement at fly-half Jack Crowley passed his first test by converting a penalty to give the hosts the lead after a nervy opening.

Veteran Australian fly-half Bernard Foley missed a great chance to level the match in the 21st minute but his penalty went wide of the posts - summing up a rather scrappy opening quarter.

The Australians looked the most dangerous of the two sides when they had possession and wing Mark Nawaqanitawase took the eye in particular.

Jordan Petaia also made a defence splitting run but was brought to ground and in the process lost a boot - he valiantly tried to continue as the Wallabies kept possession but was slipping and sliding all over the place.

Superb Irish defence, though, kept the Australians at bay and finally after 26 phases of play Caelan Doris forced a turnover allowing them to clear.

However, the Irish then let the Australians off the hook by conceding a penalty inside the visitors 22 -- referee Ben O’Keeffe telling both captains that another tackle round the neck would result in a yellow card.

O’Keeffe’s warning fell on deaf ears with Folau Fainga’a who got Josh van der Flier round the neck and was shown the yellow card without too much standing on ceremony four minutes from the break.

Irish players react after scoring a crucial try. Picture: AFP Images

The Irish were unable to add to their lead before Nic White kicked into touch to signal the end of the first-half.

The Australia scrum-half received a shoulder barge from Irish prop Andrew Porter which resulted in a face-off but like the first-half it was all rather tame.

The second-half took a while to warm up and Foley levelled the match 15 minutes in with a sweetly-struck penalty.

The Irish finally put an incisive attack together - spear-headed by Doris - Aki rounding it off.

Crowley converted for 10-3 with just over 12 minutes remaining. The visitors, though, hit back as Petaia went on his own despite an overlap and touched down -- Foley converted for 10-10 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Irish, though, retook the lead when Ross Byrne, who had come on for Crowley, kept his nerve and landed a penalty with less than four minutes to play.

There looked set to be a late twist as the Australians pressed deep in Irish territory but twice they surrendered possession and it was with some relief that the Irish greeted the final whistle.

Originally published as Wallabies suffer third successive narrow defeat in 13-10 loss to Ireland