Joe Schmidt is predicting a “combative” final two Tests against Australia after his Ireland side suffered a first defeat in over a year in a tight and tense opening match in Brisbane.
Three Joey Carbery penalties had given the NatWest 6 Nations champions the advantage following a first-half Bernard Foley try but they could not hold against the two-time world champions – who won 18-9.
David Pocock’s score at the end of a dominant five-minute spell late in the game proved decisive for the hosts, and there was further frustration at the end for Ireland with Kieran Marmion having a try ruled out.
“It was a pretty close affair, I think we got close a number of times but we got called for knock-ons,” Schmidt said.
“It is building for a combative and competitive series, we just have to get on the right side of the scoreboard next week.
“I thought our line-out was good and we put good pressure on them but I thought at scrum time we did not get what we were looking for so we have to work on that.
“A couple of times we opened them really well but at the same time they got through us.”
It is Ireland’s first Test defeat since losing to Wales in March 2017 and snaps a 12-match winning streak but hopes of securing the three-match series are far from over and they will travel to Melbourne encouraged by some aspects of their display.
At a raucous Suncorp Stadium, Australia settled quickly with Israel Folau typically assured under the high ball and robust in attack.
Foley got the first points of the match from the kicking tee but Carbery matched him minutes later, as Ireland proved they would not be overawed.
However, Australia’s attacking fluency caused problems all game and it took a stunning Jacob Stockdale tackle to deny Marika Koroibete in the corner following a flowing passing move out left.
Despite being under the cosh, Ireland took the lead through another Carbery penalty but the Wallabies led at half-time thanks to Foley.
Wing Koroibete wreaked havoc down the left and the quick-thinking Will Genia found a free Foley on the blindside to score.
Ireland almost hit back after the break when rampaging No.8 CJ Stander blasted through the Wallabies’ defence but just as he approached the line, he was taken down and held up.
A third Carbery penalty put Ireland 9-8 ahead shortly after and they had a reprieve when a Folau try was ruled out for a tackle off the ball.
Foley kicked Australia two points ahead in the 70th minute and Pocock scored shortly after, muscling his way over from another Genia pass from close range.
That put the hosts nine points clear and they saw that out to full-time, although Marmion was disallowed a try for a knock-on with the final play.
