The Australian media has reflected on the 27-24 defeat to Ireland as their hopes of a grand slam tour came a cropper at the Aviva Stadium.
Joe Schmidt’s side coped with adversity, losing Seán O’Brien before kick-off before Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne were forced from the action as Ireland came out the right side of a six-try encounter.
‘Like all hangovers, Wallabies' was self-inflicted’ is the headline in the Sydney Morning Herald, who question the progress from the summer whitewash at the hands of England.
“When you watch a performance like the Wallabies rolled out in the Irish capital in their 27-24 loss, you wonder just how much they have learnt from 3-0 series loss to England in June,” writes Paul Cully.
Despite the loss of O’Brien to the backrow, Cully argues that this is an area where Ireland are well stocked and acknowledged the defensive discipline of the hosts.
“The loss of Ireland No. 7 Sean O'Brien just before kick-off was overplayed - Ireland have excellent depth there - but when they also lost fullback Rob Kearney early and then midfield general Jared Payne at half time, their backline was greener than their jerseys.
“The penalty count was 13-3 to the Irish, but the frustrating thing here is that the Wallabies knew this was coming.
“Ireland are a tremendously disciplined team, so this low penalty count is actually not an aberration for them. In both Chicago and Dublin against the All Blacks they conceded just four penalties in each game.”
In the Herald Sun, Christy Doran says it was an impressive showing from the side currently ranked fourth in the world.
“It was a high quality performance from the Irish — particularly during a first half in which three of their backs were injured,” he wrote.
The paper goes through the Australian player ratings with try scorer Dane Haylett-Petty topping the charts with 8.5 with “another near faultless performance”, while out-half Bernard Foley was given an eight despite being “harshly” sin-binned.
Second row Rory Arnold is given the lowest rating, with the Brumbies lock carding a 5.5 on a difficult day at the office.
“Lacked punch with his carries, only managed a hand on Garry Ringrose for Ireland’s second try and was subbed at halftime.”
‘Wallaby Grand Slam hopes gone, and so must be Dean Mumm’ is the headline in sports website The Roar who were none too pleased with the performance of the flanker.
Mumm was sin-binned for a spear tackle on Tadhg Furlong and indeed was fortunate to escape red for the reckless challenge on the prop.
"When Ireland led 17-0 just 20 seconds from half-time, only a Michael Cheika would give his side a ghost of a chance of winning"
“If there were any doubts about Dean Mumm’s future, his spear tackle in the 22nd minute with his team in all sorts of trouble was a sure fire “on your bike”,” writes David Lord.
Lord does praise the performance of Ireland, particularly in their dominant first-half display.
“When Ireland led 17-0 just 20 seconds from half-time, only a Michael Cheika would give his side a ghost of a chance of winning.
“Ireland had 70 per cent possession and 73 per cent territory, they owned the ball and the referee Jerome Garces with 12 penalties to one.
“In fact, the men in green should have led by a whole lot more, but the Wallaby defence was the only part of their game that clicked.”
With the Wallabies now licking their wounds, Lord is expecting the enforced change in the backrow to benefit the team ahead of the tour finale against England.
“With no Mumm, Cheika can return the explosive potential of Lopeti Timani to the starting lineup as number eight, having left him out altogether this morning to make room for Mumm.
“Timani must never be left languishing again.”
