While Ireland can rightfully bask in the glory of a first series victory on Australian soil in almost 40 years, it looked a different picture after 80 minutes in Brisbane. And well Jordan Larmour knows it.
The Leinster man capped on a scarcely believable debut season in professional rugby with a fine display off the bench as Ireland edged to a 20-16 win in Sydney to claim the series 2-1.
Most players would happily take provincial and international debuts in their maiden campaign, but Larmour has added the Pro14, Champions Cup, Six Nations grand slam and now the series win to his achievements in 2017/18, and played his part in each and every success.
Larmour replaced Rob Kearney with little over 20 minutes remaining and a superb high catch as well as some stellar defensive work marked his night’s work.
However the 21-year-old says the team has built on the criticism that came their way following the 18-9 loss at the Suncorp Stadium which put Michael Cheika’s side in the driving seat, something which stood them in good stead for the second-half Wallaby onslaught which yielded just seven points.
"We talked during the week a lot about our energy and bounce e especially in our own 22," he told RTÉ Sport’s Michael Corcoran.
"Our physicality was questioned after the first Test, we knew we had to right that and not let them in. Everyone was working hard to let the opportunity to make history pass us.
"We had to keep digging deep, going to those dark places. We trained pretty hard during the week and put ourselves under pressure so we are prepared for these games."
The visitors rode their luck at times and Ireland’s final score, Johnny Sexton’s fifth penalty two minutes from time pushed the advantage to four points with the clock ticking down.
It was a marginal call by referee Pascal Gauzere and Larmour says they got the rub of the green.
"It could have gone either way. It was fortunate the call went the right way for us and we got the win."
