The last time Australia won in Dublin, in November 2013, Joe Schmidt was sitting in the other coaching box having just taken control of an Ireland team in disarray. Declan Kidney had presided over a fifth-place finish in the Six Nations, Ireland’s worst result since the competition was expanded to include Italy. Having steered Leinster to back-to-back Heineken Cup wins, Schmidt was tasked with converting domestic dominance into global supremacy.
His first assignment against tier-one opposition was the visit of the Wallabies. After a “performance without spirit, urgency, or accuracy,” as the Observer’s Eddie Butler concluded, Ireland were spanked 32-15. But Schmidt had a plan and a year later he claimed his first of three Six Nations titles and would leave the post after a win rate of 72% from 76 Tests, a grand slam in 2018 and World Rugby’s coach of the year award for catapulting Ireland to the top of the world rankings for the first time.
It was this résumé that meant he was plucked from his home in New Zealand to take on a job that seemed impossible after Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones had failed. Could Schmidt turn this rag-tag bunch representing a fringe code into something cohesive and competitive?
We now have a definitive answer after an autumn tour with record wins in London and Cardiff and they signed off with a commendable performance in a near-run 22-19 loss. This European trip did not have ended with a clean sweep or any silverware, but it proves, without doubt, that the Wallabies are back. Not quite world-beaters yet, but they’re unrecognisable from the outfit that stumbled out early from the World Cup last year.
This match was always going to be about Schmidt. Before kick-off he was seen mouthing the words to Advance Australia Fair, as if the 59-year-old Kiwi wanted to make sure no one doubted his commitment to the cause. On the pitch his boys in gold personified his ethos and offered a glimpse of how he intends to shape the team over the coming years.
In defence they remained connected and hunted in packs, shunning the rush-defence strategy of South Africa and England in favour of a more pragmatic approach while picking their moments to jackal. Fraser McReight’s stocks soared after another effective game on the deck.
In attack they were just as tight. Short passes found runners off the shoulder as they stacked up phase after phase with Rob Valetini acting as a hefty fulcrum. It was this interplay that laid the platform for Ireland’s dominance under Schmidt and Australia’s boss is evidently backing it to come right again.
An extra layer, though, is provided by some serious athletes who have the electric feet and hands that can break open tight games. These two worlds collided for Max Jorgensen’s try in the first half.
After several stiff carries round the fringe, with runners seeking soft shoulders and aided by swift support at the clear-out, Noah Lolesio hoisted a high kick into Ireland’s 22. Chasing like a cassowary was Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii who leapt in the air and won back possession. From there it went right where Andrew Kellaway came close before it was quickly shifted to the left. Lolesio, on a blind wraparound, worked a yard of space, off-loaded and soon enough Jorgensen was sliding over in the corner.
This is how Australia will set out their stall. This is how Australia will win over lost fans, prove the doubters wrong and provide a bit of weekend entertainment for those who simply enjoy a bit of free-wheeling footy. Structure and patience with the sprinkling of stardust. It’s the work of Jørn Utzon built on top of a foundation of granite.
Admittedly, Ireland were below par, as they have been for most of this autumn. Their own phase-play lacked the precision we have come to expect and there was more than the occasional frustrating spill of the ball before and after contact. Had Ireland been on top form, it’s conceivable that Australia’s best would not have been enough to make a game of it.
Even so, this signifies a dramatic turn in fortunes for the Wallabies although we should not be surprised. Schmidt earned his stripes by steadying sinking ships before launching ambitious campaigns that ended in glory. Australia may not be ready to beat the truly best teams just yet, but they are getting closer.
