The last time Australia won in Dublin, in November 2013, Joe Schmidt was sitting in the other coaching box having just taken charge of an Ireland team in disarray. Declan Kidney oversaw a fifth-place finish in the Six Nations, Ireland’s worst finish since the competition was expanded to include Italy. After guiding Leinster to back-to-back Heineken Cup victories, Schmidt was tasked with turning domestic dominance into global supremacy.
His first assignment against top-tier opposition was away to the Wallabies. After “a performance without spirit, urgency or accuracy”, as the Observer’s Eddie Butler concluded, Ireland were hammered 32-15. But Schmidt had a plan and a year later he won his first of three Six Nations titles and would leave the post after winning 72% of 76 Tests, a grand slam in 2018. and the World Rugby Coach of the Year award for catapulting Ireland to the top of the world rankings for the first time.
It was this CV 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 failed. Can Schmidt turn this ragtag bunch of fringe code into something cohesive and competitive?
We now have a definite answer after the autumn tour with record wins in London and Cardiff and they put in a commendable performance in almost losing 22-19. This European trip didn’t end with a clean sweep or any silverware, but it certainly proves that the wallabies are back. Still not world leaders, but they are unrecognizable from the team that stumbled early from last year’s World Cup.
This match was always going to be for 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 would doubt his commitment to the cause. On the field, his boys in gold epitomized his ethos and gave a glimpse of how he intends to shape the team in the coming years.
Defensively, they stayed connected and chased in packs, eschewing the quick defense strategy of South Africa and England in favor of a more pragmatic approach, while picking their moments to jackal. Fraser McReight’s stock soared after another effective deck play.
They were just as tight in attack. Short passes found runners off the shoulder as they lined up phase after phase with Rob Valletini acting as a powerful pivot. It was this interplay that set the platform for Ireland’s dominance under Schmidt and the Australia boss is clearly backing him to get right again.
An extra layer, however, is provided by some serious athletes who have electric legs and arms that can break through tight plays. Those two worlds collided with Max Jorgensen’s first-half try.
After some hard carries around the edge, with runners looking for soft shoulders and aided by quick clearance support, Noah Lolezio lifted a high kick into Ireland’s 22. Chased like a cassowary was Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, who leapt into the air and regained possession. From there it went right to where Andrew Kellaway approached before it was quickly moved to the left. Lolessio, on a blind wrap, worked a yard of space, offloaded and before long Jorgensen slid into the corner.
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This is how Australia will set up its stand. Here’s how Australia will win back lost fans, prove the doubters wrong and provide some weekend entertainment for those who just enjoy a bit of freewheeling. Structure and patience with a sprinkling of stardust. It is the work of Jørn Utzon, built on a granite foundation.
Admittedly, Ireland were below par, as they have been for most of this autumn. Their own phase play lacked the precision we expected, and there was more than the occasional frustrating throw of the ball before and after contact. If Ireland were on top form, Australia’s best might not be enough to make a game of it.
However, it marks a dramatic turn in the fortunes of the Wallabies, although we shouldn’t be surprised. Schmidt earns his stripes by supporting sinking ships before embarking on ambitious campaigns that end in glory. Australia may not yet be ready to beat the truly top teams, but they are getting closer.
