Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was as candid as ever in his appraisal of Ireland's poor performance in the 32-15 defeat to Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Schmidt's side shipped four tries as the Wallabies put together back-to-back victories for the first time this year after their victory over Italy last week, with man-of-the match Michael Hooper capping a dominant display at openside flanker with his first two international tries.
Ireland continually kicked down the throat of outstanding Australia fullback Israel Folau, who launched numerous counter-attacks in accumulating over 100 metres with the ball during the 80 minutes.
After going in at the break just three points behind at 15-12, Ireland lost outhalf Jonathan Sexton to a hamstring injury and then saw Australia score an early second-half try from mercurial Quade Cooper. The outhalf also slotted over two penalties, with Hooper claiming his second try on 68 minutes to put the game to bed.
Ireland’s defence was caught out badly for all four of the tries and Schmidt admitted it was just one area where his side fell short on the night.
“I think it was more than the defence, we probably didn’t kick as well as we needed to. We often had to kick under pressure and I thought Israel Folau was very dominant in the air and it didn’t allow us to get any ball back when we were trying to clear our own area,” said Schmidt.
“We struggled a bit at set piece, turned over our first lineout, turned over another one when we had the opportunity to drive at the line and maybe get back into the game.
“I felt just before half-time we’d fought our way back into the game. The defending wasn’t good enough for their two tries but from 15-3 we fought our way back to 15-12.
"After half-time losing Johnny didn't help our organisation, but saying that it's valuable experience for Ian Madigan. I thought he fought really hard in the position he was put into but unfortunately the result is what it is and the Australians deserved it."
Schmidt said he will have to wait until his medical staff can assess Sexton's injury, but was more positive over Rob Kearney, who went off late in the game after taking a heavy knock.
“It is a hamstring injury (Sexton’s) and I’m not sure what grade of injury it is at the moment. We’ll find that out over the next 48 hours I guess. Rob, I think he’s okay, he was a little bit winded there and he’s a bit tender in the ribs but I’m hopeful that he will be okay. I think at that stage we were looking to be more precautionary than leave him out there and put him at the risk of a knock.”
The former Leinster coach will have an extra day to get his side together for next Sunday’s visit of the All Blacks, who will be chasing a 14th straight win to go the whole year without a Test defeat.
“We know how good they are, we knew how good the Australians were and all we can do is prepare as best we can. That will start with trying to recover from this game over the next 48 hours and then trying to get together and have a look what we need to improve on and then try and forge ahead from there.
“It’s going to a very tough ask but there’s a fair bit of character in the side and hopefully they come back and keep the supporters interested next week. “
