Joe Schmidt: Australia nonetheless have work to do forward of subsequent yr’s Lions collection | BreakingNews.ie

Australia boss Joe Schmidt is optimistic subsequent summer time’s British and Irish Lions collection might be aggressive following an agonising 22-19 defeat to Andy Farrell’s Eire in Dublin.

Former Eire head coach Schmidt appeared set to take pleasure in a memorable return to the Aviva Stadium earlier than Gus McCarthy’s late attempt snatched victory for the hosts.

The Wallabies, who endured a depressing 2023 World Cup underneath Eddie Jones, don’t play one other Take a look at match earlier than the primary of three showdowns with Farrell’s Lions subsequent summer time.

Following wins over England and Wales and a defeat to Scotland this month, Schmidt believes there are encouraging indicators from his staff however concedes there’s loads to work on looking forward to 2025.

Simply brief 💚💛

Nicely performed, @IrishRugby 🤝#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/njue0KHtLZ

— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 30, 2024

“Possibly not but,” he replied, when requested if his squad are able to tackle the Lions.

“However I feel – and I hope – our supporters and supporters of the Lions can see sufficient in what we’ve delivered in these final 4 weeks to assume that they’re going to be entertained and that it’s going to be a contest.

“That’s what I’d like to see; perhaps not but, we’ve nonetheless obtained some work to do, for certain.

“There have been instances tonight the place we’ve nonetheless obtained some guys who’ve solely performed a few Exams they usually’re nonetheless studying, they usually’re not going to get a number of studying so far as Take a look at matches are involved subsequent yr however the Tremendous Rugby window might be nice for them, to construct once more.

“The Tremendous Rugby coaches, I speak to them usually and we’re going to attempt to maintain constructing that momentum, and by the point the Lions arrive, I’m hoping you’ll see a Wallaby staff worthy of taking them on head on.”

Alternative hooker McCarthy touched down seven minutes from time to make sure Eire boss Farrell signed off for his interval of go away with the Lions in victorious style.

Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris additionally crossed for the Six Nations champions on a landmark afternoon when Cian Healy moved forward of Brian O’Driscoll because the nation’s outright most-capped participant and Irish rugby marked its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.

Australia had threatened to spoil the celebration and led for almost all of an engrossing encounter, together with 13-5 at half-time, because of Max Jorgensen’s rating and 4 penalties and a conversion from fly-half Noah Lolesio.

“We had sufficient possession and territory to win the sport twice over within the first half and we spilled sufficient ball and made sufficient errors within the first half to lose two matches as effectively,” stated Farrell.

“We have been feeling sorry for ourselves (at half-time) however you’ve no proper to assume that every part’s going to go your individual approach, all singing, all dancing the entire time. So with that in thoughts, we obtained over ourselves and I assumed we got here again sturdy.

“The massive image of the sport is that I’m actually pleased with the victory as a result of it was hard-fought in the long run in opposition to a little bit of adversity, so delighted to get the win.”

File breaker. Legend. Church 🐐#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/eI5jR2otlM

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 30, 2024

Farrell, whose staff have additionally overwhelmed Argentina and Fiji this November following a gap loss to New Zealand, will hand the reins to defence coach Simon Easterby throughout his Lions sabbatical.

“It appears like I’m occurring vacation – and that’s not the case, I can assure you that,” stated Farrell.

“I’m not leaving. I reside in Sandymount, 10 minutes away (from the Aviva Stadium) – I’m not going anyplace.

“The one factor that issues is that this autumn and clearly there’s a little bit of planning that must be taking place. However the Lions have been good in permitting me to get on with my job.

“We’ll have a good time the autumn and Cian’s 134th cap and the IRFU’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary effectively tonight, and what tomorrow will convey it’s going to convey.”