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'Fall back in love': Former Wallabies react to tight defeat to Ireland

Players of Australia look dejected following defeat to Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The Wallabies ended their end-of-year Northern tour campaign with a narrow 22-19 defeat at the hands of world number two-ranked Ireland in Dublin.

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For large parts of Australia’s 2024 campaign, they have showcased improvement under Joe Schmidt, and signs of hope ahead of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.

A late Gus McCarthy try ended Joe Schmidt’s return to Aviva Stadium in Dublin where he coached Ireland for six years.

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Former Wallabies Tim Horan and Justin Harrison were both impressed with Australia’s performance at the Aviva Stadium, despite leading the game with just under eight minutes to go.

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“We should be so proud of this Wallabies team, and what they’ve done in the last four weeks, especially in the first two weeks, winning against England, win against Wales, they have re-engaged not everyone, but they’ve re-engaged a lot of people to fall back in love with rugby,said Horan on the Stan Sport panel after Ireland’s victory.

 “I think the way that the Wallabies started that first half, they’d be really proud and excited how they bend the defensive line on this Irish team, Max Jorgensen scoring the try after sort of 19 minutes, and then they’ve got a couple of penalty goals. They probably needed a bit more of a lead at the half-time break.”

Harrison, the 34-Test former Wallabies forward was proud of the way the Wallabies held their own on the end-of-year tour.

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There’s pride at least in seeing the way the Wallabies performed today. When you see the Wallabies team take the field, you want to see some ingredients. You imagine what you would do if you wore that gold jersey, honesty, intelligence, toughness, hard work for your teammates,said Harrison. 

“All of those ingredients were on display for the Wallaby team that pushed this Irish side.”

Former Wallabies midfielder Horan, highlighted Ireland’s grit and determination as to why they are one of the best international teams in the world.

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“It was a cracking test match, and that second half from Ireland was outstanding. That’s why they’re the number two ranked nation in the world, just the way they have composure and are very well coached,said Horan on Ireland’s performance at Aviva Stadium.

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Harrison also gave credit to Andy Farrell’s side, who dominated the possession and territory throughout the 80 minutes.

“This Irish side is a very, very good side in Dublin. At the end of a long tour for the Wallabies, that is an outstanding performance from them. We are bitterly disappointed by the loss so close to just the weight of possession.”

Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

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J
JW 19 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: Are Razor's troops heading in the right direction?

Agreed OM2, I like some sort of ranking system as an engagement factor as well. Starting with a small number like 5 makes the most sense, and these agreements should have a depth in length.

30 caps = 1 year eligibilty

60 caps = 2 year

90 = 3 etc?

I would then look to expand this to all positions and each have their individual rank. 1 overseas eligibility slot of every position, in the top 3. So say Dane Coles is number 3 ranked hooker when he left, after achieving 90 caps (3 years minus any earlier sabbaticals), then Sami goes down, Coles is now eligible to come in this year instead of selecting someone like Bell. Then, if Taylor becomes number 2 ranked hooker (ie gets overtaken) next year and takes a pay cut (automatic under this holistic ranking system NZR is implemented), he might decide to take a big money offer and go overseas.


Now, under this system, Coles holds the only eligible spot still, so he would have to either, retire from the game (I know I know lets just say he hadn't already done this), wait for the last year of his 3 to expire before he qualifies for that eligibility spot (in which case he loses a year of his own eligibility of 90=3y), have Coles voluntarily relinquish it, of have some sort of decaying metric to the ranking systems (or a points share system when new plays gain share, reducing Coles's, and therefor his ranking). Given Coles is still ranked no2 and has a few years on his side, he'd more likely to included in most AB squads, were as Coles was only an emergency option.


Also include a system that gives all the saved revenue in to signing overseas talent to build the NPCs global appeal and therefor revenue.


Special Add, All positions ranked;

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