Rugby: Deans finds value in midweek defeat

Luke Morahan of Australia is tackled by Paul Warwick and Peter O'Mahony of Munster. Photo / Getty Images

LIMERICK - Wallabies coach Robbie Deans defended the value of midweek tour games after his second-string side was ambushed by Irish province Munster in a loss which only heaped more pressure on the test team.

The clash with the two-time European champions might have been a genuine selection trial for this weekend's test against Italy following winger James O'Connor's return home on compassionate leave and Deans putting test spots on offer after the heavy loss to England.

But weather conditions at Limerick's Thomond Park were so atrocious, and the Australians handled them so badly, little insight could be had into the fringe players' test potential.

The side trip to Ireland for the match, which has required the team to take a charter flight from Limerick to Florence, has also eaten into training time for the test squad.

The Wallabies fell into a time-honoured Munster trap, losing 15-6 in a game which lived up to all the tour match mythology - the weather was wild, the punches flew and the touring team lost, much to the pleasure of the recession-hit locals.

Munster extended a remarkable hold over the touring Wallabies having now won their past four meetings, including in 1967, 1981 and 1992, while the 1958 clash was drawn and Australia's only success came through an injury time try in the inaugural meeting in 1947.

A wild brawl erupted late in the first half yesterday, with even the wingers running in to get a piece of the action.

Despite the potential for careers to have been damaged more than boosted, Deans argued the experience was invaluable to the World Cup build-up.

"Some might suggest it was a futile exercise for us. I disagree," he said. "It was fantastic because this group of players don't get the opportunity to play this sort of contest often."

He admitted, though, that he'd been left none the wiser as to his test lineup.

"To that end, it probably wasn't ideal because it was difficult for individuals to thrive out there."

Ironically it was an Australian, 29-year-old former sevens international Paul Warwick, who kicked his side to victory with three penalty goals and two drop goals.

The Wallabies now head to Florence in a disrupted week with the pressure of avoiding a third straight defeat on tour.

At least Italy will be more stodgy gnocchi than light linguini after former Kangaroos back Craig Gower was ruled out of the test with a knee injury which may require surgery.

"I'm sure the Azzurri are looking at the tape [of the 35-18 England loss] licking their lips," said centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, who will play his 50th test.

- AAP