Rugby: Dissatisfaction in equal measure as Aussies labour to win

The Wallabies celebrate Luke Burgess' try. Photo / Getty Images

Australia 22
Ireland 15

It wasn't long ago that Ireland were genuine contenders for the title of best northern hemisphere rugby team. But it seems a long time ago now.

It was only two weeks ago that we contemplated a Wallaby resurgence as a weakened team put England to the sword. That seems a long time ago too.

There is no questioning - ever - Irish courage but, like many of the northern teams, they threaten little in terms of inventive and flowing rugby, even allowing for the fact they are missing several senior players.

The kick is still the main weapon of choice and they have uncovered a new weapons master. First five Jonny Sexton hoofs a ball at least as well as the Irish No 10 of many years' standing, Ronan O'Gara - and maybe better. He looks like he might be able to do other things as well.

However his kicking alone looked like it might be enough to win this game until the Australians reined in their indiscipline. Sexton punished them, slipping five penalties through the posts very sweetly indeed.

The Australians had the skills but they struggled to find fluidity with their large cast of personnel changes. They also found it difficult to penetrate a canny and committed Irish defence, schooled by that old Aussie rugby league master, Les Kiss.

The first try of the first half came from a heavy-legged, wooden, Irish foray from the base of the scrum. No 8 Chris Henry passed like it was a medicine ball and Wallaby halfback Luke Burgess had the easiest of interceptions before the ball had made its dying-duck way to his Irish opposite, Tomas O'Leary.

Sexton kept Ireland ahead with his immaculate kicking before Quade Cooper, growing into a highly elusive first five, wriggled through a non-existent gap between (shame on them) two flankers for a soft try and a 16-15 halftime lead.

Ireland, to be fair, played a lot more with the ball in hand in the second half.

The Australian scrum, so under pressure against England, got the upper hand in this match.

Both sides made mistakes - too many for this to be anywhere near a classic match - but the Australians' superior continuity meant they kept the pressure on the Irish, with Matt Giteau kicking two more penalties.

Both sides will take a measure of dissatisfaction from this match - the Irish with another loss; the Wallabies because they didn't win better.

Australia 22 (Q. Cooper, L. Burgess tries; Cooper 2 pen, M. Giteau 2 pen), Ireland 15 (J. Sexton 5 pen). Halftime: 16-15.