Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has admitted his side was off the pace in Saturday night’s 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions, but expressed pride in their refusal to give up.Â
The Lions went 1-0 up in the three-Test series in Brisbane, having controlled proceedings from the opening whistle.
Lions outclass Wallabies in first Test
With the match only 20 seconds old, the Wallabies conceded a penalty to allow Finn Russell to give the Lions a 3-0 lead, which they built upon only minutes later when Sione Tuipulotu scored a converted try.
Early in the second half, the Lions led 24-5, but the Wallabies showed spirit to score two tries inside the final 13 minutes of the match to cut the final margin to eight points.
They perhaps could have put the Lions under pressure midway through the second half, had a Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii try not been disallowed.
“I felt we fought our way back into the game,” Schmidt said at the post-match media conference.
“I felt if we could get within one score, you never know what could happen.
“I’m not saying the Lions didn’t deserve to win it, because I feel that they did on the balance of what they did in that first quarter and first half.
“Immediately after half-time it was a bridge that was a long way away to try to get from five [points] to 24.
“So we’ll have a look in the cold light of day and be a bit more analytical … but [I’m] very proud of the way the players fought their way back.”
Lions fly-half Finn Russell helped direct his side’s attack. (Getty Images: Albert Perez)
Schmidt said the Lions’ halves pairing of Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park was pivotal in the tourists’ win.
“I thought Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell controlled the game incredibly well for the Lions,” he said.
“They didn’t give a lot of breathing space and that made it tough for us to find access points into the game. They got a lot of pressure around the collision area.
“So there are things obviously we are going to look at and address the balance. I think there are some positives for us to take away.
“I’m not sure what the predictions were before the game but to have a margin of eight points I think is testament to the character of the players and the way they fought back.”
Schmidt said Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton would be available for next Saturday night’s second Test at the MCG.
Both were ruled out of the first Test with calf injuries but trained on Saturday morning.
Lynagh solid in starting debut
Schmidt praised Tom Lynagh’s performance as Wallabies fly-half in what was his first start at Test level.
Lynagh — whose father Michael played for the Wallabies in the same position against the Lions 36 years ago — showed no signs of being intimidated in just his fourth Test.
He survived being tackled in the air by Tom Curry on the stroke of half-time, an incident that could have earned the Lions back-rower a yellow card.
“Not a lot of front-foot opportunity for him [Lynagh] but there’s no way he lacks for courage,” Schmidt said.
“He made some really good tackles out there, carried the ball when he needed to, slipped through and got a nice offload away at one stage.
“I thought he kicked pretty well, as well.”
Tom Lynagh attracted praise for his performance against the Lions. (AAP: Dave Hunt)
Lynagh said he was not overwhelmed by the occasion, with a crowd of 52,229 in attendance at Lang Park.
“No nerves going into the game, no point to prove,” he said.
“Just [went] out there and [played] my game.”
Wallabies winger Max Jorgensen — who scored a spectacular try in the first half — admired Lynagh’s resolve under the defensive pressure exerted by the Lions.
“He’s a bloody tough kid. He takes some shots but gets up straight away,” Jorgensen said.
“For him to make his starting debut, I’m stoked for him. He’s a bloody good player.”