23 Nov 2014

Ireland pip Wallabies in Dublin

12:33 pm on 23 November 2014

Ireland's New Zealand born rugby coach Joe Schmidt watched on with suspected appendicitis as the hosts edged past Australia 26-23 in a frantic test in Dublin.

Ireland vs Australia. Ireland's Ian Madigan and Jamie Heaslip celebrate winning a late penalty to end the game.

Ireland vs Australia. Ireland's Ian Madigan and Jamie Heaslip celebrate winning a late penalty to end the game. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The victory followed an impressive win over South Africa two weeks ago and last season's Six Nations championship triumph as Ireland put down a marker for the 2015 World Cup.

Ireland's New Zealand coach had little time to enjoy his first win over Australia, leaving for tests as soon as the game ended.

The Ireland rugby coach, New Zealander Joe Schmidt.

The Ireland rugby coach, New Zealander Joe Schmidt. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

A team spokesman revealed Schmidt is suffering suspected appendicitis and was taken to hospital.

The 49-year-old New Zealander hadn't hinted at the pain he was feeling but the spokesman sais Schmidt had been in agony all day.

"He didn't come too close to us all day in case it was something catching. He didn't want to distract us from our focus. That's the type of man he is."

Ireland led 17-0 after 14 minutes thanks to tries from Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe but Australia replied with three of their own to square it up at halftime before Jonathan Sexton kicked them to victory in a bruising second period.

While he said the hosts let themselves down by allowing the visitors back into the game, Kiss praised them for regrouping after the break particularly when Schmidt had to add "heart palpitations" to his stomach pains when Australia emptied a bench that contained Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale.

After a finale in which Ireland's Gordon D'Arcy, Rob Kearney and Sexton leave the field with concussion, captain Paul O'Connell was pleased his side finished strongly having been prone to concede late in recent games.

"I didn't think for an instant we were going to pull away or anything like that, you'd like to be a bit tidier in what we did but they just came back at us with some really high tempo rugby," Ireland's man-of-the-match said.

"To see the quality they brought off the bench and for us to be able to defend the way we did...was very satisfying."

The last time Ireland won all three November tests eight years ago they went on to be humbled at the group stages of the following year's World Cup.

"We've been here before with a good Autumn and it didn't serve us well and that's probably the main lesson you learn," lock O'Connell said."

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