'He's a good kicker': Wallabies captain defends Donaldson
REACTION: Coach Joe Schmidt says Australia must be better at taking their opportunities as players rallied around Ben Donaldson after he missed a crucial late penalty against Ireland.
The Wallabies suffered a gut-wrenching 33-31 defeat to Andy Farrell’s men in Sydney on Saturday after a rollicking 10-try Nations Championship Test that saw the lead change hands seven times.
*Also read: Wallabies fall agonisingly short against Ireland in Sydney thriller
“We had two chances to close it out in the end, sometimes they don’t come off, but I was really pleased with how we started the game,” Schmidt said.
“Right from the very start, getting that early try was important, but we know that they convert very well from any position they get inside the 22.
“So what we couldn’t do is what we did in the second half and give them so many opportunities to come into our 22. We have to get better at taking those opportunities because you’ve got to work so hard to get them.”
Australia made a blistering start with a fourth-minute try and were 24-19 ahead after a frantic first-half that witnessed seven tries.
It could have gone either way in the second, but ultimately Ireland got over the line thanks to Tom Clarkson’s converted try three minutes from time.
Replacement fly-half Donaldson had the chance to snatch victory for the hosts at the death, but he sent a difficult 40-metre penalty wide after the siren.
He also missed a kick from a similarly tough spot several minutes earlier, consigning Australia to their fifth defeat in a row.
Despite falling short of a first victory over Ireland since 2018, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said he had no regrets about Donaldson going for goal rather than touch to set up the chance of a match-winning try.
Farrell lauds Ireland’s fighting spirit after Wallabies triumphhttps://t.co/YadqBzrYtx
🌐#Rugby365 #AUSvIRE #NationsChampionship
ADVERTISEMENT— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) July 4, 2026
“I backed ‘Dono’. I know he’s a good kicker and I loved how he stepped up in that moment. He wanted it, and that’s what you want from your 10,” Wilson said.
“I can live with him missing that because he wasn’t scared at the moment and I’m sure in the future he’ll step up and get that win for the Wallabies.”
Farrell was a relieved man afterwards, admitting he thought Donaldson would nail the kick.
“Honestly, I thought he’d get it,” Farrell said. “Having said that, it was a long way out, tough, tough old kick.
“Fine margins, isn’t it? That’s top-level Test match rugby, that’s how it should be.”
Australia now decamp to Brisbane where they face a French side next weekend similarly stung by a narrow loss, 32-34 to New Zealand in Christchurch.
Ireland make the two-hour drive north of Sydney to Newcastle where they meet Eddie Jones’s Japan, who are on a high after an impressive 27-10 defeat of Italy in Tokyo.
