Schmidt upbeat following defeat in opening B&I Lions Test
REACTION: Australia head coach Joe Schmidt said he was proud of the fight his side showed against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday, but called on them to improve for the second Test next week.
The British and Irish Lions took a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series with a largely dominant 27-19 win in front of more than 52,000 fans at a sold-out Lang Park Stadium.
Schmidt said he took heart from the way the Wallabies battled from 5-24 down early in the second half to lose by only eight points.
“This time last year, we probably would have melted,” Schmidt said.
“But we fought our way back into the game and got very close in the second half.
“I felt if we could get within one score, you never know.
“I’m not saying the Lions didn’t deserve to win because I feel like they did on the balance of what they did, particularly in the first half.
“We’ll have a look and be more analytical, but I’m very proud of the way the players fought their way back.”
Schmidt said the Wallabies’ comeback in the second half augured well for the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Saturday.
“If you kind of win the second half, it at least gives you some belief.
“We’re a very young side, comparatively, who are still finding our way.
“We had a guy debuting [flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny] and a guy making his first start for the Wallabies in a linchpin position [flyhalf Tom Lynagh].”
Schmidt admitted that the Lions’ halfback pairing of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell had controlled proceedings, while the visitors’ forwards had created pressure around the collision areas and the lineout.
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“There are things that we’re going to look at to address the balance,” Schmidt said.
“I think there are some positives for us to take away.”
Schmidt confirmed experienced forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton would be fit for Melbourne, saying they had trained well on Saturday morning.
“I know that the Lions will want to close it out, so I think Melbourne is going to be massive for both teams,” he said.
“We may not have been quite good enough today, but they didn’t lack for effort and they showed real character to climb their way back into the game.”
