Following Ireland’s 46-19 victory over the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium, here’s our key winners and losers from the end-of-year Test in Dublin.
Winners
Mack Hansen
Born and raised in Australia but now playing for Ireland, his performance will leave the Wallabies fans thinking what could have been. Hansen took the headlines for his hat-trick but his all-round display was outstanding as the 27-year-old starred after shifting from wing to full-back.
Hansen’s opening two tries were almost carbon copies of each other as Ireland brilliantly manipulated the Australian defence to open the space, but the lines he took should not be underestimated.
Sam Prendergast
The debate over the 10 shirt will continue but, on this evidence, Prendergast should retain it for the Springboks clash. Andy Farrell could possibly prefer Jack Crowley’s greater defensive solidity as it was all too easy for Len Ikitau to break through the Leinsterman for his try, but everything else was absolutely exceptional from the fly-half.
It was arguably Ireland’s greatest attacking performance since Johnny Sexton retired, with Prendergast very much to the fore, as they cut through the Wallabies’ defence with regularity. The 22-year-old has his detractors but Saturday’s effort was superb and could be enough for him to take the shirt for the Six Nations.
Andy Farrell
Has taken a bit of flak over the past 12 months, particularly over his refusal to bring through younger players. That argument is valid but, ultimately, only results and performances matter, and Saturday’s clash will silence the doubters.
There are also signs of some squad development with Tommy O’Brien cementing the right wing spot, Paddy McCarthy starting at loosehead and Ryan Baird excelling at blindside and seemingly locking down that position for the foreseeable future.
Tom Hooper
Along with Rob Valetini, who also deserves a mention, they were the only Wallabies to really produce performances of note. Hooper has enjoyed a fine season and has become a key part of the Australian squad this year.
The back five forward’s incredible work-rate, allied by his physicality at close quarters and ability in the lineout, makes him a fine Test operator. Unfortunately, too many of his team-mates just didn’t reach his level in Dublin.
Caelan Doris
Has only just returned from a lengthy injury but they would have wanted a bit more from the captain in the first half. However, once Doris moved to number eight, he was outstanding, showing why he was favourite to be British and Irish Lions captain before his injury. It was a timely return to form, particularly with the back-to-back world champions looming.
James Ryan
Somehow escaped a card after the lock tipped a Wallabies player above the horizontal. Although the footage does not show the exact point of contact, given the direction the Australian was travelling, it looked as though he landed on his head.
It happened in the first half with Ireland just 14-7 ahead but the officials decided not to take action and the hosts would then go on to score their third try a few minutes later. These are the sort of incidents World Rugby are trying to stamp out so it was surprising that it was not punished appropriately.
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Losers
Joe Schmidt
There is still one match remaining of his tenure – a daunting game against France no less – but it has been a disappointing way to end what should ultimately be considered a successful stint. Schmidt has brought positivity and belief back to Australian rugby, but his legacy is at risk of being tarnished by their dreadful end-of-year tour. They desperately need a much better performance in the French capital.
Jack Crowley
The playmaker actually did rather well when he came on, but it feels like the Leinsterman has stolen a march in the race for the 10 jersey. Crowley was handed the reins for the All Blacks and Japan Tests after an outstanding display for Munster against their arch-rivals, but he failed to convince and was subsequently dropped to the bench.
And with Prendergast impressing in Dublin on Saturday, he may have to bide his time once again having also been second choice for most of the Six Nations.
Joseph Suaalii
Much is expected from the cross-code superstar but it has been a disappointing November tour for the incredibly talented 22-year-old. For the third match in a row, Suaalii failed to make much of an impression as Ireland followed England and Italy in effectively shackling the centre.
Many thought the return of Ikitau would reignite the combination which has proven so effective over the past 12 months but it was not to be. While it is partly up to the Wallabies pack and decision-makers to provide him with opportunities, Suaalii also needs to improve certain elements of his game to be more effective.
Jack Conan
Filled in well for Doris at the end of Leinster’s 2024/25 season as they claimed the United Rugby Championship title and has also started at number eight against the All Blacks and Wallabies, but it was an underwhelming performance on Saturday.
With Doris finding form when shifting to the base of the scrum and Baird being one of Ireland’s best performers at blindside, Conan may see his place in the 23 come under threat, particularly with the likes of Cian Prendergast and Nick Timoney knocking on the back-row door.
Max Jorgensen
Like Suaalii, Jorgensen has been an excitement machine for most of the season, but he has struggled on this tour. The 21-year-old burst onto the scene with the winning try against England last year and went from strength to strength against the British and Irish Lions and in the Rugby Championship, but it has been a long season and perhaps him and Suaalii are suffering as a result.
Wallabies bench
It was a weakness against both England and Italy, and Ireland also exploited their lack of impact from the replacements. Whether it is simply a lack of depth or poor selectorial decisions, Schmidt is in a better position to answer that question, but what is for certain is that it has arguably cost them in three successive matches.
Despite all of their northern hemisphere opponents arguably being the better sides for the first 50 minutes, they were still in the games going into the final half-hour, but their bench could not provide the impact required to take them home.
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