Australia head coach Joe Schmidt is confident that his side will be in even better shape by the time they face the Lions in next summer’s first Test on July 19.
The Wallabies pushed Ireland all the way, but fell just short, 22-19, at the end of a long season during which Schmidt has turned their fortunes around following Eddie Jones’ disastrous tenure.
On another night, Schmidt’s return to the Aviva Stadium would have been marked with a special victory, but as it was, Gus McCarthy’s late try snatched victory for Ireland.
Schmidt will soon turn his focus to next summer’s Lions tour, as he comes up against Andy Farrell, who now departs for his sabbatical.
“I was proud of the team,” Schmidt said.
“I thought they demonstrated a level of grit that you need if you’re going to be competitive with the Lions and competitive with Ireland, number two team in the world, and I think we made them work pretty hard tonight to get the win.
“We’d love to have got into the mix and got the W ourselves, but at the same time, I think from where we started at the end of last November when the boys came back after their break post the World Cup, to where we are now, I think there’s a bit more confidence in what they’re delivering.
“They’re a little bit more connected, and there’s still a bit of growth to go, I’m hoping.
“I think and I hope our supporters and supporters of the Lions can see enough in what we’ve delivered in these last four weeks to think that they’re going to be entertained and that it’s going to be a contest.
“So, that’s what I’d love to see and maybe not yet. We’ve still got some work to do for sure and I felt that there were times tonight where we’ve still got some guys who’ve only played a couple of Tests and they’re still learning.
“They’re not going to get a lot of learning as far as Test matches are concerned next year, but the Super Rugby window will be great for them to build again.
“I’ve got to say, the Super Rugby coaches, I talk to them often and we’re going to try to keep building that momentum.
“By the time the Lions arrive, I’m hoping next July that you’ll see a Wallabies team worthy of taking them on head on.”
Schmidt plans to spend next week at his old home in Churchtown, where his daughter still lives, as the former Leinster and Ireland boss enjoyed his return to Dublin, even allowing for his side narrowly losing out to Farrell’s Ireland.
“It was just about the team and trying to prepare this team as best I could without being too distracted with the number of catch-ups I’ve had during the week,” the Kiwi maintained.
“It’s been a bit embarrassing. The boys have been giving me a hard time. We got on a plane and took a selfie with these ladies and one of them turned around when we were all boarded and yelled down to me that there was a spare seat up next to her. The boys thought that was hilarious. I’ve copped it from them.
“I’ve felt the same warmth that I felt for 10 years here. My family were incredibly well looked after here. I think they talk about Dublin and how some kids stay at home forever, ours just stayed long enough for us to leave.
“My daughter is here, I think my son will end up shifting back here with his Irish wife and I think we’ll continue to be very much a split family with a very heavy Irish and Kiwi influence and currently an Aussie intention to keep improving.”
As an Irish citizen, Schmidt was entitled to vote in yesterday’s General Election, but he quipped:
“I was talking to the bus driver and I said, maybe drop me off and I’ll have a vote!
“I was talking to Tommy Bowe on Wednesday, and he does the breakfast TV and I was trying to get some intel from him on who I should vote for. I knew by the time I was done talking to him that I shouldn’t vote!
“No, I didn’t vote. I almost fell into the (Irish) national anthem but I stuck with Australia Fair.”
Schmidt was impressed with 21-year-old out-half Sam Prendergast’s performance, while he also praised Jack Crowley’s important cameo.
“I would still be good friends with Richie Murphy and he was talking about him two years ago as a real talent so it was no surprise to me,” Schmidt said of Prendergast.
“He’s got a great short kicking game but his long kicking game was exceptional tonight. A couple of times they got penalties and he put us deep in our own 22 and when that’s happening it’s difficult because there’s not a lot of oxygen there.
“I have seen him kick goals exceptionally well and he obviously missed that first one which would have been something he would knock over easily.
“When that happens to a young man, he can be put off his game very easily but I didn’t notice it unfortunately. He still looked still on his game. Playing in the Ireland system you always have options inside and out and that takes a bit of the pressure off.
“I felt we did isolate him a few times tonight and put some pressure on him and he did look a little bit flustered which is unusual for him. He’s usually very calm. He’s got great potential.
“I gotta say I would be a fan of Jack Crowley as well, he is a super player. And a very brave one, he is a very good defender with a good kicking game.”
As for what comes next for the Wallabies ahead of the Lions tour, Schmidt added:
“I think the first flight leaves for Australia at 5am. We haven’t got a lot of time and I’m not sure how much of that time they’ll be really intentional about really listening that much.
“I think we’re going to celebrate the end of the season, 13 Test matches. We’ll get together for a couple of days in January, 8 January to 10 January, and that will allow us to sign off on this year and find our way ahead.
“We’ll get together a week or two before the Lions arrive. That in itself is a real challenge but I do think we’ve built enough confidence and cohesion this year that we can pick it up again, late June, early July next year.
“That in itself is a challenge, but it’s a great challenge. That’s the way I’d see it and certainly the way the players would see it as well. That challenge is balanced by opportunity.
“What a fantastic opportunity to play the Lions. It’s usually only once you get that chance, once every 12 years.”