A frustrating but beneficial exercise befell Ireland today as they were beaten 19-8 by Australia after a bruising encounter in Brisbane.
Ireland started well but eventually were ground down and went behind thanks to a David Pocock try. With the clock ticking down, Ireland launched a late attack and took promising field position until Conor Murray was adjudged to have knocked on the ball. The Munster man was furious with the call and confronted referee Marius van der Westhuizen, who then gave a penalty.
It was an outburst that epitomised a frustrated Irish team who felt harshly penalised minutes earlier when Jacob Stockdale was pinged for re-collecting the ball in a ruck. Jonathan Sexton was particularly adamant Stockdale had released the ball.
It didn't get any easier for Joe Schmidt's side, who had a late try ruled out due to a TMO deemed knock-on.
Ireland will have a chance to avenge today's loss next week when they face the Wallabies in the second test of the series.
