KEY POINTS:
Ireland 21 Australia 6
DUBLIN - Ireland are emerging as New Zealand's greatest threat at next year's World Cup, with hopes soaring after yesterday's record-equalling victory over Australia at wet and windy Lansdowne Road.
The Irish scored two tries to none, the second a sublime team effort completed by fullback Geordan Murphy, to blow away the Wallabies and complete back-to-back wins over Southern Hemisphere opposition for the first time since 1967 - and only the second time in history.
Having dispatched South Africa 32-15 in similarly clinical fashion last week, Ireland have now risen to No 2 in the world rankings - their highest standing - behind only the all-conquering All Blacks.
The Triple Crown winners defied deteriorating conditions to produce a brilliant first-half display against Australia that featured one 21-phase passage of attack and prompted veteran local commentators to suggest it was the finest 40 minutes of rugby they had witnessed from men in emerald green.
Inspirational centre and captain Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy finished clear winners of their much-anticipated midfield battle with Stirling Mortlock and Lote Tuqiri, Ronan O'Gara had a masterful passing, kicking and running game and twinkle-toed winger Shane Horgan was another constant threat as the Irish staged a relentless series of attacks.
But workaholic flanker Neil Best's brutal tackle on Tuqiri, which left the 103kg centre struggling to get up, provided the defining moment of the test.
"They are a formidable team," Mortlock said.
"They pushed us hard in Perth earlier this year and also the All Blacks on the same tour.
"They've got a very good lineout, they've got a pretty good set piece and O'Gara really steers their team around really well and their midfield combination is excellent."
Australian coach John Connolly said: "Ireland showed they are a world-class team, in particular in these sort of weather conditions".
Ireland are in the 2007 World Cup's proverbial pool of death, alongside two fellow heavyweights in world No 3 and hosts France and much-improved Argentina.
The level-headed O'Driscoll said it was vital his players - enjoying rock star status in Ireland at the moment - didn't get swept up in the hysteria.
"Let people talk away. We'll try and do our talking on the pitch and continue playing the way we know we can," he said.
"We've set our standards to a certain degree now in this November series and we have to make sure we don't dip below that.
"Consistency in performance has always been Ireland's problem. But I have to say we're very happy with where we're at at the moment."
O'Driscoll, though, admitted it was impossible not to savour only Ireland's second win against Australia in 17 tests over the past 25 years.
The 15-point triumph also equalled Ireland's biggest winning margin against the Wallabies, matching the 27-12 victory in Brisbane in 1979.
Victorious coach Eddie O'Sullivan said this win was more significant than the 18-9 defeat of Australia in similarly foul conditions four years ago because there was more depth in Irish rugby now, and he believed his maturing team were now capable of mounting a genuine World Cup challenge.
- AAP
