Ireland will need a “reality check” when reviewing their five-try Samoa victory to have any chance of beating Australia, warns new coach Joe Schmidt.
Schmidt admitted he was nervous ahead of his debut in the Ireland hot seat, a comfortable 40-9 win over an injury-hit Samoa at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
Two tries from debutant replacement Dave Kearney – one set up by older brother Rob – and further scores from Peter O’Mahony, Fergus McFadden and Sean O’Brien eased the former Leinster coach’s international initiation.
But Schmidt admitted his side must improve out of sight ahead of their impending clash with Australia in Dublin next Saturday.
“We’ll get a reality check when we look at it again: too many line-breaks from the Samoans,” Schmidt explained.
“We can’t afford to do that against Australia. If they get on top they are extremely dangerous.
“If we open up too many options for them, they will take them.
“We are very, very aware of the threat Australia pose.
“Our kicking out of the hand wasn’t as good as it could have been at times.
“If someone manages to find Israel Folau, or Adam Ashley-Cooper next week, then we will find ourselves in trouble.”
Schmidt confirmed Ulster flanker Chris Henry suffered a minor hamstring strain, leading to his halftime withdrawal.
The Ireland boss said Henry’s progress will be monitored in the next few days, with the hope the issue was caught early enough for it not to develop into a major problem.
Schmidt hailed the contributions of iconic duo Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll – and backed both to step up their injury returns in the coming fortnight.
“I spoke to Brian after the game and he felt he could have gone the whole 80, but the tank was starting to run dry after 55,” he said.
“And Paul really enjoyed it, enjoyed stretching his legs. I thought he brought real value off the bench.”
Ireland’s fortunes turned in the last minute of the first half when Samoa centre George Pisi was yellow-carded for a spear tackle on winger Tommy Bowe.
Paddy Jackson kicked the resulting penalty and while Pisi was enduring an extended halftime break, Ireland bagged a second try to replacement flanker O’Brien.
Jackson converted that and Ireland had a comfort zone at 21-6.
Samoa weren’t helped by a rash of injuries.
Already without five senior players, including tour captain David Lemi, Samoa had tighthead prop Logovi’i Mulipola limp off after eight minutes.
A sickening collision of heads in the 56th minute ended with flyhalf Tusi Pisi being taken off on a stretcher, and winger Brando Va’aulu walking off with assistance.
