Michael Cheika knows the job is only half done as Joe Schmidt rues 'skinny margins'

To put the win in perspective this was an Australian team coming off just six days preparation, with three new caps in the 23, facing up to World No2 Ireland, the current Six Nations Grand Slam champions, who were on a 12-game winning streak.

Often Cheika’s comments on playing an Australian style have been interpreted as being in the mold of Mark Ella and David Campese ball-in-hand magic.

But even more than the razzle-dazzle what the Australian public wants to see, is 15 players in gold jerseys who will tackle like their lives depend on it.

And that’s what the Wallabies gave in bucket-fulls in Brisbane. There were huge hits right from the kick off in the team’s most committed defensive performance in recent memory.

One hit from Marika Koroibete on Conor Murray was eye-popping as was another from Michael Hooper on Joey Carbery, just to name a few.

This was a victory built on defence, set-piece and when the opportunity arose, scintillating backline play.

In nearly every facet of the game, except lineouts, Australia were the better team.

With the platform provided by Australia’s pack and Will Genia’s speedy service Bernard Foley was able to unleash his runners Dane Haylett-Petty, Koroibete, Samu Kerevi and of course the peerless Israel Folau.

The NSW No15’s stunning aerial skills may in the end have been the difference between the two sides.

Kurtley Beale was also breathtaking in an attacking (and defensive) display that was near his very best.

There was a lot of talk before the match about how young Munster-bound fly-half Carbery would handle the pressure of starting in such a big Test but to his credit he held up well, showing he belongs at this level.

But as the game wore on the Wallabies No10 Bernard Foley stamped his own authority in his kicking and distribution.

Even when Ireland’s first choice No10 Johnny Sexton came into the game Foley continued to dominate.

Then in the tight five, Australia’s very own fairy-tale, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, the garbo who rose to become a Wallaby, starting his first Test at hooker.

He can look back at his Test debut with distinction and with more experience under his belt, and some more accurate line out throws, could become a key part of Cheika’s side for years to come.

The Australian scrum, expected to be dominated by the fearsome Ireland pack, stood up much better than expected and Adam Coleman was a strong presence for Australia, as was James Ryan for Ireland.

In the loose forwards this was one of the best back row battles ever seen on Australian soil.

David Pocock stood tall all game, in his first Test in 18 months, and put in his best performances in a gold jersey since the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He was a constant menace at the ruck making the Ireland pack work harder and harder to retain possession – and he took his match sealing try superbly.

He was ably assisted by Michael Hooper and Caleb Timu with new Brumbies signing Peter Samu also making an impression with his brief cameo.

As Cheika said afterwards, “Looking at previous games, Ireland, particularly in the forward pack, have outworked other teams.”

“I felt like we needed to win the ‘hard work’ battle just to have a foothold in the game and then see what our backs could from there.”

And that is exactly how the game unfolded. But what Cheika would have hammered into the Wallabies heads as soon as they left the field was the job is only half done.

The triumph in Brisbane will mean nothing unless the Men of Gold claim the series.

“The big thing for us has been consistency,” he said. “We have had real highs over the last couple of years and we’ve got to stay consistent over the rest of the series.

“It’s about mindset every week. We’ve got to have that winner’s mindset all the time.”

As for Ireland coach Joe Schmidt he will be disappointed his side did not claim their first win in Australia for 39 years, though admitting the Wallabies were “incredibly physical.”

“We got in behind them a couple of times and probably over-kicked the ball,” he admitted after the game. “We probably didn’t hold onto the ball as well as we would have liked.

“[David] Pocock obviously put a lot of pressure on and he always makes a big difference to a team. Apart from that, I don’t think there was too much between the teams.”

“We’ll just have to dust ourselves off… and get the margins to fall our way, albeit they were pretty skinny today.”

The Wallabies will be desperate to clinch the series in Melbourne this Saturday while Ireland will be just as desperate to keep it alive another week till Sydney.

It all adds up to another high quality rugby test played at heart-stopping intensity.