Schmidt hails 'grit and resilience' as his Wallabies upset Lions
They came out of the blocks firing with an early try to lead 8-0 and kept up the pressure, never letting the weary Lions get into their attacking groove for a deserved 22-12 win.
After a passive performance in the first Test in Brisbane, Schmidt's young side went up a level in Melbourne and again in Sydney, auguring well for the future.
"I'm just relieved and incredibly proud," said Schmidt, who was installed to restore Australia's reputation after a horror 2023 World Cup under Eddie Jones.
"We worked really hard to build that 8-0 lead. Coming off after the lightning could've destabilised things, so to stay focused and defend well was a real testament to the players' character.
"It wasn't pretty," he added.
"It was all about grit and resilience. I really admired the way the players came through, they did just enough to get the job done."
Their performance was all the more encouraging given they were missing flanker Rob Valetini, prop Allan Alaalatoa, hooker David Porecki and wing Harry Potter -- all first-choice picks.
Victory ensured a winning send-off for retiring scrum-half Nic White, who played his 73rd and last Test.
"What a game, that had everything," said White.
"It wasn't always champagne rugby, but we were committed, and sometimes we were able to use our skill and other times we were desperate.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
3 hours ago
- France 24
Dropped Australian Test star Labuschagne plots Ashes return
The long-time number three was axed from Australia's Test tour of the West Indies in June and July after a sustained lean spell. In his first comments since, he told The Australian newspaper on Sunday that it may have been a blessing in disguise. "It was tough because you never want to be dropped," the 31-year-old said. "But almost as soon as their (selectors) words came out my mind shifted straight away to, 'Okay, how am I playing the Ashes ... how do I make that happen?'. "This has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, 'Marnus has got to go'. "There is a tipping point but it's something I thrive on, proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way. "Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to sit back and think, 'This is where I want to be and this is how I'm going to get there'." The 58-Test veteran was moved from his regular spot at three to open in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa in June, where he scored 17 and 22 before being dropped. But with his replacement, the teenager Sam Konstas, struggling at the top of the order, Labuschagne said he was ready to give it another crack. "I would be happy to do that -- I would love to," he said, with Cameron Green ably filling the number three slot in the West Indies. "If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that's fine. "If you had asked me where I prefer to bat, obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don't get a choice." Labuschagne returns to action for Australia in three home one-dayers against South Africa this month. He will then switch his attention to the Sheffield Shield, hoping to impress selectors enough to earn a recall for the five-Test Ashes series starting in Perth on November 21.
France 24
5 hours ago
- France 24
Teen darts sensation Littler wins first World Series crown of year
England's Littler, who became the youngest darts world champion aged just 17 in January, swept past the Belgian 8-4 in Wollongong, south of Sydney, on Saturday night. He also took care of Damon Heta and Stephen Bunting en route in the year's sixth World Series event. "It feels great," said the world number two after avenging his defeat to Gerwyn Price in last year's Australian final. "Obviously it hadn't gone to plan on the World Series circuit this year, but there's plenty of opportunities to win and I've finally picked up that trophy. "I cannot wait for Auckland now," he added of the penultimate World Series tournament next weekend in New Zealand. Littler became a national phenomenon in England with his shock run to the World Darts Championship final in 2024 before being defeated by top-ranked Luke Humphries. It inspired a boom for the sport, with Littler coming above British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles in Google's most searched for people of 2024 in the UK. His victory over Michael van Gerwen to lift the world championship title this year only added to the teen star's aura.
France 24
10 hours ago
- France 24
Sinner storms to quick-fire opening win in Cincinnati
The world number one got immediately back in the swing with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over the out-classed Colombian. Sinner won the opening five games in 15 minutes as he allowed his 144th-ranked opponent, who came through qualifying, little breathing rom. The victory in 59 minutes was the fastest of Sinner's ATP career, beating his previous quickest by one minute. The defending champion claimed his 22nd consecutive win on hardcourt, last losing the Beijing final in September to rival Carlos Alcaraz. "I didn't know what to expect," Sinner said of his return to tournament action. "I'm happy because it's not easy to play here. "The ball is flying and you have to serve very precise if you want to go far in the tournament. "Today I was finding my spots but there is still a little room to improve. For a first match it could not have gone better." After snapping up the first set Sinner broke to start the second before Galan clawed out a hold in a seven-minute game in which he fought off five break points. But it was only a momentary reprieve. Sinner fired three aces to hold for 3-1 as he roared away again for the victory. Elsewhere 11th-seeded Casper Ruud bowed out, falling 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2 to France's Arthur Rinderknech. Norway's Ruud fell victim to 34 unforced errors and lost serve four times as he failed to stop the comeback of his 70th-ranked opponent, who advanced in just under two and three-quarter hours. Italian eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti was also sent packing, beaten 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) by France's Benjamin Bonzi. Rinderknech was pleased with his success so far at his Cincinnati debut. "I stayed aggressive throughout the match," he said. "You cannot let Casper start to dictate. I knew I would have to run a lot. There were some missed shots but I just kept going for it. "My game seems to be working better and better as I play more matches," added Rinderknech, who saved eight of the nine break points he faced. Seventh seed Holger Rune won his opener 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) over Russian Roman Safiullin and will next play American Alex Michelsen, who defeated Corentin Moutet of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Tommy Paul, seeded 13th and inactive since a Wimbledon second round loss, started up with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Spain's Pedro Martinez. Swiatek eases through In WTA action, reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek earned an efficient opening win over Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-4. Poland's Swiatek has reached the final four at the last two editions but Cincinnati remains one of the two 1000-level tournaments -- along with Canada -- where she has never played a final. The third seed moved into the third round after a bye in just 74 minutes, saving four of the five break points she faced. "I wanted to play solid - but intense as well," Swiatek said. "It was up and down in the second set. "But in the important moments I got my level up to close out the win.
