Michael Cheika expecting second Test fightback as Australia end Ireland’s winning run with first Test victory

Australia 18-9 Ireland: Bernard Foley and Michael Pocock score tries to secure an impressive victory for the Wallabies but Cheika expects reinforcements to arrive next week

David Pocock celebrates after scoring Australia's second try (Getty)

Michael Cheika expects an improved Ireland effort as they look to bounce back from their first defeat in 13 matches in next week's second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

The Wallabies coach was delighted with his side's work-rate in their 18-9 win in the series opener in Brisbane, but he warned the players that a backlash is on the way in seven days' time.

Tries from Bernard Foley and David Pocock were the difference as the home side got their 2018 campaign up and running with an excellent win over the Grand-Slam-winning tourists at Suncorp.

But Ireland will be out to make it one-all in a week's time and, after Joe Schmidt made changes to his team for the first Test, Cheika is expecting a much-changed and much-improved Ireland effort at AAMI Park.

"They've got such a good squad, a lot of depth," he said.

"If you have a look at the guys who were sitting on their bench tonight and even not in the squad, there's a number of changes they could make and I imagine that a lot of guys could play in this series.

"They've got quality all across the park and that's being genuine.

"They're not number two in the world for nothing, they've won a stack of games in a row, Six Nations champions with a Grand Slam off the back of it, and you can't do that without a lot of depth.

"Whichever player plays, every game is going to be a tight game right until the end."

Cheika felt his team's ability to match Ireland's work-rate was key, but he expects a different challenge in Melbourne.

Michael Cheika believes Ireland will recall their big guns for next week's second test (Getty)

"They've got a huge amount of skill and talent, great players as well. But their work rate is the key, it's the engine behind there and they worked hard tonight too," he said.

"The Irish system is pretty good, their players are well managed and they came out here really well-drilled.

"That was a tight match, a very tight match, and we know how good they are. We know that it's going to get harder. They're getting over arrival, jet lag, they mixed a few of their players, they didn't start Johnny (Sexton), they didn't start Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy.

"They're going to change their look next week and we need to change our look as well because we will all have seen each other.

"That's the best part about the three-match series concept, where it's like we're jousting one week and it's on another week and we've got to change the tactics and keep the same dynamics in there.

"I don't think they'll need anything else around that, they're very capable of lifting it a level next week."

Bernard Foley scored Australia's opening try (Getty)

Ireland coach Schmidt was left to rue his team's missed opportunities.

"It's nothing that we didn't expect," he said of the Australian effort.

"They're an unbelievably athletic and talented team. The last time they played here they beat the All Blacks.

"That's the level and we've got to be able to compete at that level and get the margins to fall our way, albeit they were pretty skinny today. With 14 minutes left we led 9-8 but you have got to lead after 80 minutes."

Schmidt took a risk by rotating his starting XV, but he will not be happy with his finishing team as they lost for the first time since March 2017. When Johnny Sexton replaced Joey Carbery, his side were a point ahead but they lost their grip under Wallaby pressure at the end of a rip-roaring Test.

Australia took an early lead through the boot of Bernard Foley as Bundee Aki got caught offside, but Carbery drew the tourists level and then nudged them in front after Michael Hooper strayed offside.

They were not having it all their own way, however, and needed a superb Jacob Stockdale cover tackle to deny Marika Koroibeite.

Although Ireland had more possession, the home backline looked far more dangerous with ball in hand and they made that advantage pay as half-time approached.

Bernard Foley recorded a personal haul of 13 points to beat Ireland (Getty)

The chance came when Rob Kearney uncharacteristically misjudged a high ball and Pocock secured possession for his side.

With Ireland scrambling, Australia moved the ball wide and Foley's swift hands freed Samu Kerevi down the left.

Again, Stockdale covered across but this time the men in gold recycled the ball for Will Genia to put Foley over in the corner.

The out-half missed the conversion and his side took a two point lead in at half-time, the first time Ireland had been behind at that stage all season.

They almost got back in front within three minutes of the restart, but Dane Haylett-Petty somehow denied CJ Stander by holding him up after a big break.

Carbery missed a chance to put his side back in front after Australia survived a 19-phase defensive set, but he nailed a simpler effort on 55 minutes after Pocock was penalised for holding on.

That was his last act as Joe Schmidt sent Sexton into the arena.

Australia celebrate their 18-9 victory over Ireland (Getty)

Ireland got a major let off when referee Marius van der Westhuizen disallowed Folau's stunning try for an earlier infringement by Adam Coleman who hit James Ryan off the ball.

It was not a popular decision among the gold-clad fans in the 46,273 crowd, but a neck roll by Ryan handed the advantage back to the home side.

Ireland's first-choice props had come on early, but they gave up a penalty under pressure from Taniela Tupou and Foley put Australia back in front with 11 minutes remaining.

A superb Folau catch and a subsequent penalty concession from Stockdale might have resulted in a further penalty, but instead Genia tapped the penalty and he got the reward as Pocock capped a fantastic comeback after his hiatus to power over from close range.

Foley converted and, try as they might, Ireland could not muster a fightback, Kieran Marmion having a score ruled out in time added on for an earlier knock-on.

PA