News | Rugby
14 Dec 2025 1:38
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Sports > Rugby

    Wallabies vow to bounce back in Ireland Test as spring tour continues in Dublin

    Hit hard by last weekend's loss to Italy, the Wallabies are desperate to rebound when they face Ireland in Dublin on Sunday morning.


    Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has promised his side will "empty the tank" when they face Ireland in Dublin on Sunday morning AEDT.

    The Wallabies play the Irish a week after recording a demoralising 26-19 loss to Italy in Udine.

    The result meant the Wallabies had posted back-to-back defeats on their five-Test spring tour.

    They lost 25-7 to England at Twickenham a fortnight ago after opening their tour with an unconvincing 19-15 win over Japan in Tokyo.

    Wilson said the Wallabies were determined to make up for their lacklustre performance against Italy.

    "There was a lot of hurt after that Italy game, it hit the whole squad hard," Wilson said.

    "Italy are a really good side and they taught us some harsh, harsh lessons in that game.

    "But from getting on the training field on Tuesday, we've been all about moving forward towards Ireland and have had a really good week's preparation.

    "We're all really excited. After a few disappointing performances, there's definitely a bit more spice around the group, wanting to go out there and get a big result."

    James O'Connor's return at fly-half was among the changes made to the Wallabies' match-day squad for the Ireland Test.

    Wilson said the Wallabies would benefit from O'Connor's experience.

    "James has been awesome since coming in," Wilson said.

    "He's got that confidence straight away, and he's brought a lot of energy and belief after a couple of tough weeks for us.

    "And when you add Lenny [Ikitau] and Allan [Alaalatoa] into it, you add a little bit more polish there too.

    "I feel as if they've really lifted all the boys, and we all went with them. We've had a good week at training, but it's now about going out there and performing Saturday night (local time).

    "The energy has been really good. We're near the end of our tour, so the boys know there's just a couple more weeks to empty the tank for."

    The Wallabies will wrap up their spring tour with a Test against France in Paris next weekend.

    AAP/ABC


    ABC




    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other Rugby News
     13 Dec: Kiwi triathlete Hayden Wilde has only just won the first world title of his career...but he's already looking ahead to next season's T100 World Championship
     13 Dec: It's been a wild payday for Kiwi triathlete Hayden Wilde ...pocketing almost four hundred thousand dollars for finishing the T100 season in perfect style
     13 Dec: New T100 World Champion Hayden Wilde is adamant he didn't feel under pressure to win a first-ever triathlon world title
     12 Dec: Head coach Clark Laidlaw anticipates a seamless return to the Hurricanes for Jason Holland
     11 Dec: Departing winger Sevu Reece has no doubt the Crusaders and All Blacks will thrive in his absence
     11 Dec: All Blacks winger Sevu Reece has unfinished business in New Zealand, despite signing a three year deal to play in France from the end of next year
     11 Dec: Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is eager to palm off the workload to returning assistant Jason Holland
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Kiwi triathlete Hayden Wilde has only just won the first world title of his career...but he's already looking ahead to next season's T100 World Championship More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand's economy is set to expand next year, as several key indicators point to economic recovery More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Auckland FC coach Steve Corica wants more than just frequent flyer points from their next batch of A-League matches 21:56

    Entertainment:
    Sydney Sweeney hasn't had cosmetic surgery because she's "so scared of needles" 21:50

    Entertainment:
    Joanna Page has claimed Johnny Depp once kissed her 21:20

    Soccer:
    Auckland City have won the National Football League Grand Final with a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout win over Wellington Olympic 21:16

    Hockey:
    The ice hockey rink at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games is too small. The NHL is not happy 21:06

    Entertainment:
    David Corenswet had one disagreement with James Gunn on the set of Superman 20:50

    Entertainment:
    Cher is rumoured to be planning to tie the knot with toyboy Alexander 'AE' Edwards next year 20:20

    Entertainment:
    Dolly Parton is "excited" to return to work 19:50

    Entertainment:
    Sean 'Diddy' Combs' mom has slammed "inaccuracies" in Netflix's new docuseries 19:20

    Environment:
    Fire crews are battling a large blaze on Auckland's North Shore 18:56


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd