The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly believes Ireland's improved performance in defeat to the New Zealand Maori bodes well for their next Test clash against Australia.
"Once again the cards did not fall Ireland's way. Red and yellow cards scuppered their chances against the All Blacks but it was Mark Lawrence's failure to produce yellow that cost them this time around.
"He penalised the Maori five times in succession for breakdown indiscretions yet incredibly no one was sent to the bin. With Ireland dominant, playing against 14 men would have allowed Geordan Murphy's side to go for the jugular.
"They will look at defensive lapses for the tries -- 12 now conceded in two games -- when Hosea Gear and Dwayne Sweeney took advantage of space on the left for the first-half efforts and substitute Karl Lowe rounded off a move that began with a quick throw-in in the Maori half for the third on 64 minutes.
"They will also examine key failures in the last 10 minutes, a kick to touch that went out on the full and a lineout penalty that could have been avoided when they were pushing for a winning score."
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