Gordon believes his side’s performance in their 14-point defeat against Scotland at Murrayfield was inconsistent with the improvements made under Schmidt.
“We believe we’re improving, we’re probably pretty disappointed with the game over the weekend,” Gordon said. “I wouldn’t say [we] went backwards, but definitely weren’t where we thought we needed to be for that game [against Scotland] ... Our discipline was off, we let in far too many penalties, especially on the defensive side of the game.
The expected return of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has boosted the Wallabies in DublinCredit: Getty Images
“We couldn’t really get our attack going ... had some misses in defence and then compounded with some poor decision-making which led to them I guess getting access into our 22, and they took their opportunities in that second half.”
The Wallabies are expected to recall breakaway Fraser McReight and centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the starting lineup against Ireland to deal with the increased physicality they are expecting.
Gordon and his teammates have been boosted by the news that Suaalii’s wrist is not broken, and the halfback is relieved that the centre is also his clubmate.
“He adds quite a lot, the aerial threat he brings to the game. I think you saw very early on the weekend, especially that England game, I guess his ability to get the restarts back, he’s a big, tall, strong guy, he can sort of get his hand free in contact and he goes bloody hard as well,” Gordon said.
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“Like if he’s going to run, he’s going to run hard, he tackles hard too like you saw on the weekend, but I think his adjustments has been unreal, I think he’s looked right at home.”
The Wallabies are staying in the quieter outer suburbs of Dublin, giving the team ample time to spend together away from the compact city centre with flags flying all over advertising the game from pubs and lampposts.
As a fellow first-time tourist with the Wallabies, prop Isaac Kailea has enjoyed spending time with Suaalii off the field and has found a man that plays as hard on the pitch as he does at the card table.
“It’s kind of weird, he’s very mature and he’s super competitive,” Kailea said. “So any games, you know, card games, especially this guy [Jake Gordon] organises, he’s very competitive, [he] always wants to win.
“And, I think you see that out in the field, he’s mature, competitive and yeah, quite chill as well, which is a bit of a weird mix, but I think he sorts it out.”