Joe Schmidt wants spirit of 1979 heroes to inspire future

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has thrown down the gauntlet to his Six Nations champions to emulate the heroes of 1979 by winning a Test series in Australia when they face the Wallabies for a third and decisive time on Saturday.

Peter O’Mahony’s side levelled the series at one apiece in Melbourne last Saturday with a spirited bounce back from an opening Test defeat in Brisbane seven days earlier. It reaped a 26-21 victory at AAMI Park on the 39th anniversary of Ireland’s series-clinching win at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Fergus Slattery’s side won 9-3 having won the first Test 27-12 at Ballymore in Brisbane.

Ollie Campbell had been the hero of the tour with his goal-kicking exploits, contributing 28 of his side’s 36 points over the two matches.