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Rugby Union

O'Connell admits side made too many blunders against Aussies

14/06/2008

Ireland lock Paul O'Connell slammed his side for their host of errors after their 18-12 loss to Australia in Melbourne.

The Irish led 7-5 in the Telstra Dome when Denis Leamy's try, which was converted by Ronan O'Gara, cancelled out Berrick Barnes' effort.

But the home side took a 15-7 lead into half-time after James Horwill's try, and a penalty from Matt Giteau after the Irish back row had been penalised for not binding.

Giteau added another penalty on 42 minutes after a mistake by Paddy Wallace.

Brian O'Driscoll crossed the line on 62 minutes for Ireland's second try, but it was not enough to prevent a narrow defeat by Michael Bradley 's side.

O'Connell admitted he was as much to blame for making errors which allowed the Wallabies back into the game.

If we cut out the mistakes, we would have won the game and that is very disappointing," O'Connell said.

"If we want to get to the next level, we need to cut that out.

"We conceded two soft tries. I don't think Matt Giteau should have been allowed to offload for the second try, nor Lote Tuqiri for the first try.

"We've been together as a team a good few years now and we need to start stepping up and winning down in the southern hemisphere."