Last-gasp try saves 'relieved' Wallabies

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt admitted he was “massively relieved” after skipper Harry Wilson scored a last-gasp try to deny a valiant Fiji 21-18 yesterday, avoiding an embarrassing defeat ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.

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In their lone game before facing Andy Farrell's tourists, Australia blew a 14-0 lead in front of a full house in Newcastle, north of Sydney, before Wilson saved their blushes with a minute to go.

It helped erase memories of their stunning 22-15 upset by Fiji during a torturous 2023 World Cup campaign when led by Eddie Jones their first defeat to the Pacific Islanders in 69 years.

But it will have done nothing to strike fear into the Lions, with Australia guilty of missed chances and silly mistakes, denied two tries for forward passes.

“Massively relieved, because you want to get a result,” said Schmidt.

“But disappointed with the performance and I know the players will be looking for more out of themselves, and that has to happen in a very short space of time.

“Thirteen days’ time, we won't be afforded the number of errors that Fiji gave us,” he added, referring to the first Test against the Lions in Brisbane on July 19.