Wallabies are improving despite loss: Boss Schmidt

Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident the Wallabies are on an upward trajectory despite seeing his side slip to a late series-deciding loss to the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday.

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The 29-26 defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was the Wallabies second in succession against Andy Farrell’s team and means the Australians have only pride to play for in the final test in Sydney next weekend.

The nature of the performance from a Wallabies side that held an 18-point lead over the tourists at one point before Hugo Keenan's last-gasp winning try has given Schmidt belief his team are moving in the right direction.

"I think they are progressing," said the New Zealander. "It’s never linear. It always tends to ebb and flow.