Farrell sets up Sydney decider

fortable at that ground and the referee was starting to even the count up – it’s a really difficult situation.

“But they stuck together. We had new caps out there at the end of the game and to play with that level of maturity and toughness is a really good sign for the team and for the future.

“This is a very young squad which is developing and they need time. The longer they have together, the better they are going to be, and tonight’s experience will be one of those great lessons you have. Every time you have one of those lessons, you get a bit smarter; you can do your nine times table instead of your six times table and you keep going up.”

Van Poortvliet was having his first start but lost nothing in comparison with his opposite number, the experienced Nic White.

“Really handy,” said Jones. “We’ve selected him because we think he could be a really handy Test half (back). He’s got a good pass, he’s not exceptionally quick but he’s got a good sense for a gap and he’s got a very consistent kicking game. We got a great 80 minutes out of him and Danny, who was outstanding at the end, with his calmness and the way he picked the right option. He’s really adding to the squad – I’m really pleased with his contribution.”

For the Australians it was a chastening night after last weekend’s win in Perth and they have got injury problems of their own with full-back Jordan Petaia suffering a concussion, lock Caderyn Neville and wing Izaia Perese knee injuries and prop Scott Sio losing feeling in his arm.

Head coach Dave Rennie said: “It is a decider and you’re playing for your country. We’ve got depth, and it’s going to be tested next week.

“Injuries are part of the game. We’ve had a few but it wasn’t the reason we lost tonight. We lost the collisions early, the choked us in our half for 30 minutes and we went behind 19-0. A lot of the game was played at our end.”

But Jones signed off by adding: “It’s 1-1. And the pressure’s on the other mob now. So they’ve got to deal with that pressure. We’ll find ways of getting better.”