The Wallabies put in a much improved scrum performance in Ireland © Getty Images

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Features: Winning Wallabies still not entitled to party

Matches: Ireland 15 - 32 Australia

The Wallabies maligned pack staunchly believe they've turned a weakness into a strength after putting the critics in their place by outscrummaging Ireland at Aviva Stadium. Australia's forwards made a statement they should no longer be perceived as easybeats by overpowering the physical Irish in Sunday morning's (AEDT) impressive 32-15 victory in Dublin.

The visitors took Ireland on in the set piece from the outset and enjoyed the rewards in the four-try thumping. Their superiority was shown best when they chose to pack down with seven on eight, after Tevita Kuridrani was sent off, and won a 74th minute tight-head.

Captain Ben Mowen said his pack wanted to be known for a strong scrum and they'd been fired up to show their true wares following heavy criticism through The Rugby Championship and after the 20-13 tour-opening loss to England.

"We haven't been happy with a lot of criticism that comes our way because we've got a very good scrum," No.8 Mowen said. "I don't think if you asked many blokes up here they would rate our scrum. But that's why we want to leave this tour knowing that the performance we leave on the park, we can plant a seed of doubt there. Because we've got guys who can really go well in that area, and it's something we're passionate about doing. To do the job we did at the end of the game, with seven players, I thought was outstanding."

Loosehead prop James Slipper enjoyed a dominant display against respected Irish scrum anchor Mike Ross, forcing two penalties. Australia's scrum also played a pivotal role in the key moment of the match when they forced a change of feed 5m out from Ireland's line and then laid a strong platform for Quade Cooper to slice his way over for a 22-12 lead.

"It's becoming a really good platform for us to attack from," Mowen said. "You can see the development, there is so much that scrum has got now, we've got really good experience across the front row, we've got powerful scrumming locks. There is a willingness to scrum, we want to be in the scrum. When you're enjoying that challenge, you look forward to playing the big scrums."

Australia also enjoyed lineout dominance by clinically winning all six on their own throw, including one which led to their driving maul try, and stealing two of Ireland's eight.