Harsh lessons are duly noted

John O'Sullivan finds Denis Leamy and Matt McCullough bitterly disappointed but still determined to look on the bright side

Could've, would've, should've - three words that never tangibly affect the outcome. Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan once again dealt in mitigation and turning points but to do so fails to address the big picture at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. Turning points are open-ended, capable of going one way or the other, palliatives invoked only by the losers.

Ireland's first-half effort was hindered by carelessness; the second 40 minutes were largely rank. The home side was prised open with remarkable ease, the Aussies finally managing to throw off the torpor and anxiety that had hitherto dogged them. The game itself was like a slow bicycle race.

Ireland did take steps forward in the seven days from the All Blacks thumping, notably a more aggressive defence in which the back row, as a unit, were very much in the van. If the coach is looking for positives then he'll no doubt alight on the collective abrasion of captain Simon Easterby, Johnny O'Connor and Denis Leamy.

All three were excellent, the unit went well and in terms of the individual honours, O'Connor shaded it. They turned over plenty of Aussie ball, a statistic that should be all the more unpalatable to their team-mates.

A common perception in rugby is that turnover ball is the best from which to make telling incisions against opposition defences - the Irish managed just a single try.

O'Connor made one glorious first-half break and had Gordon D'Arcy in support.D'Arcy changed his line and went from the outside shoulder back inside just as O'Connor looked outside. Darcy's tactic would have been blameless if he'd been running with a fellow back, but he should have been in possession of the ball 15 metres after O'Connor burst through the hole.

The centre is the ideal man to threaten a back-pedalling Australian defence - and if he'd been tackled, O'Connor would have been on hand to secure the ruck ball.

It's a detail, but one the Australians or New Zealanders would hardly have overlooked: good habits, good decisions.

It's as churlish to dwell on what was a decent effort by both players as it would be to cavil with Leamy's performances over the two matches. On current form, he simply has to play. Personal plaudits though were far from the agenda as he considered the disappointment of another defeat.

"Really for our efforts in the first half we should have scored a try or two. Going in at 6-3 was very disappointing and we possibly didn't turn the screw enough at vital times when we were attacking. We didn't get what we deserved out of it."

Leamy was not entirely downbeat.

"There are positives out of it today. Really a lot of our defensive work was very good. There was a big improvement in that. It's just unfortunate that they got a couple of breakaway tries that you can't allow for, but as a (defensive) system it was good.

"In the contact area we got a lot of joy, turned over a lot of ball. We made our tackles. From that point of view we can be pretty happy about it. We (the back row) worked well. I am pretty happy with the unit. From my own point of view the last two weeks have seen some harsh lessons but I think I'll be better player for it."

Another young player for whom this game was a steep learning curve was replacement secondrow Matt McCullough. The Ulster lock came on following Malcolm O'Kelly's sickening collision and endured the sort of afternoon that doesn't feature in schoolboy dreams.

It was completely out of character for him to put down balls, and he is a much better player than he indicated on Saturday.

"I dropped two passes out there, which I'm gutted about, to be honest. In both cases I haven't held my depth and overrun them reaching for the ball.

"It's where I want to be out in those positions and running at smaller men. I'm desperately disappointed. For skills to break down when we've done well to get out into those wide positions is not good enough.

"It's something I have to look at and is hugely disappointing . . . I know I can do it and it's just a matter of being more composed. I have got to go back to Ulster, hopefully not until two weeks' time, and work hard on those skills so that when they're put under pressure in those situations and that arena, that they don't break down.

"It's about getting back to basics, take the lessons that I have learned: you have to make an impact at every ruck, you have to make an impact at every tackle. (It's about) taking that home and working on it from now until the next team is picked."

He viewed his delayed arrival on the pitch as a mixed blessing. "It's a bit of an adrenaline spike but the positive side of it is that you can listen to what the coaches are saying, what they want you to do, take on board the advice and then try and calm down.

"There are two glaring mistakes I've made. Because I knew that if I had taken both passes I was in space I (was) a wee bit anxious.

"The important thing is that I learn my lessons, that I retain that depth and stay relaxed when taking the pass. It's about doing damage then. I won't be afraid to be in those positions again."

McCullough should not be alone in his desire not to repeat errors.

Accountability and honesty on and off the pitch are hugely important for Ireland's future development. The blame game is destructive. It'll be interesting to see who puts up their hands.