Sunday 23 November 2014 09:09, UK
Jamie Heaslip was delighted that Ireland managed to hold on to record a 26-23 victory over Australia in Dublin, completing their first autumn Test series clean sweep since 2006.
Ireland took a 17-0 lead in the first half before the visitors struck back to level matters at 20-20 at the break and Heaslip was aware of Australia's threat as the hosts held on.
He told Sky Sports: "It was one of the fastest games I've played in a long time.
"We got a good start. A couple of errors there and we let them back into the game and you've seen Australia over the last couple of games. They're a side that just keep in the game, they keep coming and keep applying pressure.
"(They) play a very fast-tempo game if you allow them. But (we put in) lots of effort there to really apply pressure, get points and we're pleased with the win."
On the early errors that led to the Wallabies first-half comeback, the Leinster number eight added: "You get sides like Australia, they're always going to force it. They're always going to put pressure on you and it'll be frustrating to look at when we come back again.
"But it's a great effort, three games, three wins and a lot of work, but we're a very happy side here."
Ireland atoned for last year's 32-15 defeat to Australia in combative style, refusing to relent at the death and Heaslip believes they can carry that confidence with them as they have one eye on the World Cup next year.
Ireland stretched their winning run to seven consecutive wins, and Heaslip said: "There's a lot of games now - when we go back to our clubs and we have the Six Nations - we've built confidence all right.
"We've built on a foundation we've laid for the past couple of years. There's a lot to improve on again so, whatever confidence we have, Joe (Schmidt) will surely take it apart a little bit come the Christmas camp, but we can be quite proud of those three performances."
