All Stars lose first rules Test in Ireland Coach Michael O'Loughlin blasted his Indigenous All Stars for failing to apply pressure on the Irish in the first international rules Test which the hosts won easily 57-35 on Saturday night at Cavan. Australia were outclassed in the first half trailing 17-4 at quarter-time and 28-9 at the main break. Former Sydney Swans star O'Loughlin fired up the all-indigenous team at halftime and Steven Motlop - one of the All Stars' best - should have closed the margin to five points early in the final quarter. But, he booted the round ball into the open goal's crossbar from a few metres out and momentum swung back to Ireland. "Our ability to apply pressure was non-existent in that first half," O'Loughlin said. For a team that prides itself on being able to chase and tackle and (have) that unrelenting presence out there, it was disappointing. Our guys got a real big wake-up call tonight. Some guys got found out. O'Loughlin singled out Lance Franklin for praise as "absolutely brilliant." The coach admitted it would be tough to win the series on aggregate with the second and final Test to be played in Dublin next Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT). But stranger things have happened. These guys have good character and I know they'll respond. They're used to digging their heels in and fighting. O'Loughlin said the Irish players had steeled themselves for a hard-fought contest and applied constant pressure. We were simply beaten at our own game. When that happens, blokes panic and make mistakes. The Australian team at times were confused by the compromise rules taking more than the allowed two bounces or chasing balls to the boundary when leaving it would have resulted in an All Stars possession. Captain Daniel Wells said at halftime the coach asked the team to slow play down which helped Australia get back in the match. Ireland's Zach Tuohy scored the first six-point goal at the 11-minute mark of the third quarter but, a few minutes later, Jake Neade found the net for the All Stars. That was followed by overs from Lewis Jetta and Alwyn Davey to get Australia within 12 at the final break. "I thought it was a great fightback," Wells told reporters. It was Motey who missed it (the open goal) but his effort tonight was really good. He's a man with many tricks but that's the way he plays. Looking to Saturday's Croke Park fixture, the reigning North Melbourne best-and-fairest said: "we need to respond." Every man is going to be judged on how they play.. Ireland manager Paul Earley was pleased but not prepared to say the hosts had the series in the bag despite the 2-12-9 to 1-7-8 scoreline. There's another game to go. You see the way they (Australia) improved in that third quarter - that will give them a lot of confidence. We can't underestimate them next week or take anything for granted.