Australia 31-33 Ireland Australia and Ireland shared ten tries but in the end a penalty denied the home side a win. Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan and Thomas Clarkson crossed for Ireland, that last try from the tighthead came three minutes from time. As it was, added-time decisions in each half ultimately decided the match: an Ireland try in the first period and a missed Australian penalty in the second. Both were highly controversial albeit for contrasting reasons, the first
was from a forward pass suggested Joe Schmidt, the second because he could get the right communication onto the field. Australia started so well, Dylan Pietsch held his width as they outflanked Ireland out right in the third minute. width as they outflanked Ireland out right in the third minute; matched by a close range Cian Prendergast in the eighth minute. Full-back Josh Campbell crossed as Australia out-flanked Ireland on the right again, even having an extra man over, in the 15th minute; only for
van der Flier to dot down off the first pass from a tap penalty. Australia, though, posted tries in the 25th and 28th minutes minutes after a Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii break gained the Wallabies territory, which eventually saw debutant Josh Canham score from close range. While instead of replying as happened on the two previous occasions, Ireland watched in horror as, while on attack, Sam Prendergast threw an intercept pass to Max Jorgensen. The winger lacked the pace to reach the 60m to the line and
he was chased down by Stuart McCloskey but an inside pass over the Irish centre fell for supporting scrum-half Ryan Lonergan to score. Australia had missed their first two conversions; Ireland had missed their second. Consequently, the home side were 12 points up at 24-12 as the 40th minute ticked through. Ireland spurned putting the ball out of play and Jack Conan makes a bust inside the Wallabies half, flips the ball to Gibson-Park who scores; Schmidt thought the pass was forward, but the score
survived a TMO check. Five points down, Ireland score first in the second-half. Attacking the Aussie goal line on advantage, Gibson-Park found Garry Ringrose who popped a short pass to Keenan for a 48th minute try. Australia cancel this out with a Tate McDermott try five minutes later. Australia was awarded a penalty and took a scrum. They were then awarded a free kick there, the scrum-half tapped quickly catching the Irish defence cold. James Ryan knocked on at a key moment, Dan Sheehan had
a ‘try’ harshly ruled out, but Irish dominance resulted in a Lachie Shaw yellow card. Finally, Clarkson bashes over from a tap penalty. Ireland had three minutes left to defend and, doing okay, were left in a lurch when Bundee Aki offended at a ruck, 45 metres out, five metres in from the right touchline. Australia told the ref they were going for the difficult kick and by the time Schmidt had the message on the field to opt for their (dominant) scrum, it was
too late. Ben Donaldson’s long range kick from the right, started right and stayed right. Ireland wins. Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt). Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright. Sin-bin: Shaw (76) Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom
O’Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan. Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki. Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond
Ireland vs Australia, rugby union, Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan, Thomas Clarkson, added time, Ben O'Keeffe, Ben Donaldson, Lachie Shaw yellow card, Bundee Aki