Ireland recover to edge past Australia and end year on high

Ireland concluded their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a hard-fought 22-19 win over Australia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

It wasn’t a vintage performance from Andy Farrell’s men but it marks their third victory on the spin after a first home defeat in more than three years against New Zealand that kicked off their campaign.

The Wallabies had led for much of the contest and held a 13-5 advantage at the interval thanks to Max Jorgensen’s try and some superb kicking from Noah Lolesio.

Sam Prendergast, making his second start for Ireland, failed to convert Josh van der Flier’s try in the opening period but he made no such mistake with a penalty and conversion shortly after the break to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.

Ireland’s second try of the afternoon came as their captain and player of the match Caelen Doris charged over underneath the posts following an attacking line-out.

Joe Schmidt’s side restored their lead through a couple of Lolesio penalties but Gus McCarthy scored a late try to give Ireland the crucial advantage.

The 21-year-old, who was making his second appearance following his start against Fiji last week, was at the heart of the maul that was able to get over the line to make the winning score.

Despite a defeat against Scotland last time out, Australia have surprised many with their performances in this campaign after wins against England and Wales.

They produced another impressive display this afternoon with clinical visits into the Irish 22 and resolute defending against Ireland’s attacking combinations.

After a convincing win over Fiji last weekend, Farrell will perhaps be disappointed to see his side just about edge past another opponent as they did against Argentina a fortnight ago.

The home side were lacking a degree of cutting edge and creativity in the Australian 22 and this was compounded by a number of handling errors and poor line-outs.

Crucially though for the Irish head coach, his side were able to grind a win over the line with one of his substitutes producing the decisive moment.

There were a series of subplots simmering away during this clash with the most notable being Cian Healy coming off the bench late on to clinch his record-breaking 134th cap for Ireland after making his debut in 2009.

He is now the leading appearance-maker for the country, taking the record from Brian O’Driscoll with whom he shared it with before this afternoon.

Meanwhile, it was an emotional return for Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt making his return to Ireland after taking charge of the side between 2013 and 2019.

As for Farrell, who was Schmidt’s assistant from 2016, he was taking charge of his final match before leading the Lions in their tour against the Wallabies in Australia next year.

It was another exceptional performance from Ireland’s captain who got through so much work making 15 tackles and 12 carries, and scored a crucial try which gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan 8; Mack Hansen 6, Robbie Henshaw 7, Bundee Aki 7, James Lowe 6; Sam Prendergast 7, Jamison Gibson-Park 7; Andrew Porter 7, Ronan Kelleher 7, Finlay Bealham 6; Joe McCarthy 7, James Ryan 7; Tadhg Beirne 7, Josh van der Flier 8, Caelan Doris 9*.

Replacements: Gus McCarthy 8, Cian Healy 6, Tom O’Toole 6, Iain Henderson 6, Peter O’Mahony 6, Craig Casey 7, Jack Crowley 6, Garry Ringrose 6.

Australia: Tom Wright 6; Andrew Kellaway 7, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6, Len Ikitau 7, Max Jorgensen 8; Noah Lolesio 7, Jake Gordon 7; James Slipper 6, Brandon Paenga-Amosa 7, Taniela Tupou 7; Nick Frost 8, Jeremy Williams 7; Rob Valetini 6, Fraser McReight 7; Harry Wilson 7.

Replacements: Billy Pollard 5, Isaac Kailea 6, Allan Alaalatoa 6, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6, Langi Gleeson N/A, Tate McDermott 6, Tane Edmed N/A, Harry Potter N/A.

20′ – TRY! IRELAND 0-10 AUSTRALIA (JORGENSEN): After going close down their right, Australia move it slickly over to their left and it’s eventually worked out to Jorgensen on the left touch-line and he can dive for the corner.

23′ – TRY! IRELAND 5-10 AUSTRALIA (VAN DER FLIER): After a number attacking phases following the line-out, Ireland work it over to the left of the posts and Van Der Flier gets over the line.

50′ – TRY! IRELAND 15-13 AUSTRALIA (DORIS): Ireland shuffle it along from the line-out on the right. Henshaw is kept out as he goes for the line but it’s quickly moved along to captain Doris who charges over underneath the posts to score Ireland’s second try.

74′ – TRY! IRELAND 22-19 AUSTRALIA (McCARTHY): Following the line-out Ireland drive well in the maul with the advantage but they don’t need it as they ground it through Gus McCarthy to take the lead!

After making his debut against Fiji last week, Gus McCarthy has registered two tries and three assists in his first two Irish matches.