Eire concluded their Autumn Nations Collection marketing campaign with a hard-fought 22-19 win over Australia on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The Wallabies led for a lot of the competition and held a 13-5 benefit on the interval due to Max Jorgensen’s try to some very good kicking from Noah Lolesio.
Sam Prendergast, making his second begin for Eire, didn’t convert Josh van der Flier’s strive within the opening interval however he made no such mistake with a penalty and conversion shortly after the break to present the hosts the lead for the primary time within the match.
Eire’s second strive of the afternoon got here as their captain and participant of the match Caelen Doris charged over beneath the posts following an attacking line-out.
Joe Schmidt’s aspect restored their lead by way of a few Lolesio penalties however Gus McCarthy scored a late attempt to give Eire the essential benefit.
The 21-year-old, making his second look following his begin towards Fiji final week, was on the coronary heart of the maul that was capable of recover from the road to make the successful rating.
They produced one other spectacular show on Saturday with scientific visits into the Irish 22 and resolute defending towards Eire’s attacking combos.
The house aspect have been missing a level of innovative and creativity within the Australian 22 and this was compounded by quite a lot of dealing with errors and poor line-outs.
Crucially although for the Irish head coach, his aspect have been capable of grind a win over the road with certainly one of his substitutes producing the decisive second.
Speaking level – Afternoon of subplots in Dublin
There have been a collection of subplots simmering away throughout this conflict, with essentially the most notable being Cian Healy coming off the bench late on to clinch his record-breaking 134th cap for Eire after making his debut in 2009.
He’s now the main appearance-maker for the nation, taking the file from Brian O’Driscoll, with whom he shared it with earlier than this afternoon.
In the meantime, it was an emotional return for Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt making his return to Eire after taking cost of the aspect between 2013 and 2019.
As for Farrell, who was Schmidt’s assistant from 2016, he was taking cost of his ultimate match earlier than main the British and Irish Lions of their tour towards the Wallabies in Australia subsequent yr.
Participant of the match – Caelen Doris (Eire)
It was one other distinctive efficiency from Eire’s captain who received by way of a lot work, making 15 tackles and 12 carries, and scored an important strive which gave the hosts the lead for the primary time within the match.
Participant rankings
Eire: 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.
Key moments
20′ – TRY! IRELAND 0-10 AUSTRALIA (JORGENSEN): After going shut down their proper, Australia transfer it slickly over to their left and it is finally labored out to Jorgensen on the left touch-line and he can dive for the nook.
23′ – TRY! IRELAND 5-10 AUSTRALIA (VAN DER FLIER): After a quantity attacking phases following the line-out, Eire work it over to the left of the posts and Van Der Flier will get over the road.
50′ – TRY! IRELAND 15-13 AUSTRALIA (DORIS): Eire shuffle it alongside from the line-out on the fitting. Henshaw is stored out as he goes for the road however it’s shortly moved alongside to captain Doris who prices over beneath the posts to attain Eire’s second strive.
74′ – TRY! IRELAND 22-19 AUSTRALIA (McCARTHY): Following the line-out Eire drive effectively within the maul with the benefit however they do not want it as they floor it by way of Gus McCarthy to take the lead!
Key stat
- After making his debut towards Fiji final week, Gus McCarthy has registered two tries and three assists in his first two Irish matches.
