| Ireland (3) 13 |
| Tries: Aki Cons: Crowley PensCrowley, Byrne |
| Australia (0) 10 |
| Tries: Petaia Cons: Foley Pens: Foley |
Ross Byrne’s 77th minute penalty won Ireland victory over Australia in a bitter Autumn Test in Dublin.
Minutes before kick-off, Johnny Sexton suffered a calf injury that prevented him from being drafted by Byrne into the Irish team.
Sexton was out so Jack Crowley took over at fly-half. His 10th-minute penalty was his only score in the first half.
Bernard Foley equalized in 56 minutes. Jordan Petaia’s scoring cancelled Bundee Aki’s converted attempt. Byrne won it for Ireland.
Foley had an opportunity to score a late penalty from the 22 edge. Foley decided to kick for the corner to try to win, but it backfired when they conceded a penalty after winning lineout.
After a dominating first half with 62% possession, the Aussies will be puzzled at how they managed to defeat the top-ranked team in the world. They also looked more cohesive in attack throughout the contest.
We will keep you posted.
Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, McCloskey, O’Brien; Sexton, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Ryan; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Herring, Healy, Bealham, McCarthy, Conan, Casey, Crowley, Aki.
Australia: Kellaway; Nawaqanitawase, Ikitau, Paisami, Wright; Foley, White; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa; Frost, Neville; Holloway, Hooper, Valetini.
Replacements: Fainga’a, Robertson, Tupou, Skelton, Samu, Gordon, Lolesio, Petaia.