Ireland vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from autumn international as Ireland edge to tight win
Ireland 13-10 Australia: Ross Byrne’s late pressure penalty was enough for the hosts to edge to victory after Bundee Aki got their only try
Ross Byrne landed a dramatic late penalty as Ireland overcame the loss of captain Johnny Sexton to cap a stellar year with a disjointed 13-10 win over Australia. Replacement fly-half Byrne nailed a difficult kick from wide on the right with just three minutes remaining in Dublin to earn Ireland a record-equalling 12th successive home victory.
Andy Farrell’s men struggled for large parts of a disappointing contest and could easily have ended 2022 with a serious reality check against opponents beaten by Italy just last weekend.
Ireland centre Bundee Aki marked his return from an eight-game ban with the opening try but the game remained in the balance in the closing stages after Jordan Petaia crossed for the Wallabies.
A difficult evening for the Irish began with talisman Sexton withdrawing through injury, with his deputy Jack Crowley booting five points on his maiden Test start before Byrne, who was elevated to the bench at the 11th hour, proving to be the match-winner.
Relive the action from the autumn international between Ireland and Australia below:
England 3-14 New Zealand, 26 minutes
England on the board, then, but New Zealand will be much more pleased with how these opening skirmishes have gone. England have looked punchy in phase play but have failed to capitalise fully on a couple of chances in the opposition 22 - the All Blacks, by contrast, were perfectly accurate with this maul:
PENALTY! ENGLAND 3-14 New Zealand (Owen Farrell penalty, 25 minutes)
Having spurned an opportunity for points earlier, Owen Farrell says it is time for England to get on the board - he kicks through the three points from the tee.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 23 minutes
A restless energy amongst the crowd gives way to a cry of heave as Jack van Poortvliet feeds the scrum. The English pack oblige, earning a penalty for a knee on the floor.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 21 minutes
The All Blacks fancy a length-of-the-field number. Brodie Retallick, their centurion this evening, gallops up the right like a giraffe in open savannah, deftly evading two tacklers.
But a loose pass from Richie Mo’unga travels forward. England scrum deep in New Zealand territory.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 20 minutes
England lineout inside the New Zealand 22. Efficiently done, and Sam Simmonds carries strongly.
More like it from the hosts. Energy and intensity from their carriers, Maro Itoje with a heavyweight left hook around the corner.
The ball spills free! Another chance goes awry for England in the shadow of New Zealand’s posts!
England 0-14 New Zealand, 19 minutes
New Zealand slow things down, taking their time over a couple of midfield rucks as their playmakers ponder the options. A high hoist it will be again, off the boot of Beauden Barrett in the direction of brother Jordie.
The ball tumbles free from tangled hands white and black, but Mathieu Raynal is bringing the players back - Aaron Smith advanced from an offside position and it will be an England penalty.
No try! England 0-14 New Zealand, 17 minutes
Rieko Ioane has scuppered his own score! It’s pretty clear on the replay, the centre around the neck of Owen Farrell at a ruck on the right after Mark Telea had been very, very well felled by Manu Tuilagi.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 16 minutes
New Zealand on the attack again! The ball is clearly out as Jack van Poortvliet dallies at the base, and Ardie Savea sternly investigates the scrum-half’s lower vertebrae, forcing it free.
Space for the All Blacks - Rieko Ioane crashes over! But has there been a neck roll in the build up?...
England 0-14 New Zealand, 15 minutes
Again New Zealand look to the air, Caleb Clarke once more the target with Jordie Barrett this time the deliverer. England have adjusted, though, the rather loftier Freddie Steward there to defuse Barrett’s bomb. England lineout 15 metres from their own line.
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