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 0-14 New Zealand, 13 minutes
Can England puncture this All Blacks maul defence? It is now schooled by Jason Ryan, whose Crusaders have proved so effective at countering the drive in the last few years.
They cannot! An issue on set-up, with lifters in front of the jumper as he comes to floor and a penalty to New Zealand.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 12 minutes
England come to life for the first time in this contest. Manu Tuilagi and Ellis Genge carry with typical fury, with Jonny May nearly slithering free of Mark Telea, too. Kyle Sinckler twice rumbles with intent.
New Zealand are offside. Penalty to England, and a choice to be made - it’s eminently kickable but 100-capper Owen Farrell will direct his forwards to the corner.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 11 minutes
New Zealand have clearly identified something in the English wing defence, Jack Nowell again targeted with a cross-kick. This time the Exeter wing does rather better, hitting Caleb Clarke as he lands and buffeting him into touch.
TRY! England 0-14 NEW ZEALAND (Codie Taylor try, 9 minutes)
A rumbling black mass and Codie Taylor is over!
Muscular and meaty from New Zealand, driving right through the English maul defence. Scott Barrett barks orders as the periscope at the centre of it, roaring his delight as Codie Taylor just about manages to get the ball down.
Jordie Barrrett thumps his conversion through the uprights from a left-of-centre position - New Zealand’s start gets even better.
England 0-7 New Zealand, 8 minutes
Penalty to New Zealand. Kyle Sinckler is ruled to have hinged on the engagement of the first scrum.
The All Blacks go to the corner.
England 0-7 New Zealand, 7 minutes
Real signs of danger for England here. Richie Mo’unga lifts a well-judged cross-kick to Caleb Clarke, who takes in comfort and matadors away from Jack Nowell’s bull-like charge, advancing into the England 22.
Marcus Smith makes a firm tackle but New Zealand keep the ball in play, and England knock on.
England 0-7 New Zealand, 6 minutes
Rather telegraphed from England, that, and very sharp from Papali’i to read it. He’s been excellent in recent weeks, the openside, and is really now pushing regular skipper Sam Cane for the starting spot.
The All Blacks will feed a scrum after a knock on at the base.
TRY! England 0-7 NEW ZEALAND (Dalton Papali’i try, 4 minutes)
Intercepted and Dalton Papali’i will canter away!
A gift from England. Their lineout throw is long, over the 15-metre line, permitting New Zealand’s defence to advance. Papali’i rushes up to snatch Jack van Poortvliet’s pass out of the air, puts his foot down and gets New Zealand off to an excellent start with a slide beneath the posts.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 3 minutes
An exasperated sigh from the home fans as Jack van Poortvliet launches a relatively aimless box kick after England had won turnover ball inside the New Zealand half. Jordie Barrett collects and claims a mark.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 2 minutes
Scott Barrett at the tail is the target of Codie Taylor’s first lineout throw, the ball not clean but Dalton Papali’i able to clear up.
Fast pla from New Zealand, with both centres to the fore. Rieko Ioane carries off Jordie Barrett’s pass and then the youngs Barrett makes a half-break.
England regather, though, and force a knock on, allowing Marcus Smith to hook a clearance long.
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