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 0-0 New Zealand, 1 minute
Maro Itoje is up well to claim the stabbed kick off.
Ellis Genge delivers an early statement of intent, thumping Sam Whitelock after a long English clearance, but the hosts are offside.
Kick off nears
France’s Mathieu Raynal will oversee things this evening, called in early in the week after Nic Berry was forced to return to Australia for personal reasons. Brian MacNeice is the TMO.
England in white, New Zealand in black. Richie Mo’unga will get things started.
Haka
Twickenham launches in to familiar refrain as the All Blacks assemble for the haka, drowning out New Zealand’s own challenge. The English players gather together, arms over shoulders, presenting a united front. No formational tomfoolery this time - just deep stares into their opponents’ eyes.
Anthems
Two powerful renditions of the anthems, Twickenham in strong voice as it emphasises the final notes of “God Save the King”.
England vs New Zealand
The ground rises for the national anthems.
England vs New Zealand
Flamethrowers, fireworks and The White Stripes to stir the crowd as the two sets of players ready themselves in the tunnel. Owen Farrell and Brodie Retallick emerge together, each celebrating cap number 100.
Out come the rest of them to a great roar.
England vs New Zealand
Twickenham is jumping this evening, the first late game of the autumn and some well-oiled fans filling the stands. There’s a real big-match feel to this one - a win for either side would feel a real achievement and evidence of progress with less than a year to go until the World Cup.
Team News - New Zealand
Having played around a little with his selection for the Scotland game last week, Ian Foster names a full-strength side for the final All Blacks game of the year. Brodie Retallick is back available after suspension and is straight back into the starting side. Retallick wins his 100th cap in the second row alongside captain Sam Whitelock, the pair locking in partnership for the 64th time, surpassing Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield’s record tally. Scott Barrett moves to blindside flanker.
Richie Mo’unga returns to partner Aaron Smith in the halves, while Jordie Barrett is back in the inside centre shirt he is starting to make his own – Barrett and Rieko Ioane’s battle with Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi could be key. Mark Telea, a two-try debutant last week, remains on the right wing
New Zealand XV: E de Groot, C Taylor, T Lomax; B Retallick, S Whitelock (capt.), S Barrett, D Papali’i, A Savea; A Smith, R Mo’unga; C Clarke, J Barrett, R Ioane, M Telea; B Barrett.
Replacements: S Taukei’aho, G Bower, N Laulala, S Frizell, H Sotutu; TJ Perenara, D Havili, A Lienert-Brown
Team News - England
Owen Farrell becomes just England’s third male centurion, captaining the side from inside centre and reunited with Manu Tuilagi, who steps into the starting line-up after a 20-minute “top-up” off the bench against Japan. Jack Nowell was a late scratch last week but his abdominal injury has healed, while Jack van Poortvliet retains his place ahead of Ben Youngs at scrum-half.
Up front, the balance of the back row catches the eye – Eddie Jones has suggested that his preference for a third proficient lineout jumper may be less critical this week, perhaps recalling how Tom Curry and Sam Underhill so dismantled New Zealand in Yokohama in 2019. Sam Simmonds thus starts on the flank for the first time at international level, with Maro Itoje one row further forward than he has been the last two weeks.Will Stuart is fit to make a return on the bench.
England XV: E Genge, L Cowan-Dickie, K Sinckler; M Itoje, J Hill; S Simmonds, T Curry, B Vunipola; J van Poortvliet, M Smith; J May, O Farrell (capt.), M Tuilagi, J Nowell; F Steward.
Replacements: J George, M Vunipola, W Stuart, D Ribbans, J Willis; B Youngs, H Slade, G Porter
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