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:
TRY! SCOTLAND 45-22 Argentina (Stuart Hogg try, 74 minutes)
Another pinpoint assist from Finn Russell!
All too easy for Scotland with Argentina really starting to fatigue. The maul constricts their defence, the end-man on the line holds slightly too wide and Russell fizzes a delectable pass for Stuart Hogg to catch and leap for the line.
Scotland 38-22 Argentina, 73 minutes
Argentina are restored to 14 and Scotland 15 as the hosts prepare for a five-metre lineout.
Scotland 38-22 Argentina, 72 minutes
Scotland fancy a couple more scores to close their 2022. Finn Russell chips ahead, but there’s nothing doing as Argentina hurry around to cover.
Back for a penalty for a tackler failing to roll away.
Scotland 38-22 Argentina, 70 minutes
That is Argentina’s hopes of victory extinguished, you’d say, but this has been a good effort since Marcos Kremer’s early sending off. Both Jamie Ritchie and Thomas Gallo remain off for the next couple of minutes.
TRY! SCOTLAND 38-22 Argentina (Cameron Redpath try, 69 minutes)
Another delicate assist from Finn Russell and Cameron Redpath has his first try for Scotland!
This really has been a masterclass of creative attacking play. An ailing Argentine defence are short in the backfield and slow off the line, granting Russell the time and space he needs to find a patch of green, gaping grass. His gruber is perfectly weighted, hopping up like an excited puppy into the onrushing Redpath’s arms.
Russell converts, too.
Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 67 minutes
Argentina win a penalty but can’t find touch. Sione Tuipulotu takes advantage of some open acreage on the right and Scotland return to the Argentine 22.
Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 66 minutes
Finn Russell thumps a low kick up the right, the ball trickling out of play five out from the Argentina line.
Pierre Schoeman is replaced by Jamie Bhatti.
Argentina throw the lineout accurately and clear - but Darcy Graham is in no mood to dally, tossing a quick lineout with Bhatti soon into his carrying work.
Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 65 minutes
Argentina hold firm again! Zander Fagerson’s squattier frame follows Redpath’s lead in crossing the line, but there is an Argentine body beneath him.
Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 64 minutes
Held up! So close for Cameron Redpath, driving close with a bish and bash but not quite delivering the requisite bosh to force the ball to floor. Scotland take a scrum option from a penalty.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments