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

Johnny Sexton says Ireland will ‘only be the best team by winning’ World Cup

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:

Ireland vs Australia

• FULL-TIME! Ireland 13-10 Australia
• Ross Byrne’s late penalty edges Ireland to narrow win over Wallabies
• 76’ - PENALTY! Byrne nails pressure penalty to put Ireland ahead (IRE 13-10 AUS)
• 70’ - TRY! Petaia slices through to level things up (IRE 10-10 AUS)
• 66’ - TRY! Aki powers over for game’s first try (IRE 10-3 AUS)
• HALF-TIME! Ireland 3-0 Australia

[19 November 2022 22:01 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 10-10 Australia, 75 mins

Penalty to Ireland after an infringement at the scrum. This is a tricky kick, out on the right-hand side on the ten-metre line but Ross Byrne is going to go for the posts...

[19 November 2022 21:58 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 10-10 Australia, 73 mins

Australia stick up a high ball and Wright knocks on while competing in the air. Ireland scrum on the right-hand side on the ten-metre line. A decent platform here.

One penalty could be the difference between the sides.

[19 November 2022 21:55 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 10-10 AUSTRALIA (Petaia, 70 mins)

Ireland offside at the breakdown, free play for Australia and they take advantage!

They opt to spread the ball to the right, Nawaqanitawase carries, passes to Jordan Petaia and it’s a three on one outside, he dummies the pass and slices over the try.

Big conversion for Foley on the right and he curls it through. We’re all level at 10s!

[19 November 2022 21:54 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 10-3 Australia, 69 mins

Another breakdown penalty against Ireland as Sheehan, among others, not supporting his bodyweight. A lineout on the Irish 22 for Australia.

Safely won and a big carry from Skelton into the 22 itself.

[19 November 2022 21:51 · Luke Baker]

TRY! IRELAND 10-3 Australia (Aki, 66 mins)

And it’s there! Finally!

Casey opts to take the ball out of the forwards’ hands. Flat pass to Bundee Aki on the crash ball and he powers through two tacklers to get over the line by the posts. Tough to stop him from there. Simple conversion added by Crowley. Breakthrough!

[19 November 2022 21:50 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-3 Australia, 65 mins

Lineout won and then a brilliant, barrelling carry by Doris takes them within five metres. The Aviva roar can be heard now.

Penalty coming for Ireland. Australia defending for their lives. Van der Flier carries, held up short. Sheehan has a go. Inches out now...

[19 November 2022 21:49 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-3 Australia, 64 mins

Dominant tackle by Ireland forcing Australia back into their own 22 and Ringrose then makes a brilliant catch on the left touchline before his offload gives them good field position.

Eurgh... Another knock-on in contact so it’s an Australian scrum. Actually no! Replay spots that Ringrose was contacted in the air so it’s an Ireland penalty.

A lineout int he Australian 22. Golden opportunity. The crowd are into it now!

[19 November 2022 21:47 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-3 Australia, 63 mins

Jimmy O’Brien spills a high ball before Ikitau tries a chip over the top which skids into touch on the Irish 22. Ikitau then has a mammoth collision with the ball-carrying Aki - hard to tell who came off better there.

Neither side looks particularly comfortable in possession, Ireland also struggling a bit under the high ball. But Skelton gets isolated on a carry and Doris gets the turnover as Skelton holds on.

That means an Irish lineout just outside the 22 but it’s lost and the Wallabies can kick clear. Scrappy, scrappy stuff.

[19 November 2022 21:43 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-3 Australia, 59 mins

Australia reset from deep and Kellaway slides between a couple of tackles before a kick apiece ends with Keenan finding a good touch in the Australia half.

One moment of magic could decide this game as we head into the final 20 minutes. It’s been a game sorely lacking in magic so far.

[19 November 2022 21:41 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-3 Australia, 57 mins

Ireland give away a penalty from the kick-off as Beirne pulls down a maul. Australia set up around halfway following the lineout and Skelton keeps his legs driving on a carry to make some ground.