Ireland v Australia LIVE: Rugby score and result as Irish end autumn with win over Wallabies
Ireland wrapped up the autumn internationals with victory in Dublin
Ireland fought back from a halftime deficit to mark a 150th anniversary with a scruffy 22-19 victory over Australia on Saturday, sealing the victory in the last eight minutes and denying their former coach Joe Schmidt a winning return.
The home side, celebrating Irish rugby’s birthday, were 13-5 down at the break but rallied back from an error-filled first half to post a narrow success.
Ireland’s points came from tries by Josh van der Flier, captain Caelan Doris and substitute Gus McCarthy, with new flyhalf Sam Prendergast contributing a penalty and conversion and his replacement Jack Crowley a conversion.
Max Jorgensen scored Australia’s lone try, with Noah Lolesio kicking over four penalties and a conversion, as they lost for a second straight week after Scotland beat them last Sunday.
Ireland produce late comeback to end autumn with win over Australia
Full report:
Ireland produce late comeback to end autumn campaign with win over Australia
Gus McCarthy’s try helped the hosts narrowly come out on top against former head coach Joe Schmidt.
Summary: Ireland cling on to beat Australia
Ireland fought back from a halftime deficit to mark a 150th anniversary with a scruffy 22-19 victory over Australia on Saturday, sealing the victory in the last eight minutes and denying their former coach Joe Schmidt a winning return.
The home side, celebrating Irish rugby’s birthday, were 13-5 down at the break but rallied back from an error-filled first half to post a narrow success.
Ireland’s points came from tries by Josh van der Flier, captain Caelan Doris and substitute Gus McCarthy, with new flyhalf Sam Prendergast contributing a penalty and conversion and his replacement Jack Crowley a conversion.
Max Jorgensen scored Australia’s lone try, with Noah Lolesio kicking over four penalties and a conversion, as they lost for a second straight week after Scotland beat them last Sunday.
Player of the match Caelan Doris speaks
“Relief, and enjoyment too. Quality side, their attack was right up there and a challenge for our team, it was back and forth throughout the game, and delighted with the outcome.
“We spoke at half-time about leaving the first half in the past, and we were much better in the second half.”
Full-time: Ireland 22-19 Australia
Ireland win a penalty at the breakdown and that’s the full-time whistle! They’ve done just enough to end the year with a win against a testing Australian side.
Ireland 22-19 Australia
79 min: Australia earn a lineout near the halfway line and this will be their last attack...
Ireland 22-19 Australia
78 min: Tadhg Beirne spills the ball carrying into contact, and that was perhaps a bit silly from Ireland, passing the ball so quickly when they just needed to keep hold of it. Australia have a scrum inside their own half...
Ireland 22-19 Australia
77 min: The match is paused after Australia’s Tane Edmed gets down low to tackle and takes a blow to the head in the process. That’s unfortunate, and he’s being told to go off for his own safety.
Ireland 22-19 Australia
75 min: Australia have been in defensive mode for the past 20 minutes, but now they are taking the game to Ireland in the Irish half, chasing a return score. Yet a fumbled pass gives up the ball and Ireland can eat into the clock now with a scrum.
Try! Ireland 22-19 Australia (McCarthy, 74 min)
A telling moment as full-back Tom Wright catches a bouncing ball which was heading off the pitch anyway, and in doing so gives Ireland a lineout near the corner. The hosts take full advantage, setting up a maul and rolling over the line for a try by Gus McCarthy!
Crowley adds the extras from a tight angle.
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