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 v Australia
- Irish face Wallabies at Aviva Stadium, Dublin | TNT Sports 1
- Penalty! Ireland 0-3 Australia (Lolesio, 10 min)
- Try! Ireland 0-10 Australia (Jorgensen, 19 min)
- Try! Ireland 5-10 Australia (Van der Flier, 22 min)
- Penalty! Ireland 5-13 Australia (Lolesio, 33 min)
- Half-time: Ireland 5-13 Australia
- Penalty! Ireland 8-13 Australia (Prendergast, 42 min)
- Try! Ireland 15-13 Australia (Doris, 50 min)
- Penalty! Ireland 15-16 Australia (Lolesio, 57 min)
- Penalty! Ireland 15-19 Australia (Lolesio, 63 min)
- Try! Ireland 22-19 Australia (McCarthy, 74 min)
- Full-time: Ireland 22-19 Australia
Ireland produce late comeback to end autumn with win over Australia
18:29 , Lawrence OstlereFull report:
Ireland produce late comeback to end autumn campaign with win over Australia
Summary: Ireland cling on to beat Australia
18:05 , Lawrence OstlereIreland 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
17:12 , Lawrence Ostlere“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
17:08 , Lawrence OstlereIreland 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
17:07 , Lawrence Ostlere79 min: Australia earn a lineout near the halfway line and this will be their last attack...
Ireland 22-19 Australia
17:05 , Lawrence Ostlere78 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
17:03 , Lawrence Ostlere77 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
17:01 , Lawrence Ostlere75 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)
16:59 , Lawrence OstlereA 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.
Ireland 15-19 Australia
16:55 , Lawrence Ostlere71 min: They can, and maul their way to the line, but it’s held up! Australia kick clear and Ireland come again.
Ireland 15-19 Australia
16:54 , Lawrence Ostlere70 min: Ireland are awarded a penalty about 40 yards from the posts and they elect to kick to the corner. Can they get the lineout right?
Ireland 15-19 Australia
16:51 , Lawrence Ostlere68 min: A pause in play while a Wallaby is treated on the floor gives Ireland a chance to have an impromptu teamtalk. They have about 12 minutes to rescue this match.
Ireland 15-19 Australia
16:49 , Lawrence Ostlere66 min: A moment of Irish history as Cian Healy enters the fray for his 134th cap, overtaking Brian O’Driscoll’s record. A standing ovation around the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland 15-19 Australia
16:48 , Lawrence Ostlere65 min: Another overthrow by Ronan Kelleher gifts an Irish lineout to the Australians.
Farrell makes another two changes, with Vasey and Crowley replacing Gibson-Park and Prendergast.
Penalty! Ireland 15-19 Australia (Lolesio, 63 min)
16:45 , Lawrence OstlereCaelan Doris in penalised for holding on close to the halfway line, and Noah Lolesio hammers it through the posts with room to spare.
Ireland 15-16 Australia
16:43 , Lawrence Ostlere60 min: Queensland Red Tate McDermott comes on at scrum-half for the Wallabies.
Penalty! Ireland 15-16 Australia (Lolesio, 57 min)
16:42 , Lawrence OstlereO’Toole holds onto the ball too long in his own half and this is a simple penalty kick.
Ireland 15-13 Australia
16:35 , Lawrence Ostlere54 min: Andy Farrell rings the changes up front: Tom O’Toole, Peter O’Mahony and Iain Henderson replace Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan.
Ireland 15-13 Australia
16:33 , Lawrence Ostlere52 min: An isolated James Ryan is penalised for failing to release, and Australia kick to the corner.
Try! Ireland 15-13 Australia (Doris, 50 min)
16:30 , Lawrence OstlereAfter waves of pressure, finally Ireland make the breakthrough as captain Caelan Doris steams under the posts with Wallabies hanging off him. Prendergast slots the simplest of kicks, and for the first time all day, Ireland lead.
Ireland 8-13 Australia
16:26 , Lawrence Ostlere46 min: Ireland sustain pressure in the Australian half, but the Wallabies’ defence is excellent and they are not allowing their 22-metre line to be breached...
Penalty! Ireland 8-13 Australia (Prendergast, 42 min)
16:22 , Lawrence OstlereJames Slipper is penalised at the breakdown for blocking Ireland’s release, and Sam Prendergast slots the kick from 40 yards.
Ireland 5-13 Australia
16:19 , Lawrence OstlereBack underway at the Aviva Stadium.
Half-time: Ireland 5-13 Australia
16:18 , Lawrence OstlereIreland made 16 handling errors in the first 40 minutes and that was really the story of the half. If they can cut those mistakes out in the second half, they will have a great shot and turning this match on its head.
Half-time: Ireland 5-13 Australia
16:04 , Lawrence OstlereAnother handling error stalls the Irish attack, and that brings the half-time whistle. Ireland have been a bit sloppy and Australia deservedly lead at the break.
Ireland 5-13 Australia
16:02 , Lawrence Ostlere39 min: McReight spills the ball and Australia’s momentum is killed. Ireland, now, might get one last chance to peg the Wallabies back before half-time. They have a lineout deep in the Australian half.
Ireland 5-13 Australia
16:00 , Lawrence Ostlere37 min: Penalty awarded to Australia near the halfway line after a late tackle by Finlay Bealham. The Wallabies will end the half on the front foot, with a lineout near Ireland’s 22.
Ireland 5-13 Australia
15:56 , Lawrence Ostlere35 min: Australia run it from a scrum inside their own half, but it backfires when Tadhg Beirne steals the ball from the hands of an unsuspecting Jake Gordon at the breakdown a moment later. Ireland win a penalty and Prendergast kicks deep into the corner... but the Irish lineout is too long and gifted back to Australia!
Ireland have made too many mistakes in this half.
Penalty! Ireland 5-13 Australia (Lolesio, 33 min)
15:53 , Lawrence OstlereSam Prendergast smashes a kick from deep inside Irish territory well into the Australian half and Ireland have a lineout – but Australia’s Taniela Tupou intercepts a pass and surges into empty space from 50 metres. He’s eventually caught, but a penalty at the next ruck allows Lolesio the chance for a simple three points, which he takes.
Ireland 5-10 Australia
15:48 , Lawrence Ostlere28 min: Ireland move the ball slickly through the centre via Ronan Kelleher and Joe McCarthy, and almost score but for an excellent last-gasp tackle and then a brilliantly won turnover by Tom Wright at the ruck.
Ireland 5-10 Australia
15:45 , Lawrence Ostlere26 min: Ireland come forwards again, but the flowing move breaks down as Lowe and Ronan Kelleher work on different wavelengths and the wing’s pass finds touch.
Try! Ireland 5-10 Australia (Van der Flier, 22 min)
15:41 , Lawrence OstlereIreland surge forwards trying to respond to Australia’s excellent start here. They win a lineout near the corner, catch it and pass quickly into midfield, where Josh van der Flier bundles over the line after a couple of phases! The crowd roars its approval.
Sam Prendergast makes a mess of a relatively straightforward kick, sending it across the posts.
Try! Ireland 0-10 Australia (Jorgensen, 19 min)
15:36 , Lawrence OstlereExcellent from Australia, who get behind Ireland’s line with a high kick which Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii claims and recycles for his teammates. Prendergast recovers to thwart Kellaway on the right wing, but the Wallabies work it to the other side where Max Jorgensen is in space to drive into the corner.
Lolesio adds two from the touchline.
Ireland 0-3 Australia
15:33 , Lawrence Ostlere17 min: Lolesio tries a grubber for his left wing Max Jorgensen to chase, but James Lowe is wary and gets back to cut it out.
Ireland 0-3 Australia
15:31 , Lawrence Ostlere15 min: Excellent by the Wallabies, who scramble to the breakdown inside their own 22 and overpower the Irish to earn themselves a penalty.
Ireland 0-3 Australia
15:27 , Lawrence Ostlere13 min: Lolesio kicks well under pressure inside his own 22 and his boot finds touch near the halfway line. Ireland’s lineout finds an Australian hand and the Wallabies have it back.
Penalty! Ireland 0-3 Australia (Lolesio, 10 min)
15:25 , Lawrence OstlereThe game is paused for a check on a head collision. It’s not particularly dangerous, but it’s enough for the officials to award a penalty to Australia against Joe McCarthy.
Noah Lolesio slots the kick from a central position in the Irish half.
Ireland 0-0 Australia
15:21 , Lawrence Ostlere8 min: A good tempo to the match so far. Australia come forwards and try to use the width of their back line, making good inroads through Harry Wilson’s burst, but a missed pass sees the move unravel and the ball bounces out for an Irish lineout.
Ireland 0-0 Australia
15:17 , Lawrence Ostlere5 min: Ireland quickly work the ball across the field for fullback Hugo Keenan, who surges through a narrow gap, but he’s tackled and stripped of the ball by wing Andrew Kellaway before he can reach the line.
Ireland 0-0 Australia
15:16 , Lawrence Ostlere3 min: Australia immediately make clear they are going to try and work the ball wide when they can, to avoid a straightforward pack-on-pack confrontation around the breakdown. Ireland have a scrum in Australian territory...
Kick-off! Ireland 0-0 Australia
15:13 , Lawrence Ostlere1 min: Australia collect the ball, work through a few phases and kick it deep into Irish territory before giving chase.
Ireland v Australia
15:10 , Lawrence OstlereAfter a rousing rendition of Ireland’s Call, here comes the rugby. Ireland’s No 10, Sam Prendergast, will get this Test underway.
Ireland v Australia
15:06 , Lawrence OstlereThe players are out on the pitch on a chilly afternoon in Dublin, and here come the anthems, with Advance Australia Fair up first.
Ireland v Australia – line-ups
15:00 , Lawrence OstlereA reminder of the two starting XVs today in Dublin:
Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O’Mahony; 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Australia XV: 1 James Slipper, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Taniela Tupou; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Noah Lolesio; 11 Max Jorgensen, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Harry Potter.
Cian Healy poised for historic appearance
14:52 , Lawrence OstlereAmid the anniversary celebrations - which will be marked by a commemorative one-off jersey - and Farrell’s send-off, it promises to be a special occasion for Cian Healy.
The 37-year-old prop, who won the first of his 133 caps in a 20-20 draw against Australia in November 2009, is poised to move ahead of Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s outright most-capped international after equalling the record a fortnight ago.
“What a story, playing his debut 15 years ago against Australia,” Farrell said of Healy, who is among the replacements. “It’s fitting for both the union and for Cian and his family, so a privileged type situation for us all to be involved. We couldn’t make any more fuss if we tried than what we did two weeks ago, but we’ll try our best anyway.”
Farrell backs Prendergast to impress
14:39 , Lawrence OstlereFarrell has opted to retain rookie fly-half Sam Prendergast ahead of the returning Jack Crowley.
Crowley, who was rested against Fiji, has been Ireland’s first-choice number 10 since the retirement of Johnny Sexton after last year’s World Cup.
“This isn’t just throwing someone in and hoping to get the best out of it,” Farrell said of 21-year-old Prendergast, who made his debut against Argentina before starting against Fiji. “I think he’s deserved it a little bit but also there’s obviously an eye on the future.
“I suppose with the two young lads (Prendergast and replacement hooker Gus McCarthy), this game won’t define them. It’ll be a good part of their development and that’s what you’re hoping for.”
Australia have got their DNA back, says Farrell
14:28 , Lawrence OstlereAsked about the importance of signing off in victorious fashion, Farrell said: “Honestly, to me, I’ve not really give it much thought.
“The only thing that drives me on is planning for the future of this team and that’s only been at the forefront of my mind, certainly over the last six months anyway. It just so happens that we’re here on a big game with the last game, but after that what will be will be. We’ll turn that page when we get to it.”
Ireland began November with a deflating 23-13 defeat to New Zealand before returning to winning ways thanks to a nervy 22-19 victory over Argentina and a comprehensive 52-17 demolition of Fiji.
The visit of the Wallabies, coached by former Ireland boss Schmidt, has been arranged to mark 150 years of Irish rugby. Farrell hopes his side end the month with a bang against opposition beaten by Scotland last weekend following wins over England and Wales.
“Our best performance of the autumn and maybe more, hopefully,” replied the Englishman, when asked what he would like to see from his team. “That’s what you’re always wishing for, isn’t it? To progress. Australia are certainly progressing. I think they’ve got their DNA back.”
Farrell insists transition to Lions will be ‘seamless'
14:15 , Lawrence OstlereAndy Farrell expects a “seamless” transition in the Ireland camp during his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions.
Farrell will temporarily depart his head coach role following Saturday’s clash with Joe Schmidt’s Australia in order to lead next year’s Lions series against the same nation.
Defence coach Simon Easterby, who has overseen two Emerging Ireland tours of South Africa, is set to take interim charge of the team and will spearhead their Guinness Six Nations title defence and a subsequent summer tour.
“We’ve been working together long enough now to agree on how this team needs to be driven forward with us all involved,” Farrell said of his imminent departure.
“All our ideas over the years, that will continue. Simon is unbelievably diligent and the right man for the role as far as leading from the front.
“We’ve had the experience there and we’ve seen the credentials there and we know it’s going to be a seamless one.”
Australia line-up
14:04 , Lawrence OstlereAustralia XV: 1 James Slipper, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Taniela Tupou; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Noah Lolesio; 11 Max Jorgensen, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Harry Potter.
Ireland line-up
13:48 , Lawrence OstlereIreland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O’Mahony; 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Australia team news
13:35 , Lawrence OstlereAustralia have been boosted by the availability of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii after a wrist injury that forced his substitution after half-an-hour against Scotland was not as bad as first feared. Will Skelton is unavailable having returned to France with this fixture falling outside World Rugby’s mandated Test window, so the return of Nick Frost from illness is welcome, while Fraser McReight and Taniela Tupou also start to bolster the pack. Playmaker Tane Edmed, who enjoyed an excellent campaign in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship with North Harbour, is in line for a debut off the bench.
Ireland team news
13:22 , Lawrence OstlereAndy Farrell has boldly backed youngster Sam Prendergast at fly half after a mixed first international outing against Fiji last week. The rest of the Irish side is otherwise at full strength with the exception of the injured front row pair of Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. On the bench, Cian Healy is primed to surpass Brian O’Driscoll as the most capped Irishman in history when he makes his 134th appearance.
How to watch
13:12 , Lawrence OstlereViewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 2pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
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Ireland v Australia
13:05 , Lawrence OstlereAndy Farrell’s side have bounced back from defeat to New Zealand with victories over Argentina and Fiji, and will be keen to secure a winning finish before their head coach begins his sabattical ahead of next summer’s British & Irish Lions series.
This will offer Farrell a good look at the Wallabies side the touring group will take on last summer, and hopes of a competitive series have been boosted by encouraging performances from Australia this month.
While a disappointing showing against Scotland ended their hopes of a grand slam tour, a young, exciting team has come together well under the guidance of former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, who takes on his former assistant.
Ireland v Australia
11:32 , Lawrence OstlereWelcome along to live coverage of Ireland v Australia in the final match of the Autumn Nations Series.
