Key posts
FULL TIME: Ireland 13, Australia 10
Ireland 13 Australia 10
Australia launch desperate attacking raids in Ireland territory but have crucial calls go against them. Australia turn down a score-levelling shot at goal to kick for the corner and in the ensuing maul, O’Keeffe gives Ireland the penalty for Jake Gordon being in front of the ball.
They try again but Foley throws a pass forward to Petaia and Ireland kick the ball out to claim their 12th straight win.
Signing off
You can read Tom Decent’s match report here and come back to the site for further takes throughout the day, as the Wallabies digest that result. Paul Cully and I will weigh in later today and Tom will bring you all the injury updates and player reactions.
Third-choice five-eighth Ross Byrne reacts after slotting the penalty goal to give Ireland a three-point lead.Credit:Getty
Will a three-point loss to the world No.1s be enough for the Rugby Australia board to keep faith with Rennie? It was a much better performance, as you’d expect from a line up that has played together before and is clearly Rennie’s first choice 23.
Wales, the Wallabies’ opponents next week, suffered a humiliating defeat to Georgia on the same day. They are in a patch of poor form at the moment. The Wallabies will limp across to Cardiff and field a motley crew to get the job done and salvage a second win from a gruelling tour.
Nic White consoles Dave Rennie after full time. Credit:AP
Tom’s take
Ireland v Australia by the numbers
‘We had our chances’
The Wallabies coach is under immense pressure from supporters and his own board. He tells the Stan broadcast: “I’m proud of the effort but we had our chances tonight”.
Rennie and Jake Gordon after the match.Credit:AP
“The boys showed a hell of a lot of character to stay in the fight, got a lot of injuries and lost players early, they even played for a while with 13,” Rennie said.
“We’re gutted, we had a lot of ball and credit to the Irish, they defended really well. It’s a game of small margins.”
Rennie said there was a lot of intervention from the television match official.
“The Irish were penalised more than we were tonight,” he said.
“I thought the TMO had a big say in the game tonight. I don’t know how long the game took but it seemed to take forever. We’ll take it on the chin if they’re neck rolls. A couple seemed pretty minor to me.”
Jordan Petaia scores.Credit:Getty
‘Walking wounded’: Rennie counts injury toll
A very flat Dave Rennie has confirmed a shocking injury toll from the match.
Hunter Paisami – “looks like a medial [ligament knee injury]“
Andrew Kellaway – “foot injury”
Rob Valetini – “foot injury”
Dave Porecki – “another concussion”
Taniela Tupou – “looks like an Achilles (ankle)”
That’s a sobering round-up from the coach, and will hit the playing stocks hard leading into the final Test of the tour, against Wales in Cardiff next week.
What we have learned
Let’s look at Australia’s two Tests against France and Ireland, the world’s two best teams – in rankings and reality.
A one-point loss against France and a three-point loss to Ireland. They were not good enough to beat either side but they were close, taking both teams to the limite. Granted, Ireland were missing Johnny Sexton. But given their best line up – Nic White and Bernard Foley in the halves – the Wallabies rise to the occasion. They are not clinical enough to win these Tests and discipline remains an issue. Injuries are also hurting this side, an ongoing thorn in Dave Rennie’s side.
But personnel-wise, Will Skelton, Jordan Petaia and Mark Nawaqanitawase have proved their credentials. Marky-Mark will return to the Waratahs to continue developing his game but looks like a bolter for Rennie’s World Cup squad at this stage. Petaia has been rocks and diamonds in his international career but it’s hard to resist a player who can deliver in the big games. His combination with Skelton to score Australia’s only try was magnificent.
FULL TIME: Ireland 13, Australia 10
Ireland 13 Australia 10
Australia launch desperate attacking raids in Ireland territory but have crucial calls go against them. Australia turn down a score-levelling shot at goal to kick for the corner and in the ensuing maul, O’Keeffe gives Ireland the penalty for Jake Gordon being in front of the ball.
They try again but Foley throws a pass forward to Petaia and Ireland kick the ball out to claim their 12th straight win.
Ireland penalty goal
Ireland 13 Australia 10
Ross Byrne kicks to reclaim a narrow lead for Ireland with four minutes to play. That was a scrum penalty against Australia.
Australia try, scores level
Ireland 10 Australia 10
Jordan Petaia scores! Foley adds the extras.
Let no one quibble over Will Skelton’s inclusion in a Wallabies squad again. The big man bumped several green jerseys to get his side into the attacking zone and some Jordan Petaia magic sees the Queensland back score.
Ireland try
Ireland 10 Australia 3
Bundee Aki scores to roars from the Aviva crowd. Crowley adds the extra.
Poor Australian discipline allowed Ireland to piggy-back into the Wallabies’ territory.
Bundee Aki scores.Credit:AP
Skelton is penalised at the ruck in Ireland’s half then Jake Gordon is penalised for contact in the air. Ireland kick for touch and the crowd knows what’s on offer, erupting in anticipation.
Another gold jersey making contact with the neck of a green jersey is called in Ireland’s favour so they have the advantage on attack now too. Aki burrows over. Australia could be forced into desperate play here to chase the game.
