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:
Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 51 minutes
Outstanding defence from Argentina! Scotland, surprisngly, opt to extract the ball from a scrum as it rumbles on, but Finn Russell is caught behind the gain line and the ball spills away.
YELLOW CARD! Tomas Lavanini is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 50 minutes
Another card! Karl Dickson reaches into the shuffler and pulls out another yellow, gestured to Tomas Lavanini, historically a regular offender.
This one is a technical offence, Lavanini a speedbump bringing down a runaway tanker of a Scottish maul. Argentina lose a second lock in as many minutes.
YELLOW CARD! Matias Alemanno is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 49 minutes
Yellow this time! Jonny Gray immediately looked to the referee, feeling Alemanno’s clavicle making contact with his forehead as the Scottish lock began to vacate the ruck area. The force isn’t necessarily high, which saves Alemanno stiffer punishment - but Los Pumas drop to 13 men.
Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 49 minutes
It’s another of Argentina’s large forward units who may be in trouble - Matias Alemanno’s shoulder is quite close to a Scottish head.
Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 49 minutes
But Scotland’s lineout hasn’t been quite so good of late, Juan Martin Gonzalez springing up like a geyser to slap back Fraser Brown’s latest throw.
Check, check - TMO Brett Cronan has spotted something that requires a look. Referee Karl Dickson saunters over to the big screen.
Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 47 minutes
Finn Russell’s numbers today are quite delightful - nine carries, 77 metres, six (!) offloads. It’s been mighty good so far from a man who allegedly began this autumn campaign as his country’s fourth-choice fly-half...
Scotland earn a scrum penalty. Argentina, remember, are down to 14 after Marcos Kremer’s first-half sending off.
Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 45 minutes
Argentine hands pinch a Scottish lineout, giving the visitors possession in advanced territory again. Emiliano Boffelli further advances his side with an impressive high claim that hops from left hand to right and back to left before eventually ending up in his breadbasket, but Tomas Lavanini’s handling is less pleasing. Knock on.
Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 44 minutes
That’s almost lovely from Argentina! Los Pumas earn a lineout near the Scottish 22, and try something fun at the front, Julian Montoya connecting with the lineout catcher in a manner than Fraser Brown failed to do so when Scotland looked for something similar early in the first half.
There are enough Scottish bodies back to fell Montoya and force him to knock on, but it is a reminder of Argentina’s threat.
TRY! SCOTLAND 24-15 Argentina (Darcy Graham try, 42 minutes)
A brilliant Scottish try!
How good has Finn Russell been today? It’s magnificent again from the fly-half, needing only a sliver to again scurry free and release a side-door flicked offload for a third or fourth time this afternoon.
Stuart Hogg is there to take it from his great mate, cannily angling back infield to force the last defender to square up, opening enough room on the outside for Darcy Graham to frolic over.
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