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:
England 25-25 New Zealand, 80 minutes
Problems for New Zealand. TJ Perenara has tweaked an ankle and David Havili is on. They have no scrum half.
Can England capitalise? They take the restart...and Marcus Smith kicks into the stands!
Boos, big boos from the crowd - it’s a draw!
TRY! ENGLAND 25-25 New Zealand (Will Stuart try, 80 minutes)
An unlikely English hero!
Henry Slade and Guy Porter had make the initial burst up the right, but it was the replacement tighthead there again to capitalise.
Marcus Smith converts - it’s 25 apiece with less than a minute to go.
Try? Has Will Stuart got another?
The prop crashes over and Mathieu Raynal awards it initially, but the French referee wants to make certain...
England 18-25 New Zealand, 78 minutes
New Zealand’s maul wastes another 45 seconds, and Jordie Barrett carries hard and straight.
But the All Blacks kick the ball away and England will have a chance.
England 18-25 New Zealand, 77 minutes
Was that the right option? A curious moment from Ben Youngs, who has largely been good since he came on. The scrum-half lifts an entirely aimless box kick up the left touchline with no-one in particular there to pursue it.
England then infringe. Three minutes to play.
England 18-25 New Zealand, 76 minutes
How quickly things can swing. Twickenham, so lifeless five minutes or so ago, is now roaring England on, and the home players are rising to the challenge. They win a penalty on their own ten-metre line as a New Zealand tackler fails to roll away.
TRY! ENGLAND 18-25 New Zealand (Freddie Steward try, 75 minutes)
And Freddie Steward bounds over on the right!
New Zealand’s 14-men never recovered from the Ribbans offload. Ben Youngs cleverly goes blind as most of his teammates rush to the left, and Steward makes unimpeded passage to the line.
Marcus Smith converts!
England 11-25 New Zealand, 74 minutes
But there is belief about England! They attack from deep, making metres up the left.
Dave Ribbans! That’s an extraordinary offload over the top to put a back into space...
TRY! ENGLAND 11-25 New Zealand (Will Stuart try, 72 minutes)
The officials took their time but the try is awarded!
A long, long check but the final outcome is five points to Will Stuart’s name on his return - and a glimmer of hope for England.
Marcus Smith’s conversion is...no good. The hosts remain two converted scores in arrears.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments