Wallabies fall agonisingly short against Ireland in Sydney thriller

MATCH REPORT: Tom Clarkson scored a last-gasp converted try as a dogged Ireland battled to a riveting 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney on Saturday to kick-start their Nations Championship with a bang.

Five Irish players dotted down in the 10-try thriller and inflict more pain on an unlucky Wallabies, who have now lost eight of their last nine Tests.

Australia bolted out of the blocks in front of a sold-out Sydney Football Stadium in a hectic first-half to reach the break with a 24-19 advantage.

But Andy Farrell’s Ireland kept fighting to clock their sixth straight victory over the Wallabies dating back to 2018 with Clarkson barging over at the death and Sam Prendergast adding the extras.

Australia’s Ben Donaldson had the chance to win the match with a penalty on the hooter, but his kick sailed wide.

Australia now meet France in Brisbane next weekend while Ireland travel north of Sydney to Newcastle where Eddie Jones’s Japan will be waiting.

France will be gunning to bounce back from a 32-24 loss against New Zealand in Christchurch to open their campaign while Japan are on a high after seeing off Italy 27-10 in Tokyo.

Ireland came into the game as a well-oiled machine after a gruelling Six Nations campaign.

But they were missing a slew of injured players and pacey wing Rob Baloucoune was ruled out with a tight hamstring an hour before kick off, replaced by Jimmy O’Brien.

On a mission

In contrast, it was Australia’s first Test since their loss to France in Paris in November.

But they were on a mission.

Buoyed by the raucous crowd, the hosts made an immediate impact, opening the scoring in the fourth minute for a sensational start.

They capitalised on Ireland losing a line-out on their own throw and pressed forward before a line break to Dylan Pietsch who gathered on the half-volley and crossed in the corner.

Carter Gordon fluffed the conversion and Ireland regrouped to hit straight back, with flanker Cian Prendergast barging over from the back of the ruck and his brother Sam adding the extras.

It was end-to-end stuff and an attack-minded Wallabies quickly reclaimed the lead, courtesy of fullback Jock Campbell in his first Test in four years after Gordon exploded through the midfield.

Once again, Gordon missed the conversion and once again Ireland came storming back.

They earned a penalty close to the Wallabies’ line and Dan Sheehan took a quick tap before offloading to Josh van der Flier.

But the frantic pace was unrelenting and an impressive Australia stunned with two more converted tries in the space of three minutes.

Lock Josh Canham bagged the first from a pick-and-go play and Ryan Lonergan added a second after Max Jorgensen streaked clear and offloaded to the scrum-half who did the rest.

There was still more to come before the fans could catch their breath at the break, with Jamison Gibson-Park finishing off a stunning break from inside their own 22 as the hooter sounded.

The visitors kept pressing and edged 26-24 ahead soon after the restart with fullback Hugo Keenan finding a gap in the defence, only for Australia to again respond with Tate McDermott taking a quick-tap penalty and squeezing over.

Sheehan was unfortunate to have another try disallowed on review for obstruction but their intense pressure was rewarded with three minutes left when Clarkson shattered Australian hopes.

Man of the match: Hugo Keenan produced another solid performance at the back for Ireland, and he was excellent under the high ball and on attack. However, our award goes to Australia loose forward Rob Valetini, who was a powerhouse with ball in hand. He had a whopping 19 carries in the match.

The scorers:

For Australia:
Tries: Pietsch, Campbell, Canham, Lonergan, McDermott
Cons: Gordon 3

For Ireland:
Tries: C Prendergast, Van der Flier, Gibson-Park, Keenan, Clarkson
Cons: S Prendergast 4

Yellow card: Lachie Shaw (Australia, 76′ – repeated infringements, offside)

Teams:

Australia: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Josh Canham, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachie Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tom Wright.

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jamie Osborne, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 1 Tom O’Toole.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)