Ireland deny Wallabies after nail-biting finish

Already without Mack Hansen, Ireland’s wing shortage worsened an hour before kick-off when Rob Baloucoune – who starred in the Six Nations – was ruled out with a hamstring injury and replaced by Jimmy O’Brien.

While Ireland could only offer glimpses of quality in the first half, Australia were sharp and cohesive in a dramatic improvement from the disjointed and error-strewn display that led to a 46-19 loss in Dublin in November.

Australia pounced quickly on unsettled Irish nerves when Pietsch scored in the third minute after the home side’s attack was kept alive by Campbell’s pick-up and quick pass.

With Carter Gordon missing the conversion, Ireland hit back to lead when Sam Prendergast converted his brother’s try.

But Australia were undaunted, continued to attack with abandon and moved ahead again when Campbell marked his first Test appearance in nearly four years with a well-taken try.

Van der Flier replied for Ireland when captain Sheehan flicked the ball into the former world player of the year’s path from a tap-and-go penalty close to the Australian line.

But Ireland struggled to contain a hard-carrying, enterprising Australian effort, and Canham crashed over after a stunning Rob Valetini carry caused havoc in the Irish ranks.

With Ireland already up against it, their cause was not helped when Sam Prendergast tossed a pass into Max Jorgensen’s hands. The rapid Australia wing scampered clear and fed Lonergan for the home side’s bonus-point score.

While Australia deserved their half-time lead, momentum shifted in Ireland’s favour in the final exchanges before the break which left a five-point gap between the sides.

Gibson-Park darted through the gold shirts to score after Keenan produced a superb try-saving tackle to deny the rampaging Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii a certain try.

Ireland carve out win in drama-filled finale

Ireland appeared rejuvenated in the second half and got their noses in front again when Keenan marked his first appearance in green since the 2025 Six Nations with a well-taken try.

But the Irish were guilt of falling asleep in defence when quick-thinking replacement scrum-half McDermott crashed over after a tap-and-go penalty.

That proved to be Australia’s final score on 53 minutes as Ireland found a second wind.

Despite a creaking line-out, Sheehan sniped through for what he thought was his 21st international try only for it to be ruled out with James Ryan adjudged to have prevented Valetini from making a potentially try-saving tackle.

With just under 10 minutes remaining, Dondaldson dragged a penalty which would have taken Australia 34-26 clear to the left of the posts.

Thanks to the increasing influence of Tadhg Beirne following the British and Irish Lion forward’s 52nd-minute introduction, Ireland pushed for a late score and the pressure told when Leinster prop Clarkson burrowed his way over the line for a try converted by Sam Prendergast.

That put Ireland two points clear, but the Wallabies were handed an opportunity to steal victory when Bundee Aki conceded a penalty.

Despite his earlier miss, Donaldson went for the shot from a tight angle on the right and failed again, sparking ecstatic celebrations from Ireland as outgoing Australia boss Joe Schmidt was denied a win over his former side.

Ireland face Japan in Newcastle, Australia, next week while Australia host France.

Line-ups

Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright.

Sin-bin: Shaw (76)

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)