Australia ‘s Ben Donaldson missed a potentially match-winning penalty with the final kick as Ireland clung on for a thrilling Nations Championship victory.
Replacement fly half Donaldson had a shot to win the game with the clock dead in Sydney, but could not find the target with a tough strike from wide on the right as the tourists secured a 33-31 win. A helter-skelter, back-and-forth encounter had looked likely to end under such circumstances after being played at breathless paces, with Thomas Clarkson’s try ultimately crucial for Andy Farrell’s side.
There was plenty of optimism to take for the Wallabies, though, having been thrashed in the pair’s last meeting in Dublin in November. Joe Schmidt’s men showcased some superb rugby to rock Ireland as they surged into a 26-12 lead, only to be pegged back to set up a grandstand finish as rugby’s new competition continues to deliver on its opening weekend.
Follow all of the latest from the Nations Championship clash with our live blog below:
MISSED PENALTY! Australia 31-33 Ireland, 79 minutes
Starts right…stays right! Ireland cling on as Ben Donaldson misses at the last!
Australia 31-33 Ireland, 80 minutes
Ireland can contest safely at this range, not fearing a match-winning goal kick from this distance. Australia edge closer and closer, though, with Tadhg Beirne forced into a cover tackle. Into the Ireland half, now, with the clock almost dead.
Penalty to Australia! Off feet against Ireland. It’ll be all of 45 metres on the angle, but they will have a shot at the very least.
Here we go. The attack comes to nothing. It’s on the five-metre line on the right, and just in front of the 10-metre. Mightily tough. Does Ben Donadlson fancy it?
He does! “Yeah, yeah,” he emphatically informs Harry Wilson. To the posts they point.
Australia 31-33 Ireland, 79 minutes
Jamison Gibson-Park tests the aerial acumen of Australia again. It’s good. Has Nick Timoney one a breakdown turnover, though? No, rule the officials. Australia have possession 60 metres from the Ireland line.
Australia 31-33 Ireland, 78 minutes
How is the restart drill? Superb from Tadhg Beirne, clutching high above his head with serious skill. Ireland kick possession away; Australia kick it back. Into the final 100 seconds.
TRY! Australia 31-33 IRELAND (Thomas Clarkson, 77 minutes)
And there’s the try! A charge from Kelleher, a meatier one from Thomas Clarkson, and the front row get Ireland level.
Now, can Sam Prendergast convert? Bingo – Ireland lead by two with two and a half minutes to go!
YELLOW CARD! Josh Canham is sent to the sin bin! Australia 31-26 Ireland, 75 minutes
A quick tap and Josh Canham is offside! Out comes the yellow card and Australia will have to survive with 14 men.
Ronan Kelleher restarts the game sharply with another tap of the boot.
Australia 31-26 Ireland, 75 minutes
Frantic stuff in attack and defence. There looks to be space on the right for Stuart McCloskey, but Ciaran Frawley is forced to wait for a loopy pass and snagged before he can get his resultant transfer away.
Back for the penalty – or two, in fact. Australia are warned about their conduct. Tadhg Beirne is captaining Ireland now, and considers his options. He’ll have the penalty in the left corner.
Australia 31-26 Ireland, 73 minutes
James Ryan is given an absolute tonking by Tom Hooper, fresh from being a key part of Exeter’s charge into the Prem final. The Chief was overeager – an offside penalty against Australia. Ireland’s forwards saunter down towards the five-metre line, following Sam Prendergast’s punt. Ronan Kelleher will throw the lineout.
Joe McCarthy takes at the front, and there’s an advantage, too…
Australia 31-26 Ireland, 72 minutes
Tense, this. Ireland play from deep and then go the air, but Dylan Pietsch is rock solid beneath Jamison Gibson-Park’s box kick. It’s telling that Gibson-Park is still out there.
Tate McDermott replies in kind, with Jimmy O’Brien the catcher.
