By Jonathan Bowen
Ireland finished the Autumn Series with a third victory against Australia. The game was full of ill-discipline, basic ruck errors and opportunities lost which made it a difficult game to watch but one the Irish team will take a lot of lessons from.
The biggest news of the game was when Johnny Sexton was pulled from the Irish team starting line up just before kick-off. The announcement was made so late that Jack Crowley who was rushed into the team as Johnny’s replacement had to wear Johnny’s jersey during the game.
The match kicked off with Australia dominating the early minutes, so much so that Australia had what looked like a legitimate try overruled by the referee for a neck roll foul from David Porecki on Josh van der Flier earlier on in the play. This would not be the last time in the game that Australia’s indiscipline would cost them dearly.
Ireland would hit back when Cork Constitution’s Jack Crowley calmly slotted over a penalty to give Ireland a 3-0 lead.
Australia would find themselves in trouble again just before half time when Folau Fainga’a was sent to the sin bin for another neck roll tackle. This would mean that when scrums needed to be formed during Folau’s time in the bin they would need to be uncontested. This meant Australia would be down to 13 players during that time.
One key statistic that was becoming apparent in the first half was just how many more tackles Ireland were needing to make more than Australia and how this was going to impact the team as the game went on. Australia, against the odds, was able to hold out the Irish until half time with only a three-point lead.
The second half started with Ireland dominating early possession. Their inability to convert their chances was starting to worry the fans though. The fans concerns were highlighted when a scrum to Australia needed to be formed 10 meters from the Irish try line and Australia were down to 13 players.
Ireland’s inability to convert the territory gains into points was becoming a noticeable problem. The game started to change when Australia brought on Will Skelton in the 52nd minute. With Will’s size and strength he was a game changer for Australia.
When Bernard Foley converted a penalty for Australia in the 55th minute to tie the game at 3-all, there was a feeling the tide was turning back to the Australians.
Ireland calmed the fans nerves when after some great attacking phased play by the Ireland forward pack, Bundee Aki was able to score a try and Cork man Jack Crowley kicked the conversion to give Ireland a deserved lead. This lead would not last long though, three minutes later Australia scored a try from Jordan Petaia and, with Bernard Foley’s conversion, the game was tied up again at 10-10.
Ireland’s nerve would be tested again when with a few minutes on the clock they won a penalty about thirty meters out from the goal posts and on an acute angle. Ross Byrne who had come on for Jack Crowley stepped up and converted the penalty to give Ireland a three-point lead.
Irish fans had their hearts in their months when Australia won the kick off and pushed the Irish defense backwards.
Australia won a penalty with a minute to go and could have tied the game but instead went for the lineout. This they won but they got penalized when a player entered the maul from the side and from there the game was over.
Ireland’s unbeaten record continues in Dublin however and after fortunate wins against Fiji and Australia Andy Farrell will have a lot of work to do to make sure the team is right and prepared for the Six Nations tournament that starts in February next year.
These results are what makes a team and with Ireland playing France and England at home in the Six Nations and South Africa in the World Cup, ensuring the team learn and grow the game after playing the type of rugby they have over the last two weeks will be key to their success next year.