Ireland fight back to deny Wallabies in thriller

Nations Championship

Australia (24) 31

Tries: Pietsch, Campbell, Canham, Lonergan, McDermott Cons: Gordon 3 Pens:

Ireland (19) 33

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

Replacement Australia fly-half Ben Donaldson missed a last-gasp penalty as Ireland claimed a comeback bonus-point win in an enthralling Nations Championship contest in Sydney.

With the clock in the red, Donaldson kicked his long-range penalty to the right of the posts as the Wallabies were denied a first win over the Irish since 2018.

A 77th-minute try from replacement prop Tom Clarkson proved decisive for Ireland, who carved out a hard-fought victory despite operating nowhere near their maximum.

Australia led by five points at the break after tries from Dylan Pietsch, Jock Campbell, Josh Canham and Ryan Lonergan in an energetic first-half display.

Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park crossed for the Irish in the opening 40 minutes, with Hugo Keenan delivering the bonus-point before Tate McDermott hit back for the Wallabies.

Ireland were denied a fifth try when Dan Sheehan’s effort was ruled out following a television match official (TMO) review with 20 minutes left, but Clarkson popped up to score his second international try and ultimately seal a dramatic win for Andy Farrell’s side.

More to follow.

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)