JOE SCHMIDT’S MEN made it three wins out of three this autumn after beating Australia 26-23 in a cracking game at the Aviva Stadium. Relive it all, minute-by-minute, right here.
Hello everyone and welcome to TheScore.ie’s liveblog of Ireland vs Australia. Ireland are looking to win all of their autumn tests for the first time since 2006 today, but do you think they can do it?
The game doesn’t start ’til 16.30 but we thought we’d get started nice and early because we know how excited you all are for this evening’s game.
We’ll start with the two teams. Do you agree with Schmidt’s decision to bring Gordon D’Arcy back into the team?
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Rhys Ruddock, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Paul O’Connell, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Tommy O’Donnell, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.
And for Australia, that is an ominously talented bench trio of Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridriani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Luke Jones, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Benn Robinson, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Will Genia, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Paul O’Connell was immense against South Africa and he will need to have another big game today for Ireland to come out on top. He is also edging closer to that magic cap milestone.
Whoever designed the Aviva got one thing right – it looks like it holds about 100,000 when you see it from the outside. Then you get inside and you see that the stand behind one of the goals is a glorified subs bench.
Is anyone looking forward to seeing what George Hook comes out with today? His climbdown after Ireland’s win over South Africa was pretty funny.
He’s already weighed in on today… but mostly on the fashion sense of the panel.
If you are an optimistic Ireland fan, then you will enjoy this detailed breakdown on how the boys in green can exploit Australia’s defence.
Today’s weather is definitely conducive to some running rugby. Hopefully we get a nice expansive game, although the thought of Genia, Cooper and Beale being unleashed on a tiring Ireland is a little worrying.
What’s everyone’s favourite moment from Ireland vs Australia over the last few years? Here are my two anyway.
First, Denis Hickie showing footwork that wouldn’t be out of place in Coppers to touch down in 2006.
And this tackle.
If you aren’t feeling a sufficient amount of hatred for the opposition before 16.30, just watch this clip of Aussie pundit Phil Kearns before that World Cup game in 2011.
The team are in the building!
We also have the intriguing sub-plot of former Leinster coaches Joe Schmidt and Michael Cheika going up against each other.
Do Leinster fans think Cheika gets the credit he deserves for his role in the team’s evolution? He might get overlooked a bit given how successful Schmidt was with the province.
The look on Genia’s face is priceless here!
This isn’t good news. Would have been great to get a glimpse of Cooper.
Phew, false alarm people. Although when Cooper shreds the Ireland defence later we will wish he had been ruled out.
When you see these two striding confidently side by side, everything just feels okay, doesn’t it?
‘What do you mean there is no ink left in the printer? Ah, sure just do it manually so’
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Zeebs has had a quiet autumn so far, what are you expecting from him today?
Michael Hooper sporting a decent shiner in the pre-match interview. I’d say it’s 4/5 that he got it from Cheika.
Or maybe this handshake with Paul O’Connell was so intense that it caused the injury.
Both coaches are highly involved in every aspect of their team’s preparations.
We are 15 minutes away now, are you excited yet? A win today would be huge for Joe Schmidt’s men.
The last time Ireland achieved a clean sweep in November, they carried their form into a very strong 6 Nations campaign. Will there be a repeat of 2006/07?
There is a lot of confidence ahead of today’s game, but it is worth remembering how thoroughly Ireland were outplayed in last year’s game.
It remains Ireland’s worst performance under Joe Schmidt.
Former Ireland and Leinster prop Reggie Corrigan has weighed in on how he thinks Ireland should go about their business.
The teams are out on the field now. We are moments away from kick-off!
President Higgins is being introduced to the two teams and now it is time for the anthems.
Peter O’Mahony is in great singing form as usual!
After an enthusiastic rendition of Ireland’s Call delivered with plenty of gusto, we are ready to start. Are Ireland going to do it?
Bernard Foley has just got us started at the Aviva!
Ireland gather the opening kick-off and Conor Murray booms a box-kick to touch on the halfway line.
Australia spread the ball wide to Tevita Kuridriani who gets levelled by Simon Zebo. The centre then makes a good burst a few phases later into the Ireland 22 but eventually Ireland hold up an Australian ball carrier and have a scrum right on their own 22.
A very solid first scrum by Ireland. D’Arcy takes it to the line hard and then Murray kicks long to Folau who gets tackled on the halfway line.
Johnny Sexton tests Folau with a hanging high ball but Folau fields it well.
Ireland have a kickable penalty on the left side of the field on the 10m line after O’Mahony and Best combine to poach the ball.
Ireland 3-0 Australia
Sexton nails it and Ireland have an early lead.
Murray bombs another box-kick down the field after the restart and Rory Best’s good chase allows Ireland to gather the ball outside the Aussie 22.
Ireland are going through the phases outside the 22 but Matt Toomua tackles D’Arcy well behind the gain line and Australia turn the ball over two phases later.
Ireland have a chance to extend their lead after Rob Kearney gets tackled by James Slipper in the air.
Ireland have started well but Australia have looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Speight looks vulnerable under the high ball too.
Sexton pushes the kick to the right from a relatively straight position inside the 10m line. Bad miss from the out-half and it is also his first miss of the autumn series.
TRY! Ireland 8-0 Australia
Sexton spots some space on the left wing and sends a beautiful crosskick to the corner for Zebo to collect. A great piece of awareness from the Ireland out-half.
Ireland 10-0 Australia
Sexton’s confidence is soaring now and he slots the conversion over.
Aussie flanker Luke Jones has been turned over in contact twice and it was Rory Best’s brilliant steal that set up Zebo’s try.
TRY! Ireland 17-0 Australia
After a Folau break, it looked like Australia were about to score a try of their own but Tommy Bowe picks off an errant pass from Nick Phipps in his own 22 to sprint to the other end of the field to dot down. Sexton converts.
TRY! Ireland 17-7 Australia
Simon Zebo tried to force an offload in midfield but the ball goes to ground and Nick Phipps redeems himself by shrugging off a few tackles and sprinting under the posts from the halfway line. Bernard Foley was able to get a hand to Zebo’s pass to turn it over.
What a game we have had so far! The ball is being sprayed from end to end with abandon – I think there have only been two lineouts so far.
The Ireland kicking game has been very profitable so far. Kearney, Murray and Sexton have all exploited some space in Australian territory with hanging kicks.
There is a bit of panic within Ireland at the moment. There have been a lot of loose passes thrown with Zebo and Murray two of the culprits. Joe Schmidt will be furious with how Ireland have reacted to going ahead.
Henry Speight fields an excellent crosskick from Foley and gets tackled just short of the line. One phase later it looks like Foley might be over for a try. Glen Jackson has gone to the TMO.
The crowd are demanding that a forward pass be awarded and the TMO is still looking at the angles.
TRY! Ireland 17-12 Australia
The TMO says the pass was flat and the try is awarded. The Irish players are not happy with the decision one bit.
Alan Quinlan on commentary says that ‘everyone in the ground could see that pass was forward’. Everyone except one, it seems.
Foley clears the ball to the halfway line after the restart.
Ireland are trying to get their maul going but Luke Jones stopped the momentum well.
Sexton goes for another garryowen but Foley calls a mark in his 22.
Ireland are persisting with high kicks and it is still working. Kearney flicks the ball back to Heaslip outside the Aussie 22 and then Sexton dinks the ball in behind Speight and into touch ten yards from the line.
Kearney opts to run a kick back from the halfway line but gets chopped down and Michael Hooper is the first man on the scene. Penalty Australia.
Ireland have a scrum on their own 10m line on the left side of the field after Fainga’a's throw isn’t straight.
Everything is still a little frantic – Zebo goes for a chip but the ball rebounds off a load of bodies in traffic.
TRY! Ireland 17-17 Australia
Henry Speight dances along the touchline and throws and outrageous behind the back pass to keep the move alive. The ball gets worked to Foley who slides through the Irish defence before feeding Phipps for his second score of the game. A truly majestic score by the Aussies.
Foley has been excellent so far but has also missed two simple conversions, which could be telling at the end.
The throwing woes of Rory Best resurface at an inopportune time as he coughs up a lineout on halfway. Australia have a scrum and amazingly, it is only the second of the game.
Toomua releases Speight on the left wing with a lovely offload and he combines with Foley to bring play into the Irish 22. Ireland are then penalised for not rolling away and Australia have a penalty from right in front.
Ireland 17-20 Australia
Foley makes no mistake this time and Australia have now scored 20 unanswered points.
Toomua clears the ball from the restart and Ireland have a lineout about 40m out.
Sexton busts out the loop around move and releases D’Arcy, who shrugs off the tackle of Fainga’a to rumble towards the 22. Ireland are awarded the penalty and Paulie points to the corner. Big call with a minute to go ’til half time.
Ireland’s maul is collapsed by the Aussies and Sexton uses the advantage by trying another crosskick to Zebo, but it is dealt with by Folau. This time, Ireland opt for the posts. Sexton will kick from about 15m out and to the right of the posts.
HT Ireland 20-20 Australia
Sexton ties it up right on half time. What a half of rugby! Both sides will need a breather after such high-octane action.
Ireland’s defence has been shredded at times with Bernard Foley and Henry Speight doing a fair bit of damage. The bad news is that Australia have Genia, Cooper and Beale in reserve.
What a strange half from Phipps. He has scored two tries but he is still having a bit of a stinker. Some of his passes have been very poor.
According to the panel, that was the best 40 minutes of rugby we have seen in years. Hard to argue with that.
Just watching replays of that gorgeous crosskick for the Zebo try. But where on earth was Henry Speight? He wasn’t within 20 yards of his opposite number.
Conor O’Shea is adamant that Phipps’ pass to Foley was NOT forward for Australia’s second try.
Some half time stats to mull over.
The teams are back out for the second half.
We are back underway.
Australia are trying to run the ball out of their 22 but are once again held back by a terrible pass from Phipps.
Jamie Heaslip blocks down a kick from Toomua in midfield and smuggles possession back on the Ireland side. Then, Sexton tries a chip through and the ball is knocked on by Phipps on the halfway line. Scrum to Ireland.
Tevita Kuridriani is struggling with an injury and Kurtley Beale is warming up on the sideline.
Simon Zebo dances away from Henry Speight on the wing and cuts back infield. Hooper then gets penalised for going off his feet at the ruck and Sexton has a chance to put Ireland back in front. His kick is from the 10m line and just to the left of the posts.
Ireland 23-20 Australia
Sexton’s kick just about squeezes over and Ireland are back in front.
Beale is on for Kuridriani who can take no further part.
Toomua finds Beale with a delightful inside ball in midfield and the replacement sets off in the direction of the posts. However, Glen Jackson rules that the pass was forward and Ireland have a scrum.
Rhys Ruddock is penalised for breaking his bind and Australia have a penalty just outside the 22 from straight in front.
Ireland 23-23 Australia
Foley converts easily and we are tied up once again.
Sexton launches a ball in the direction of Beale but he claims with authority outside his 22.
Tommy Bowe is then forced to tackle Adam Ashley-Cooper into touch to prevent further damage after Beale and Folau show good hands to put the wing into space.
Ireland win a penalty after Australia collapse their maul and Sexton kicks to touch on the 22. Lineout to Ireland.
But Rob Simmons steals it and Australia clear their lines.
Jake Schatz is coming on for Luke Jones. Australia have a lineout on the Irish 10m line.
Peter O’Mahony engulfs Toomua behind the gain line and after Beale goes off his feet, Ireland are awarded a penalty. Sexton brings play into the Australian half.
After a Murray pass hits the deck, Sexton improvises well to find Kearney outside him. The fullback then puts Bowe into space and the wing cuts past a few defenders but is then held up and Australia have a scrum in their own 22.
Ireland are showing some nice touches in attack at the moment. Henshaw has passed more in the last few minutes than he did in the entire South Africa game.
The crowd are demanding a card after Henry Speight tackles Kearney after the fullback chips the ball but Jackson says it was legal.
Another Rory Best throw is ruled to be crooked and Australia have a scrum on their 10m line. Also, Ian Madigan is on for Gordon D’Arcy, who is having a concussion test.
Ireland turn over the ball and Johnny Sexton floats a beautiful cross-kick into the left hand corner. An exquisite kick from the out-half.
Oh god! Kearney has just struck the post with a drop goal from the left wing on the 10m line. What an effort! He looked like Frans Steyn there.
Dave Foley is on for Devin Toner.
Johnny Sexton gets cut down by Matt Toomua but just when it looks like Australia will get the steal, Sekope Kepu enters from the side and Sexton has another chance. The kick is on the 10m line in a central area.
Ireland 26-23 Australia
Massive kick by Sexton and Ireland have a slender lead once again.
Quade Cooper is now on for Bernard Foley.
Another high kick causes havoc among the Aussies and Zebo is able to knock the ball back to the onrushing Ian Madigan. Murray then spots a gap and box-kicks the ball into the corner but Folau covers and clears. Ireland have a lineout outside the Australian 22.
Ireland give away a penalty in Australian territory and the visitors have a lineout just inside the Irish half.
Cooper shows his skill by delicately grubbering the ball so it stands up right on the touchline. Kearney and Murray make a mess of dealing with it and Australia have a lineout in the Ireland 22.
Cooper is conducting an orchestra at the moment. His offload allows Hooper to rumble into the 22 and then he finds Toomua out wide but Simon Zebo flies in to slow down the move and then James Slipper knocks on.
Ireland have a scrum ten yards from their line.
The Australia bench has now been emptied with Will Genia, James Hanson and Benn Robinson on for Nick Phipps, Sain Fainga’a and Sekope Kepu.
Conor Murray has left the field with a concussion and Eoin Reddan is on. Ireland just about smuggle the ball away from their ailing scrum and clear the ball to the halfway line.
Cooper and Genia are combing well, just like the good old days. After a heap of bodies fall on the ball in the Irish 22, Australia are awarded a scrum.
The Irish scrum looks like it might give away a penalty here. There is a lot of pressure coming in on Mike Ross’ side.
An absolutely monstrous scrum from Ireland repels the Australian pack and they win a penalty. Looks like I reversed jinxed them!
Murray is back on for Reddan now and Cronin is in for Best.
Ireland are being forced to soak up a lot of pressure here. Cooper is buzzing around and if Ireland infringe, it could be tied up again.
Beale forces an inside pass to Hooper who knocks on in the Ireland 22 and Henshaw blasts the ball down the field to safety. Australia have a lineout just outside their own 22 with two minutes to go.
Felix Jones is on for Kearney, who has picked up an injury and Reddan is on for Sexton, who leaves with a suspected concussion.
Australia are trying to play their way up the field and are now in the Irish half. Will this end like the All Blacks game last year?
Adam Ashley-Cooper slips on the left wing and Bowe is on him immediately. Penalty to Ireland and that is that.
FT Ireland 26-23 Australia
What a game of rugby that was. The second half was every bit as tense and tight as the first 40 was free-flowing and exciting. Some of the tries and backline play was sumptuous and now Ireland have completed their first clean sweep in November since 2006.
That’s all from our liveblog of Ireland vs Australia. Thanks for joining me today. Go out and celebrate the Irish win and be sure to check back here later for reaction and analysis from what was a cracking game of rugby.
