Ireland players celebrate a try by Mack Hansen. Nick Elliott/INPHO

As it happened: Ireland finish strong to defeat Australia in the Autumn Nations Series

Catch up on all the action as Ireland welcomed the Wallabies to Dublin.

a-view-of-match-balls-and-match-programme-in-the-dressing-room-ahead-of-the-match Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO

Good evening one and all!

It’s a fine, crisp one here at the Aviva Stadium as Andy Farrell’s side embark on their third outing in the Autumn Nations Series. This time, it’s Australia who are in town and it should hopefully be a belter.

It’s no secret that Ireland were sluggish in their win against Japan here last weekend. And their performance against New Zealand in Chicago wasn’t much to write home about either. A good start will certainly be a big goal this evening as they come against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies outfit. Ireland need to be better in the set-piece too, and the lineout will be a particular area of focus.

We’ll have the team line-ups for you shortly, along with any changes to either side ahead of he 8.10pm kick-off. And as always, stick around for our post-match coverage from Murray Kinsella, Ciarán Kennedy and myself, Sinéad Farrell.

IRELAND: Mack Hansen; Tommy O’Brien, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Paddy McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris (captain), Jack Conan.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Cian Prendergast, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Bundee Aki.

AUSTRALIA: Max Jorgensen; Filipo Daugunu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; James O’Connor, Jake Gordon; Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa; Jeremy Williams, Tom Hooper; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (captain).

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Zane Nonggorr, Nick Frost, Carlo Tizzano, Ryan Lonergan, Tane Edmed, Andrew Kellaway.

So, we have some interesting changes in the Ireland team. What do you make of them?

  • Sam Prendergast starts at 10
  • Mack Hansen returns from injury at fullback
  • Paddy McCarthy gets his first Test start in the number one shirt
  • Caelan Doris shifts from number eight to openside flanker
  • Jack Conan comes into the starting side at number eight
  • Robbie Henshaw moves to outside centre
  • Stuart McCloskey returns from a groin injury at number 12
  • Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong come straight back in to the front row

The usual menu of pre-match reading to be enjoyed here:

The home crowd seems to have found their voice a bit better compared to last week. Each name being announced on the starting Ireland team receives a huge roar.

Let’s see if the quality of the rugby on show follows that.

The lights have been dimmed – the teams are getting ready to make their way onto the field.

And here they come!

Kick-Off! Ireland v Australia

1 min: Ireland 0-0 Australia

And Sam Prendergast gets us off the mark in Dublin. Ireland need a strong start here.

1 min: Ireland 0-0 Australia

Great take in the air by Mack Hansen. That will hopefully set the tone.

2 mins: Ireland 0-0 Australia

Brilliant line break by Tadhg Beirne. A crossfield kick finds Tommy O’Brien and some quick offloads back across ends up in James Lowe’s hands on the opposite wing. 

3 mins: Ireland 0-0 Australia

Prendergast knocks the ball on. Clean scrum from Australia but some sloppy passing from James O’Connor almost sees Ireland go through. Robbie Henshaw boots it into the corner.

Now, this is more like it.

4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Australia

Australia win the lineout and don’t make too much ground with the clearance.

4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Australia

Now Ireland have a lineout and it’s a clean release from Dan Sheehan into the hands of Ryan Baird. That should settle things after getting a lot of heat for the set-piece.

TRY! Ireland 7-0 Australia (Mack Hansen ’6)

8 mins: Ireland 7-0 Australia

Ireland and rewarded for that period of pressure. They work their way out of the corner with some quick passes and although the last one goes to deck, there’s no knock on and Prendergast works it across again for Hansen to dive in under the posts.

Prendergast taps it over.

TRY! Ireland 14-0 Australia (Mack Hansen ’11)

13 mins: Ireland 14-0 Australia

Ireland double their advantage!

And it’s basically a repeat of the first try. Just to catch you up, it essentially started with a knock-on by Australia full-back Max Jorgensen who just got caught in two minds when trying to deal with an Irish delivery.

Ireland work the ball out from the scrum with Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw both getting their hands on it before Hansen runs in.

Prendergast lobs it over again and Ireland are really motoring now.

16 mins: Ireland 14-0 Australia

Apologies for a slight delay with the last few updates. Dealing with some gremlins in the Wi-Fi but we’ve sorted it now.

Australia on their first real attack. Their closing in on the five-metre line and they have a penalty advantage.

17 mins: Ireland 14-0 Australia

Roars of ‘IRELAND, IRELAND’ go up as the hosts work to keep Australia out.

The Wallabies still have possession though.

TRY! Ireland 14-7 Australia (Len Ikitau ’18)

20 mins: Ireland 14-7 Australia

And it’s game on again!

Len Ikitau breaks through Sam Prendergast under the posts to get Australia off the mark. And James O’Connor converts.

21 mins: Ireland 14-7 Australia

Prendergast and Hansen link up well on the kick chase. Ireland on the front foot again.

23 mins: Ireland 14-7 Australia

Some good and not so good work from Ireland there.

Caelan Doris and Tadhg Furlong carry the ball well but Prendergast tries a no-look pass that is too far a stretch for Henshaw.

Australia then get a penalty upgrade over a tip tackle by James Ryan.

THE STORY SO FAR

26 mins: Ireland 14-7 Australia 

Lovely kick from Jamison Gibson-Park to get the 50:22. Ireland will look to create from here.

26 mins: Ireland 14-7 Australia 

Grubber kick from O’Brien tries to find James Lowe. Ireland put the pressure on to push Australia over their own tryline and it will be a five-metre scrum.

27 mins: Ireland 14-7 Australia

Ireland change: Bundee Aki comes in for McCloskey who appears to have picked up an injury.

TRY! Ireland 19-7 Australia (Mack Hansen ’28)

30 mins: Ireland 19-7 Australia

Ireland claim from their own lineout and send a long one down. The referee awards the penalty to Australia after Henshaw charges in to make the tackle on Harry Potter in the air.

35 mins: Ireland 19-7 Australia

Australia win a penalty and go for the corner.

36 mins: Ireland 19-7 Australia

Ireland win the Australia lineout!

Huge intervention there on the jump from Baird to push it back to Gibson-Park and push the Aussies back.

36 mins: Ireland 19-7 Australia

Now Australia are back in midfield after some more great work from Baird. Lowe chases the kick and Ireland get the scrum.

The referee wants to have a look at something though with the TMO.

37 mins: Ireland 19-7 Australia

It’s Lowe’s challenge on Potter they’re reviewing but the referee is happy that there is minimal contact and it’s a penalty to Australia.

38 mins: Ireland 19-7 Australia

Australia stretch Ireland again on the attack. It comes out to Rob Valetini out wide but it’s too short. Play comes back for the Australia penalty.

40 mins: Ireland 19-7 Australia

Australia on Ireland’s five-metre line. A score seems imminent. 

TRY! Ireland 19-14 Australia (Fraser McReight ’40)

Half-Time! Ireland 19-14 Australia

Ireland 19-14 Australia

Just what Ireland didn’t want. Once again, they can’t keep Australia out as Fraser McReight punishes them with a quick pick and go!

Ireland 19-14 Australia

And so, it’s Mack Hansen’s hat-trick — or Mack-Trick, if you will — that gives Ireland the advantage at the break. Prendergast has kicked two of his three conversions. 

Australia have two tries through Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight. Both conversions were in front of the posts.

Ireland will surely be happier with their first-half effort this week but defensively could be better.

Second Half: Ireland 19-14 Australia

40 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

And O’Connor starts the second half.

42 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Baird snatches the Australia lineout again. Brilliant from him.

42 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Hansen drops the ball in the Ireland backfield. That’s his first big error after a brilliant first of half of try-scoring.

44 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Ireland keep the ball from a scrum. Prendergast puts it up for Hansen but he doesn’t get off the ground in time, and knocks it on.

The move ends in a scrum for Australia after play comes back. 

46 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Australia get the ball out and send down a kick for Hansen to chase and touch down. Prendergast clears it out and Australia start the phaseplay again.

46 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

PENALTY TO IRELAND!

Doris wins that decision on the ground.

Ireland changes: Andrew Porter and Nick Timoney come in for McCarthy and Conan.

48 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Ireland are in the corner after Doris steals the ball on the ground and a penalty is awarded.

They’ll look to heave from here.

49 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

IRELAND HELD UP! 

Great defensive work from Australia.

The maul fails to get the job done after winning another lineout.

50 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Hansen unlucky in the air again as he tries to get under a Prendergast kick. But it bounces out of his hands.

53 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Australia lineout a bit wobbly again but they claim and kick across and it dribbles into touch.

Ireland win their lineout again and Ireland make a big break as Prendergast carries and slips the ball to Gibson-Park.

Australia get the turnover after the ball bounces off Porter. Australia counter attack begins.

54 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

That was a lovely dummy pass from Prendergast to create that opportunity. Ireland have a scrum after a knock-on by Potter.

54 mins: Ireland 19-14 Australia

Ireland get the penalty. Prendergast kicks and Sheehan heads over to set up the lineout.

We’re almost 20 minutes into the second half and no scores yet.

56 mins: Ireland 22-14 Australia

PRENDERGAST DROP GOAL!

Another successful lineout take sets up the move. Some good passes and good footwork from Prendegast.

Henshaw slips to Porter and the possession is eventually recycled to Prendergast for the drop.

58 mins: Ireland 22-14 Australia

Ireland changes: Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson and Cian Prendergast replace Sheehan, Furlong and Ryan.

Some kicking tennis going on between the teams as the play gets a bit scrappy.

58 mins: Ireland 22-14 Australia

Hansen wins the aerial battle this time but Australia win it back. They knock it on though and the general quality of the play has dipped for both sides in the last few minutes.

Ireland 22-14 Australia

Tommy O’Brien goes in for a try after a crossfield kick. But we’re going to the TMO

60 mins: Ireland 22-14 Australia

NO IRELAND TRY!

Lowe knocks the ball on after Jorgensen knocked it on first. Such a shame after that beautiful pass by Prendergast.

60 mins: Ireland 22-14 Australia

Ireland changes: Jack Crowley is in for Prendergast. 

60 mins: Ireland 22-14 Australia

A big roar from the crowd there as Prendergast heads off after a good day’s work. And Crowley takes over for the last 20 minutes.

62 mins: Ireland 25-14 Australia

JACK CROWLEY PENALTY!

63 mins: Ireland 25-14 Australia

And that’s a certainly a way to mark your introduction. And it just nudges Ireland further ahead.

Porter won that decision from a scrum penalty.

64 mins: Ireland 25-14 Australia

Australia are in the corner after O’Connor gets his kick inside the flag.

66 mins: Ireland 25-14 Australia

BUT IRELAND WIN IT!

It’s a clean grab for Doris at the back. He brings it up the ’22. The kick pushes them back but a clever crossfield kick sent further again by Jorgensen’s boot.

The ball finds touch in the corner for an Ireland lineout.

68 mins: Ireland 25-14 Australia

Gibson-Parks with a dummy before releasing a kick chase but no-one gets in in time to go after it.

Ireland 32-14 Australia 

TMO CHECK ON DORIS TRY!

Ireland 32-14 Australia

So the TMO was to check a tackle by Australia’s Nick Frost so the try is good! And Frost gets a yellow card for a high challenge on Thomas Clarkson. Clarkson heads off for a HIA too.

Crowley got the conversion, we should add.

Ireland changes: Craig Casey comes on for Gibson-Park, who then comes back on for Hansen.

TRY! Ireland 32-19 Australia (Billy Pollard ’74)

76 mins: Ireland 32-19 Australia

Substitute Pollard goes over and the conversion is missed by Tane Edmed. But it gives Australia a slight lifeline.

TRY! Ireland 39-19 Australia (Ryan Baird ’78)

78 mins: Ireland 39-19 Australia

And that’s that! Ireland comfortably 20 points in front with time almost up.

TRY! Ireland 46-19 Australia (Robbie Henshaw ’80)

Full-Time! Ireland 46-19 Australia

Ireland 46-19 Australia

What a finish!

Robbie Henshaw collects a brilliant crossfield kick to power over. Crowley nails the conversion from a tricky spot. And that’s all she wrote folks!

So that’s a hat-trick for Man of the Match Mack Hansen, along with further tries from Doris, Baird and Henshaw. A statement win from Andy Farrell’s side.

Solid performances from both out-halves too as Prendergast and Crowley continue that absorbing battle for the 10 jersey.

Well, that’s all from us folks. Have a look at Murray Kinsella’s match report here before you go.

We hope you enjoyed the coverage this evening and look forward to having you with us again soon.

Until next time, good luck!

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