Irish enjoy taste of southern comfort
Schmidt’s men make light of injuries to add Wallabies to list of scalps
A WOUNDED Australia side will arrive at Twickenham next Saturday as Ireland emulated Sir Clive Woodward’s class of 2003 by beating all three Southern Hemisphere giants in a calendar year.
This was a heroic effort from Joe Schmidt’s side who went into the contest without their playmaking axis of Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw and were dealt a further blow an hour before kick-off when powerhouse flanker Sean O’Brien failed a late fitness test on a hip injury. Josh van der Flier stepped in to fill the void.
It would get worse for Ireland with injuries claiming three of their frontline backs in the opening 40 minutes. A makeshift Irish back line, shorn of Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne, was forced to defend for the entire second half against one of the most dangerous attacking units in world rugby.
But a powerful and committed performance, spearheaded by a monumental forward effort, capped off a memorable November campaign for the men in green.
The Aviva Stadium faithful rose as one just before kick-off to hail skipper Rory Best as he took the field on his 100th appearance for Ireland.
Fittingly, the home side came firing out of the blocks launching a barrage of attacks in the opening quarter. It was classic Schmidt rugby: brutal physicality, powerful carrying and efficient clearing out the ruck. CJ Stander well and truly led the Ireland charge with the Munster flanker carrying the ball five times in as many minutes.
Having monopolised possession and territory from the kick-off, the home side were eventually rewarded for their dominance when Paddy Jackson kicked the first points of the evening in the 17th minute. Ireland have never had to work harder for a 3-0 lead.
That early advantage came at a cost, however, as Kearney left the action with concussion after a heavy collision with Israel Folau. Simon Zebo came on at full-back.
Then came a huge moment in the match. Australia flanker Dean Mumm was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tip tackle on Tadhg Furlong in the 22nd minute. The former Exeter Chief received a yellow for his moment of madness; it could have been red.
Like all top sides do, and Ireland are very much a top side now, the 14-man visitors were made to pay immediately. Substitute Zebo’s deft grubber kick was collected gleefully by Keith Earls and, when the Mun-
ster winger was scragged by Henry Speight, Iain Henderson raced onto the ensuing offload to gallop over the line from 15 metres out. Jackson made it 10-0 and Ireland were up and running.
Bodies continued to drop in the Irish ranks as Trimble was forced off with an ankle injury. Leinster flyhalf Joey Carbery joined the action with Zebo moving to the wing.
The Irish pack were bullying their Australian counterparts, but it was a moment of magic from centre Garry Ringrose that lit up the contest.
The 21-year-old, making only his second Test start, weaved and ducked his way through an admittedly porous-looking Australia defence to score beside the uprights for a superb solo try. Jackson made no mistake with the conversion.
The Wallabies had the final say of the half, however, as winger Dane Haylett-Petty finished off a sublime set-piece attack to race in under the posts.
As Ireland looked to hold on after the break, Speight was denied a certain try when David Pocock’s final pass travelled slightly forward. The Wallabies would not be denied two minutes later, however, as quick hands put Tevita Kuridrani into the corner. Foley converted to cut Ireland’s lead to three points.
Jackson hit a much-needed penalty in the 48th minute to ease the pressure and make it 20-14.
Ireland were looking ragged as Sefanaia Naivalu, on as a temporary replacement for Speight, scythed through for his side’s third try of the night. Foley’s conversion secured the lead for the first time in the game with the Wallabies No10 adding another penalty to give his side a 2420 lead.
But Ireland refused to go quietly into the Dublin night and, after another brutal series of attacking phases, Earls raced over in the corner. Jackson’s sublime touchline conversion snatched the lead for Ireland once more.
The home side hung on for dear life and resisted waves of Australian attacks to seal a memorable triumph.