Rocky rues late try
Australia captain Rocky Elsom expressed his disappointment after Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll’s last-gasp try denied his side the chance of Grand Slam on their European tour.
The Wallabies were on course to follow up their win over England when Elsom’s 62nd-minute try put them 20-13 ahead.
But, with time running out at Croke Park, O’Driscoll, a former Leinster team-mate of Elsom, marked his 100th international with his 37th try for Ireland and Ronan O’Gara kicked the conversion to snatch a 20-20 draw.
Elsom told BBC Sport: “As much as we didn’t want to talk about it, it’s a very big occasion and it’s disappointing that we didn’t notch up a win there.
“If we had defended that last phase, we would have deserved to win but who would have thought, in his 100th game, Brian would come up with the goods?
“I thought we could have stopped that last play but they executed really well.”
Winger Drew Mitchell had given Australia a third-minute lead when he capitalised on a knock-on by O’Driscoll to score the opening try and Matt Giteau kicked the first of four goals.
Australia coach Robbie Deans felt Ireland had “escaped with a draw” but admitted they were far superior to England, who the Wallabies defeated 18-9 last weekend.
“It was clearly a game we could have and should have won,” said Deans.
“The fact Ireland were still within seven points near the end was the critical element.
“We played enough rugby and had enough possession and opportunities to get beyond that but didn’t do it.
“When you leave the door ajar to a team that has the maturity, belief and persistence of Ireland, they’ll come back and save their skins.
“Ireland escaped with a draw. It was only in the last seconds of the game they were able to level with us so we are frustrated.
“There’s no doubt Ireland were a step up from England. We stepped up our performance today.”
