Here's how Ireland gave Rory Best the perfect result for his 100th international cap

Ireland have won three out of their four Tests in the Series.

Here's how Ireland gave Rory Best the perfect result for his 100th international cap

Ireland have beaten Australia 27-24 in their fourth and final Test of the Autumn Series.

Here is how they won the match at the Aviva in Dublin.

Key moment: Another big first-half lead, another opposition fightback and worrying moments for a sell-out crowd at the Aviva.

Just as in Chicago three weeks earlier, though, Ireland proved they are made of stern stuff.

Having seen Australia turn round a 17-0 half-time deficit to lead 24-20 with 20 minutes to go, it was Ireland who made the telling next score, Keith Earls finishing a great move in the corner and Paddy Jackson converting from the touchline to edge the home side back into a lead they would not relinquish.

Talking point: If ever there was a testament to the strength in depth of this Ireland squad it was delivered against the Wallabies as a team already missing the injured Johnny Sexton, Robbie Henshaw and Sean O'Brien had to cope with the losses of three backs before the second half got under way. A year ago such injuries proved the undoing of Irish World Cup dreams but 12 months on and Joe Schmidt's players were able to see off a third Southern Hemisphere giant since June.

Key man: After two extended runs off the bench against the All Blacks in which he more than compensated for the losses of Jordi Murphy in Chicago and CJ Stander in Dublin, Josh van der Flier finally got the start he deserved when Sean O'Brien withdrew from the team through injury.

The flanker was magnificent in making the most of his chance, defending with gusto, at one point completing back to back tackles. Impressive stuff.

Ref watch: French official Jerome Garces In terms of penalties conceded it was once again a disciplined performance from Ireland, who had conceded only four penalties in each of their matches against New Zealand this month and went even lower against the Wallabies.

Garces was kept busy with the Wallabies though, issuing yellows to Dean Mumm in the first half and Bernard Foley in the final minutes, both for tip tackles.

Penalties conceded: Ireland 3 Australia 13

Injuries:

Sean O'Brien was withdrawn before kick-off having failed a fitness test while fellow injury doubt Jared Payne became the third back to hobble off when he followed first-half casualties Rob Kearney (concussion) and Andrew Trimble (ankle) to the treatment table at half-time.

Next up:

It's back to the provinces for Ireland's players as preparations begin for the next round of Pro12 games ahead of Champions Cup rounds three and four.

The Wallabies, meanwhile, have missed out on a Grand Slam but still have one more leg of their end of season tour to complete with a chance to avenge the summer's home series defeat to England by repeating their 2015 World Cup pool win over the hosts at Twickenham next weekend.

Full match report

Injury-ravaged Ireland became the first European team since 2003 to complete calendar-year victories over the southern hemisphere's big three by fending off Australia 27-24 in Dublin.

Ireland lost Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne to injury in a bruising contest, having entered the clash without Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw and late withdrawal Sean O'Brien.

Iain Henderson, Garry Ringrose and Keith Earls claimed Ireland's tries, while Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani and Sefanaia Naivalu crossed for the Wallabies.

Australia flanker Dean Mumm was fortunate to escape a red card for a dangerous tackle on Tadhg Furlong, while Bernard Foley was sin-binned late on for a challenge on Devin Toner.

Ireland wound up with replacement scrum-half Kieran Marmion on the wing and Joey Carbery at full-back, but still produced a stirring victory over the Wallabies.

Joe Schmidt's men shrugged off all their injury concerns to beat New Zealand, South Africa and Australia all in the same year - the first northern hemisphere side to complete the feat since England 13 years ago.

Ireland ripped into Australia from the off, but wasted three ideal platforms in the visitors' 22 after punting kickable penalties to the corner.

Some 17 Irish phases came and went on the move of the half that carried no reward, with Trimble hauled down just shy of the line.

Ireland had a penalty in the bag but Mumm - selected at six to disrupt the home lineout - did exactly that.

Israel Folau then left a knee in on Kearney as he shipped out wide, effectively forcing Ireland's full-back out of the contest.

Kearney had only just beaten a concussion picked up in last week's 21-9 New Zealand loss, and was again withdrawn due to head injury checks here.

Paddy Jackson slotted a penalty to put Ireland 3-0 to the good after Stephen Moore slipped off his feet at a ruck.

And then came the half's controversy. Mumm dumped Furlong at a ruck with Australia on the attack.

The former Exeter back-five forward dropped Furlong on his head, however - and was hugely fortunate to avoid a red card.

Referee Jerome Garces explained "it's not a dynamic situation" to both captains in awarding Mumm a yellow card.

An unfazed Ireland seized full advantage, Simon Zebo conjuring a try for Henderson thanks to a cute chip that Earls regathered.

Earls fed the onrushing Henderson inside and the Ulster lock sneaked his way across the line.

Jackson's conversion had Ireland 10-0 ahead just into the second quarter.

Trimble was then forced off with ankle trouble, with Carbery slotting in at full-back and Zebo switching to the wing.

Ireland fluffed a maul peel at the back of the lineout, only for Ringrose to scoop up the loose ball and wriggle home for the hosts' second try.

The stung Wallabies did however hit back. Rory Best produced a startling cover tackle on Reece Hodge to deny the visitors a score.

Conor Murray dented another Wallabies raid, but Ireland could not keep Australia scoreless at the break.

Haylett-Petty finished courtesy of a neat inside ball from Folau as Michael Cheika's men left the tie neatly poised, with Ireland leading 17-7 at the break.

Ireland lost Payne at half-time, the influential centre suffering a back problem after having only just shaken off a "lower-limb tweak" to be fit for the clash.

Yet another backline reshuffle saw Earls shift to 13 and replacement scrum-half Marmion enter the fray on the wing.

A forward pass from David Pocock denied Australia an immediate try at the top of the second half.

Just minutes later Kuridrani waltzed home however, with Ireland's backline at sixes and sevens.

Jackson posted his second penalty of the night to nudge Ireland back into a 20-14 lead, but still Australia heaped on the pressure.

Replacement wing Naivalu coasted over with his first touch as Ireland lost their defensive shape, with Foley converting to hand the Wallabies a 21-20 lead.

A Foley penalty handed Australia a four-point advantage on the hour, but Ireland somehow found another gear.

Earls raced in from Zebo's scoring pass thanks to bullish carries from CJ Stander, Furlong and Peter O'Mahony.

Jackson's nerveless conversion pushed Ireland back into a 27-24 lead.

Ireland continued to hang in the match, and were handed a huge boost when Foley was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Toner.

The hosts then ground out the result, Jackson punting a full-time penalty into touch to spark raucous celebrations in Dublin.

more courts articles

Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

Dublin v Meath - Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final Leinster and Northampton sell out Croke Park for Champions Cup semi-final
Pete Wilkins 21/10/2023 Wilkins sets point target for Connacht to secure Champions Cup place
RG Snyman 17/4/2024 RG Snyman starts as Munster make six changes for Bulls clash
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited