Bundee Aki scored a attempt on his return from suspension to assist Ireland beat Australia 13-10 and safe a record-equalling twelfth dwelling Test success at Lansdowne Road regardless of lacking talismanic captain Johnny Sexton.
A late penalty by Ross Byrne separated the 2 sides in a dramatic climax to a match plagued by errors.
It was a troublesome outing for the Wallabies, who misplaced Taniela Tupou to what appeared to be a critical knee harm, carted off within the 54th minute.
Hunter Paisami additionally left the sector with a knee harm whereas Andrew Kellaway got here off with a foot harm as did Rob Valentini whereas Dave Porecki suffered a concussion.
The Irish will enter the World Cup yr ranked primary on this planet and are the primary staff since England in 2002 to defeat the All Blacks, the Springboks and the Wallabies in a calendar yr.
England went on to win the World Cup in 2003 however based mostly on this efficiency the Irish might want to up their recreation considerably even to make the semi-finals for the primary time.
For Australia it was a 3rd successive slender defeat within the Autumn Nations Series — having misplaced by some extent each to France after which in an historic defeat to Italy. It was the primary time Ireland had defeated Australia thrice in a row since 1968.
Sexton had been dominated out shortly earlier than the groups got here out having injured his calf muscle within the warm-up.
Sexton’s substitute at fly-half Jack Crowley handed his first take a look at by changing a penalty to present the hosts the lead after a nervy opening.
Veteran Australian fly-half Bernard Foley missed an amazing likelihood to stage the match within the twenty first minute however his penalty went broad of the posts — summing up a somewhat scrappy opening quarter.
The Australians appeared probably the most harmful of the 2 sides once they had possession and wing Mark Nawaqanitawase took the attention specifically.
Wallabies return to veteran halves | 01:12
Jordan Petaia additionally made a defence splitting run however was delivered to floor and within the course of misplaced a boot — he valiantly tried to proceed because the Wallabies stored possession however was slipping and sliding all over.
Superb Irish defence, although, stored the Australians at bay and eventually after 26 phases of play Caelan Doris compelled a turnover permitting them to clear.
However, the Irish then let the Australians off the hook by conceding a penalty contained in the guests 22 — referee Ben O’Keeffe telling each captains that one other sort out around the neck would end in a yellow card.
O’Keeffe’s warning fell on deaf ears with Folau Fainga’a who obtained Josh van der Flier around the neck and was proven the yellow card with out an excessive amount of standing on ceremony 4 minutes from the break.
The Irish had been unable so as to add to their lead earlier than Nic White kicked into contact to sign the tip of the first-half.
The Australia scrum-half obtained a shoulder barge from Irish prop Andrew Porter which resulted in a face-off however just like the first-half it was all somewhat tame.
The second-half took some time to heat up and Foley levelled the match quarter-hour in with a sweetly-struck penalty.
The Irish lastly put an incisive assault collectively — spear-headed by Doris — Aki rounding it off.
Crowley transformed for 10-3 with simply over 12 minutes remaining. The guests, although, hit again as Petaia went on his personal regardless of an overlap and touched down — Foley transformed for 10-10 with 10 minutes remaining.
The Irish, although, retook the lead when Ross Byrne, who had come on for Crowley, stored his nerve and landed a penalty with lower than 4 minutes to play.
There appeared set to be a late twist because the Australians pressed deep in Irish territory however twice they surrendered possession and it was with some aid that the Irish greeted the ultimate whistle.