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After the Socceroos’ deflating loss to Egypt earlier in the day, Australian sport needed a shot in the arm. And the underdog Wallabies, who had lost seven of their past eight Tests, almost delivered it in style at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, going within a few centimetres of upsetting the world’s third-ranked side. Instead, despite scoring five tries with exhilarating attack, the Wallabies fell to a cruel 33-31 defeat to Ireland right at the death.
Ireland had not played a Test since March and Australia November, but both teams shucked off the rust quickly, trading a flurry of tries in the opening quarter. Australia drew first blood, snaffling a loose lineout and hammering the Ireland line before Carter Gordon speared a long ball to Jock Campbell who caught it on his boot laces and passed to flying Wiradjuri winger Dylan Pietsch who dived into the corner.
Ireland hit back in the 10th minute, Sam Prendergast burrowing over from short range and brother Cian converting to nudge Ireland to a 7-5 lead. That advantage did not last long, Gordon streaking into space and setting up slick hands for Campbell to cross in the right corner after a 1,316-day exile from the national side. But again, Ireland answered, stabbing at the line, until Josh van der Flier nudged the paint.
Down 10-12, the Wallabies got the crowd back on their feet when Gordon sparked a sweeping raid that saw Rob Valetini split Ireland up the middle and set up Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s tip pass to Pietsch, who let Josh Canham deliver another golden finish.
After going try for try, Australia now delivered a one-two punch. Max Jorgensen forced an error and swooped on the loose ball, surging upfield before hooping a pass for half-back Ryan Lonergan to dot down and make it 24-12 and six tries in half an hour.
Australia were dazzling Ireland with attack and rattling them with defence. And when Canham stole another lineout and sent Suaalii galloping for the line, the gold rush looked to be on again. Instead Ireland hauled him down a metre short and sucker punched Australia on the siren, Jamison Gibson-Park finishing a classy counterattack to make it 24-19 at the break.
Ireland stole back the lead seven minutes into the new half. All night they had spurned three points to chase five and again they tapped and ran, hammering the line until Gibson-Park flung it right and Garry Ringrose’s silky hands found Hugo Keenan on the angle. He burst through Suaalii and scored to make it 24-26.
But Australia kept coming. Tate McDermott, who had come on early when Lonergan went off concussed, scooted away to win back the lead, Gordon’s conversion giving his side a five-point buffer as both teams emptied their benches for the final quarter.
Ireland’s fresh legs looked to have won them back the initiative in the 56th minute when Dan Sheehan barrelled over. But even as the conversion was securing the visitors a 33-31 lead, the Wallabies captain Harry Wilson was calling for a review, claiming his defenders had been obstructed. Bizarrely, it worked and the try was overturned.
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The game’s breakneck speed and the host of new combinations now had both attacks skittish, with fumbles and fouls, poor discipline and sprayed kicks aplenty. Australia gave away repeat ruck penalties. Ireland knocked on within sight of the line. Ben Donaldson, the replacement flyhalf, botched a penalty kick with 10 minutes to go.
Who would blink first? With a stadium record of 41,971 on the edge of their seats, Ireland pushed into Australia’s red zone and rolled their maul forward. For minute after minute, Wallabies repelled the green waves with abrasive tackling. Finally, debutant Lachlan Shaw copped a yellow card and Thomas Clarkson broke through, crashing over to make it 33-31 in favour of Ireland.
But then came a final twist. With the full-time siren echoing, Ireland erred at the ruck, gifting a final penalty shot to Donaldson from 40 metres out. As the crowd held their breath, his kick sailed wide. And, just like that, Australia’s shot at a winning start to the Nations Championship vanished. The Irish began singing The Cranberries’ Zombie while the Wallabies and their fans walked into the night like the living dead.
