The Wallabies have produced a spirited display to push Ireland in Dublin, but the home side found enough in the tank to post a thrilling 22-19 victory.
The result leaves the Wallabies with a 2-2 win-loss record on their spring tour of the Home Nations, but they will rue missed opportunities against world number two Ireland.
They led 10-0 during the first half and were 13-5 ahead at the break, but Ireland’s experience and class told in the second term.
The Irish assumed the lead in the 50th minute through a converted try to skipper Caelan Doris and an earlier Sam Prendergast penalty goal.
But the Wallabies refused to fold, reclaiming the lead via back-to-back penalty goals from the boot of Noah Lolesio.
Their defence was put under immense pressure as the second half continued and the dam wall eventually burst when Ireland scored its third try in the 73rd minute.
Gus McCarthy touched down following a driving maul close to the Wallabies’ line, with the conversion giving Ireland the final three-point buffer on the scoreboard.
Earlier, the Wallabies scored their only try of the match through winger Max Jorgensen when he scurried over on the left edge in the 19th minute.
Taniela Tupou makes a break for the Wallabies in Dublin. (Getty Images: David Rogers)
Ireland responded four minutes later, however, with impressive openside flanker Josh van der Flier crashing over for his side’s opening try.
The Test served as another preview of next year’s British and Irish Lions series, with opposing coaches Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell to square off again on Australian soil.
The Wallabies had arrived in Dublin on the back of their 27-13 loss to Scotland, the result costing the visitors the chance of claiming their first grand slam in 40 years.
They had earlier defeated England 42-37 and thrashed Wales 52-20.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog.
Key Events
Thanks for joining us!
So that’s brings the Wallabies’ spring tour to a conclusion.
Two wins and two losses on the road after a disappointing Rugby Championship campaign should be considered a success.
Progress has been made under Joe Schmidt and it’s not false hope to suggest the Wallabies will give a solid account of themselves in next year’s British and Irish Lions series.
Thanks for your company over the last three weeks, it was a pleasure to have you on board during the Wallabies’ trek through the Home Nations.
Can’t wait for you to join us for a bumper 2025!
FT: Ireland wins!
Ireland triumphs 22-19!
What a Test!
The Wallabies threw a lot at the Irish, but the hosts proved the better side across the 80 minutes.
They trailed 13-5 at half-time but refused to panic, even when the Wallabies reclaimed the lead inside the final 40 minutes.
The Wallabies can hold their heads high after a spirited display against the world number two, but they will rue several missed opportunities.
Congratulations Ireland!
78′ Wallabies have one final chance
Ireland back-rower Tadhg Beirne knocks the ball on inside the Wallabies’ half, giving the tourists a centre-field scrum feed and their last throw of the dice.
What can they do with under two minutes on the clock?
77′ Ireland clinging to three-point lead
Jack Crowley does Ireland no favours, kicking the ball into touch on the full.
The Wallabies have a line-out throw just inside their half but they ultimately turn the ball over.
Meanwhile, Tane Edmed leaves the field for an HIA only minutes after coming on for his first Test.
Noah Lolesio is back on the field.
75′ Edmed on for Test debut
Congratulations to Tane Edmed, who enters the match to make his Test debut.
Edmed replaces Noah Lolesio at fly half.
He is the 19th Wallabies’ debutant this season.
73′ Ireland back in front!
Ireland reclaims the lead from a try that followed a driving maul close to the Wallabies’ line.
Reserve hooker Gus McCarthy comes up with the ball, as the Wallabies’ defensive maul falls short under immense pressure.
Jack Crowley’s conversion puts Ireland out to a 22-19 advantage.
70′ Wallabies give away penalty deep inside their half
The Wallabies give away a penalty on their 22, allowing Jack Crowley to pump the ball into touch.
From a line-out five metres away from the Wallabies’ line, Ireland wins the ball and uses its driving maul.
But the Irish can’t get over the stripe and the Wallabies earn a goal-line restart.
66′ Ireland makes key substitute
Among the personnel changes, the Irish have chosen to give young fly half Sam Prendergast a spell, with Jack Crowley coming on.
Meanwhile, reserve loosehead prop Cian Healy is on the field to become Ireland’s most-capped player in his 134th Test.
62′ Wallabies go further ahead with another penalty goal
Great work from Wallabies openside flanker Fraser McReight, forcing a penalty at the breakdown just inside Ireland’s half with his play over the ball.
The Irish were penalised for not releasing, giving Noah Lolesio another chance at the sticks.
From near the halfway line, Lolesio coolly nailed the kick to put the Wallabies out to a 19-15 lead.
60′ Both sides going to their benches
The Wallabies and Ireland are opting for fresh legs, making several changes as we hit the halfway mark in the second term.
No indication yet if Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will look to give Tane Edmed his first Test cap.
55′ Wallabies back in front on the scoreboard
The Wallabies rightly opted for a shot on goal in front of the posts when Ireland was penalised for not releasing the ball carrier at the breakdown inside its 22.
Noah Lolesio slotted the penalty goal to put the Wallabies back in front, 16-15.
49′ Ireland goes ahead after Doris’s converted try!
The dam wall has burst with Ireland scoring under the posts through skipper Caelan Doris.
From a penalty inside the Wallabies’ half, Sam Prendergast went for touch and the Irish won the line-out uncontested.
They launched a series of raids on the Wallabies’ goal line, with Doris finding a gap to crash over to level scores.
Prendergast had the easiest of conversion attempts to put his side 15-13 ahead.
It must be noted Ireland fullback Hugo Keenan seemed fortunate not to be pinged for an knock-on when he contested a kick in the phase play leading up to the penalty, but referee Andrea Piardi ruled the ball went backwards.
46′ Wallabies hold out sustained Ireland attack
The Wallabies’ defence holds up inside their 22 to force a turnover after Ireland marched down field.
The Irish threw everything at the Wallabies’ ‘D-line’ with wave after wave of attack, but the visitors are up to the test.
43′ Ireland cuts back Wallabies’ lead
Ireland make a positive start to the second half, with the impressive Sam Prendergast knocking over a long-range penalty goal.
Wallabies still lead, but their advantage is cut back to 13-8.
Update
Second half prediction pls Luke!? Is it possible?
– Paul
Paul, if this was 1999 I would say Wallabies all the way.
But we’re in 2024, so it may be a nervous next 40 minutes for Wallabies fans!
Play back underway in Dublin
The Wallabies deserve their 13-5 lead as we make a start to the second half.
Can they hold on and post a boilover in Dublin?
Or do the Irish have enough in the tank to overhaul the tourists?
Let’s find out!
HT: Wallabies take a 13-5 lead into the sheds
It’s time for oranges and its the Wallabies leading 13-5 at the break.
A try apiece in the opening 40 minutes, but both sides could be forgiven for thinking they left points out on the field with some wasted chances in attack.
The Wallabies just have the edge in possession, holding the pill for 51 per cent of the match.
But penalties are a concern, with the Wallabies conceding six to four, including three inside their half.
39′ Wallabies blow excellent opportunity
In the shadows of half-time, the Wallabies were on the attack inside the Irish half.
But a dropped ball from Fraser McReight halted the Wallabies’ progress in what will be their final chance of scoring points in the first half.
36′ Ireland wastes golden chance
Ireland will rue a mistimed line-out after Sam Prendergast gave his side ideal field position from a penalty.
From inside his half, Prendergast roosted the ball into touch, just seven metres out from the Wallabies’ line.
But the Irish pack made a mess of the throw and the Wallabies regained possession.
33′ Wallabies extend lead with penalty goal
The Wallabies stretch their advantage to 13-5 via the boot of Noah Lolesio.
He converted from the tee after Ireland gave away a penalty inside its territory.
