Overview
- Ireland edged Australia 33-31 in a tightly contested Nations Series opening match that was decided by late kicks and fine margins.
- Hugo Keenan made a first appearance for Ireland after a long injury absence and finished one of his side’s tries, giving the visitors a timely attacking lift.
- Sam Prendergast recovered from an early wobble to slot four conversions that ultimately provided the winning points.
- A length-of-the-pitch move finished by Jamison Gibson-Park after a Jack Conan offload was a pivotal score, and Australia’s Ben Donaldson missed a long-range penalty in the final moments that would have won it for the hosts.
- The victory extends Ireland’s recent run against the Wallabies to six straight wins, but analysts and players flagged continuing concerns about Ireland’s lineout, scrum and defensive consistency going forward.