Ireland prop Tom Clarkson’s late converted try snatched his side a thrilling 33-31 win over Australia in their Nations Championship opener in Sydney.
Replacement Clarkson went over from close range to tie the scores at 31-31 with three minutes remaining in a breathless encounter at the Allianz Stadium and Sam Prendergast landed the match-winning conversion.
Australia replacement fly-half Ben Donaldson had a chance to win it for the hosts with a long-range penalty at the death, but was off target in a match which saw both sides score five tries.
The Wallabies were rewarded for a fast start and after driving to within five metres, the ball was spun wide for wing Dylan Pietsch to gather and dive over in the third minute.
Ireland’s response was equally impressive as flanker Cian Prendergast muscled his way over from close range for brother Sam Prendergast to convert, but their lead was short-lived.
Australia fly-half Carter Gordon’s excellent line break and superb handling in the backs sent full-back Campbell racing in at the corner before Ireland regained the lead through Van der Flier’s touch down following Dan Sheehan’s quick tap-penalty.
Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan’s try-saving tackle denied Australia scrum-half Lonergan a fine try, but second row Canham finished off the move and then Lonergan scampered over for the Wallabies’ fourth, bonus-point, try three minutes later after winger Max Jorgensen’s interception.
Gordon landed both conversions after his two earlier misses to give Australia a 24-12 lead inside the opening 30 minutes.
Keenan rescued Ireland again when he brought down centre Joseph Sua’ali’i just short before the visitors hit back, with scrum-half Gibson-Park taking Jack Conan’s inside pass to go over after a superb move from inside their own 22.
That left Ireland trailing 24-19 at half-time following seven tries in a see-saw first period.
Ireland surged to within striking distance early in the second half and edged 26-24 ahead through Keenan’s converted try, only for Australia’s quick-thinking replacement scrum-half Tate McDermott to dart over from a tap penalty. Gordon added the extras and Australia led 31-26.
Dan Sheehan’s converted score for Ireland was ruled out by the Television Match Official after James Ryan had taken out a potential tackler.
Australia’s scrambling defence repelled more Ireland pressure and after tempers flared for an Irish infringement, Ben Donaldson sent a crucial penalty attempt wide.
Ireland cranked up the pressure in the closing stages and after Australia were repeatedly penalised for offside, second row Lachlan Shaw was shown a yellow card.
Another surging wave of green took Ireland close again and replacement prop Clarkson burrowed over to tie the score at 31-31 and Prendergast held his nerve to land a match-winning conversion.
Ireland were penalised with the clock ticking down, but Donaldson’s penalty attempt from over 50 metres drifted wide.
PA
