The hosts defeated the Wallabies three tries to one to give head coach Andy Farrell a victorious farewell before he takes charge of the British & Irish Lions next year.
It was also a memorable day for Cian Healy, who became Ireland’s most capped player with 134 when he came on as a substitute in what was also a match commemorating Irish Rugby’s 150th anniversary.
“There is relief, but there is also joy,” Ireland captain Caelan Doris told TNT Sports.
“They are a quality side, they are coached by Joe Schmidt and we knew it would be top class.”
The Wallabies took the lead when Joe McCarthy was penalized – but spared a scapegoat – and Noah Lolesio fired over the penalty.
The Irish made basic handling errors, Australian-born prop Finlay Bealham guilty of two sloppy knock-ons.
A messy first twenty minutes was somewhat brightened up by an excellent Australian try.
Sam Prendergast produced a brilliant try-saving tackle on Andrew Kellaway, but the Wallabies retained possession and spread it to the other wing where Max Jorgensen was free to touch down.
Lolesio brilliantly converted the 10-0 from the sideline.
The score seemed to wake the hosts up and they got back into it when Josh van der Flier crashed in the 23rd minute for his 13th test try.
Prendergast’s conversion attempt was a wild one, leaving the Wallabies 10-5 down.
The Irish enjoyed their best period of the match since the opening minutes, but a loose pass from James Lowe and then an Aussie turnover from Tom Wright prevented them from increasing their score.
Handle errors
The handling errors piled up for the Irish, Lowe’s knock on their eighth in the opening half hour.
This allowed the Wallabies to clear and cut through the Irish defense, Robbie Henshaw did very well to hit the ball over their try line for Kellaway.
Prendergast prevented the Irish from conceding another try after a pass from captain Caelan Doris was cleared by propagandist Taniela Tupou.
Tupou showed remarkable pace before an over-the-shoulder pass was gratefully snubbed by Prendergast, but he was penalized for not releasing the ball.
Lolesio converted the penalty for 13-5.
Once again Irish sloppiness cost them as a lost lineout – their second from half a yard – from the Wallabies line allowed the visitors to clear their line.
Schmidt went for his half-time chat the happier man with his former student Farrell needing some sharp words for his players after a disappointing display.
Farrell, Doris added, said “there was a lot more to us. It was our inaccuracy and not returning to neutral after mistakes”.
The Irish got the first score of the second period, Prendergast receiving a long-range penalty of 13-8.
This was a vastly improved Irish team, with Doris going under the posts as the clock ticked towards the half hour mark.
Prendergast converted Doris’ eighth Test try to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the match, 15-13.
Lolesio restored the Wallabies’ lead with a penalty in front of the posts and added another penalty just after the hour: 19-15.
The Irish had lost their early vim of the second half and Farrell threw on the Munster halfback pair of Jack Crowley and Craig Casey with 14 minutes to go.
A minute later, Healy produced the biggest roar of the match as the 37-year-old prop became Ireland’s most capped player, ahead of the retired Brian O’Driscoll.
Crowley and Casey injected much-needed impetus into the Irish attack.
Crowley’s delightful grabbing kick earned the Irish a lineout close to the Australian line and was completed by the landing of replacement hooker Gus McCarthy.
Crowley converted to put the hosts ahead 22-19.
The Aussies pushed through but a strike from the previously excellent Wright left Farrell roaring with a mix of relief and coaching joy.
The Irish held on to record their fourth successive victory over the Wallabies – a feat they last achieved in the 1960s.
© 2024 AFP