Live: Wallabies face Ireland in historic Nations Championship Test

The Wallabies make their first appearance of the 2026 Test season, with world number three Ireland set to provide a formidable challenge in Sydney.

Follow our live blog.

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Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 4:33pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 4:33pm

Australia vs Ireland: live score

By Luke Pentony

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Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:55pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:55pm

40' Ireland scores on the stroke of half-time!

By Luke Pentony

Ireland scores!

Jamison Gibson-Park ices a passage of attacking play that began down the field.

A suspected forward pass is cleared by the TMO, much to the disgust of sections of the crowd.

The conversion is successful.

It's the Wallabies leading Ireland 24-19 at the break.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:51pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:51pm

Big match from Bobby V

By Luke Pentony

Valetini playing the house down tonight.

- Dave

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:49pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:49pm

37' Wallabies go close

By Luke Pentony

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made a break inside Ireland's half but was brought down only metres from the line.

The Wallabies, though, turned the ball over, leaving the Irish to breath a collective sigh of relief.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:46pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:46pm

34' Lonergan leaves the field

By Luke Pentony

A bloodied Ryan Lonergan has left the field for medical attention, meaning Tate McDermott is on for the Wallabies at scrum-half.

We'll keep you posted if Lonergan's condition is more serious than it seems.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:45pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:45pm

34' Ireland wastes field position

By Luke Pentony

Ireland seemed to be in ideal attacking position inside the Wallabies' 22.

But a knock-on at the breakdown hands the Wallabies a scrum feed.

It's actually the first scrum of the match after 33 minutes!

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:41pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:41pm

Wallabies on song

By Luke Pentony

Loving the way the Wallabies are playing tonight!

- Joe

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:37pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:37pm

27' Wallabies go back to back!

By Luke Pentony

Ryan Lonergan scores for the Wallabies but credit to Max Jorgensen!

Jorgensen gained possession in contact and made a dart from long range.

He didn't have the legs but Lonergan was looming in support.

Jorgensen got the offload away and Lonergan did the rest!

Carter Gordon converts to put the Wallabies out to a 24-12 lead.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:34pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:34pm

24' Wallabies try!

By Luke Pentony

Josh Canham scores!

The Wallabies lock goes low from a pick-and-go play close to the Irish line.

The try came after the Wallabies made another deep entry inside Ireland's half, building pressure through 11 phases.

Ryan Lonergan came close to scoring but it didn't take long for Canham to get over the line a few phases later.

The conversion went over, with the Wallabies leading 17-12.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:29pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:29pm

19' Ireland responds!

By Luke Pentony

Ireland finds a reply through Josh van der Flier!

Again, Ireland earns field position through a penalty.

They were awarded another penalty close to the Wallabies' line, with van der Flier crashing through for his side's second try.

The conversion attempt was missed, as Ireland leads 12-10.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:25pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:25pm

14' Campbell crosses for Wallabies!

By Luke Pentony

Jock Campbell, welcome back to Test rugby!

The Wallabies fullback goes over down the right flank.

Campbell had some space on the edge after the Wallabies stretched the Irish defence with ball in hand.

It was just reward following another period of sustained attack from the hosts.

The conversion attempt wasn't successful, with the Wallabies leading 10-7.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:21pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:21pm

10' Ireland strikes back!

By Luke Pentony

Ireland goes over with a try to Cian Prendergast!

The visitors were awarded a penalty for a collapsed maul, allowing them to kick for touch deep inside the Wallabies' half.

The Irish won the line-out and got across the stripe when Prendergast dotted down in the following phase play.

The conversion was successful and it's Ireland leading 7-5.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:18pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:18pm

7' Wallabies earn penalty in own half

By Luke Pentony

The Wallabies are rewarded for aggression in defence, earning a penalty at the breakdown after Ireland enjoyed sustained phase play in attack inside the home side's half.

But the Wallabies eventually turn over possession to Ireland.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:14pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:14pm

3' Wallabies score!

By Luke Pentony

Dylan Pietsch scores for the Wallabies!

What a start from the Wallabies, with Pietsch scoring out on the right wing.

He went over untouched after the Wallabies built pressure in attack.

They won a line-out from Ireland's throw, giving them ideal field position.

Carter Gordon missed the conversion attempt, so it's the Wallabies leading 5-0.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:10pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:10pm

Away we go!

By Luke Pentony

And there's the kick-off from Ireland!

Can the Wallabies hit the ground running in the Nations Championship?

Or will Ireland continue its winning streak over the Wallabies?

Let's find out!

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:05pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:05pm

Support for the home side!

By Luke Pentony

Big game for the Wallabies tonight. Very keen to see them take down the Irish. Let’s go Wallabies!

- Ged

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:05pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:05pm

Here come the teams!

By Luke Pentony

We're not far away from kick-off!

Both teams have made their way onto the ground ahead of the pre-match ceremonies.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:01pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 8:01pm

World rankings

By Luke Pentony

What is the Wallabies World Ranking: 5?

- Steve

The Wallabies are eighth on World Rugby's rankings, with Ireland sitting in third place.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 7:56pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 7:56pm

Who's in charge?

By Luke Pentony

The match officials for this evening's Test are as follows:

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England) and Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Television Match Official: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Foul Play Review Officer: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 7:51pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 7:51pm

When they last met

By Luke Pentony

Ireland has bragging rights when it comes to the Lansdowne Cup.

In Dublin last November, Ireland convincingly defeated the Wallabies 46-19.

The Irish have won the past five Tests against the Wallabies, whose last triumph between the two sides came in Brisbane back in 2018, when they saluted 18-9.

Current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt was in charge of Ireland that evening, with the tourists rebounding to win the next two Tests in the series.