Injury-hit Ireland secure madcap comeback victory vs Australia in Sydney

Michael Cantillon

Sports Journalist

Nations Championship - Australia 31-33 Ireland: Andy Farrell's injury-hit visitors secure madcap comeback win vs Wallabies in Sydney

Tries from Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan, Tom Clarkson - final one with three minutes to go - saw Andy Farrell's Ireland steal comeback 33-31 Nations Championship win vs Australia in Sydney; Wallabies led by 12 in first half and until late in second

Last Updated: 04/07/26 1:10pm

Andy Farrell's injury-ravaged Ireland secured a madcap 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney in the opening round of rugby's inaugural Nations Championship.

A topsy-turvy first half saw seven tries shared between the sides, with Australia going in five points ahead after scores from wing Dylan Pietsch, full-back Jock Campbell, lock Josh Canham and scrum-half Ryan Lonergan.

Ireland, who were shorn of 12 players and forced into a change before kick-off as Robert Baloucoune withdrew with a hamstring issue, scored first-half efforts through back-rows Cian Prendergast and Josh van der Flier, and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park. They then led from 12 points behind in the second half following a Hugo Keenan try.

The Wallabies retook the lead after a try from replacement scrum-half Tate McDermott, with Ireland having their next score through Dan Sheehan chalked off for obstruction - referee Ben O'Keeffe declining Ireland the chance to re-attack from a penalty despite the TMO recommending he do so.

Farrell's side came again, though, as they struck with just three minutes to play through prop Thomas Clarkson. The hosts led despite a poor lineout display, and an attack and defence which regularly underperformed through the Test.

Australia replacement fly-half Ben Donaldson had a penalty from over 50 metres to steal victory with the final kick but missed wide.

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What's next?

For Ireland, they remain in Australia for their second Nations Championship Test, as they face Japan at the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday July 11 (11.10am kick-off).

Australia host France for their second Test of the summer, also on Saturday July 11, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (8.40am kick-off).

More to follow...

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