A last gasp penalty miss from Australian substitute Ben Donaldson seen Ireland escape with an opening round victory.
Dylan Pietsch crossed for the game’s opening try after four minutes giving the Wallabies an early lead in Sydney.
Ireland responded with a Cian Prendergast try five minutes later. However, Australia retook the lead when Jock Campbell crossed over with the Irish defence was coming under pressure early on.
Josh Van Der Flier responded for the visitors after 19 minutes, as Ireland went back in front, 12–10.
Australia were in again following a Rob Valetini break. Josh Canham on hand to go over for the hosts. Ryan Lonergan had Australia’s fourth try soon after when Sam Prendergast had his pass picked off.
Australia looked set to take a double score lead into break 24–12. However, Jameson Gibson Park received a Jack Conan offload, touching down leaving just five between the sides at the break.
Ireland took the lead after 45 minutes. Hugo Keenan timed his run to perfection, gathering a Gary Ringrose pass as Ireland went ahead following the conversion, 26-24.
Tate McDermott put the hosts back in front after 51 minutes with a tap and go from inside the Irish 22. That followed a free-kick awarded against the visitors scrum for an early engagement.
Ireland thought they had retaken the lead on 55 minutes but Dan Sheehan saw his try overturned by the TMO for an obstruction caused by James Ryan in the build-up.
Andy Farrell emptied his bench and it was the replacement Thomas Clarkson who crossed for what proved to be the all-important score.
Ireland fightback late on
77 minutes were on the clock as Clarkson crossed the whitewash. Sam Prendergast converted giving Ireland a two point advantage.
However, there was time for one more twist as Bundee Aki seen a penalty awarded against him.
The subsequent penalty effort from Ben Donaldson floated to the right and wide much to the relief of the large Irish support in the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Ireland getting their campaign up and running with a two point win ahead of next weekend’s meeting with Japan down under.
