Farrell won and Ireland beat Australia

Released: 30.11.2024 – 18:38Changed: 30.11.2024 – 18:36

3 min.

The hosts beat the Wallabies three to one and bid a victorious farewell to head coach Andy Farrell before he takes over the British and Irish Lions next year.

It was also a memorable day for Cian Healy, who became Ireland’s highest scorer with 134 when he came on as a substitute in a match to mark the 150th anniversary of Irish rugby.

“It’s a relief but also a pleasure,” Ireland captain Caelan Doris told TNT Sports.

“They are a quality team, coached by Joe Schmidt, and we knew it would be top class.”

The Wallabies took the lead when Joe McCarthy was penalized but avoided a sinful kick and Noah Lolesio kicked the penalty.

The Irish made basic mistakes in management, Australian native Finley Bealham was guilty of two careless blows.

A poor first 20 minutes was somewhat brightened up by a superb try from the Australians.

Sam Prendergast brilliantly saved Andrew Kellaway’s attempt, but the Wallabies retained possession and spread it to the other side where Max Jorgensen was free to touch down.

Lolesio brilliantly converted the game from the sideline – 10:0.

The score seemed to wake up the hosts and they returned to the game when Josh van der Flier crashed for his 13th Test try in the 23rd minute.

Prendergast’s conversion attempt was wild, leaving the Wallabies 10-5 ahead.

The Irish enjoyed their best period of the match from the opening minutes, but James Lowe’s poor pass into touch and then the loss of Australian Tom Wright prevented them from increasing their score.

Error Handling

There were increasing numbers of management errors for the Irish, with Lowe scoring his eighth goal in the first half hour.

This allowed the Wallabies to clear the ball and break through the Irish defence. Robbie Henshaw did very well to touch the ball over his try line ahead of Kellaway.

Prendergast saved the Irish from another try after captain Caelan Doris’ pass was cleared by prop Taniela Tupou.

Tupou showed remarkable speed before Prendergast gratefully saved an over-the-shoulder pass, but he was penalized for not releasing the ball.

Lolesio converted the penalty – 13-5.

Once again Irish sloppiness cost them a lineout – their second half – meters from the line. The Wallabies allowed the visitors to clear their line.

Schmidt spoke at half-time like a happier man to his former student Farrell, who needed some harsh words for his players after a poor performance.

Farrell, Doris added, said that “there was so much more to us. It was our inaccuracy and inability to return to neutral after mistakes.”

The Irish scored the first score of the second period with Prendergast converting a long-range penalty to make it 13-8.

It was a much improved Irish team, Doris making her way under the posts as the clock approached the half hour mark.

Prendergast converted Doris’ eighth Test try to give the hosts a 15–13 lead for the first time in the match.

Lolesio restored the Wallabies’ lead with a penalty in front of the posts and added another just after the hour mark to make it 19-15.

The Irish lost their energy early in the second half and Farrell threw on Munster midfield pair Jack Crowley and Craig Casey with 14 minutes remaining.

A minute later, Healy raised the loudest roar of the game as the 37-year-old became Ireland’s highest-scoring player ahead of the retired Brian O’Driscoll.

Crowley and Casey provided much needed impetus to the Irish attack.

Crawley’s delightful strike put the Irishman into the lineout just short of the Australian line and was completed by substitute hooker Gus McCarthy touching down the pitch.

Crawley converted to give the hosts a 22-19 lead.

The Australians pressed, but a strike from the previously excellent Wright sent Farrell roaring with a mixture of relief and joy in the coaching box.

The Irish held on only to record their fourth successive win over the Wallabies, a feat they last accomplished back in the 1960s.

© 2024 AFP