Read the report from Melbourne...
Final thoughts
That is all, folks. Another fantastic game of rugby between Australia and Ireland, one that had three yellow cards but could arguably have had even more.
Ireland improved greatly on last weekend in Brisbane. Joe Schmidt will be delighted with eight changes he made to the team today, most notably in the front row and Johnny Sexton. They were quick to the breakdown, and limited Michael Cooper and David Pocock to scraps.
For the Wallabies, Michael Cheika has a lot of thinking to do ahead of next weekend in Sydney. His team failed to keep their discipline following an early yellow card to Marika Korobete, and were plagued with handling errors. I doubt we will be seeing another unchanged team from him for next Saturday.
One Test match apiece ahead of the decider in Sydney.
Thank you for keeping in touch wherever you were this morning/afternoon/evening. I hope you enjoyed following the game as much as I did.
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Ireland coach Joe Schmidt on his team leveling the series: “We knuckled down and worked our way into the game. We accumulated points where we didn’t last week. Probably the third quarter was the turning point of the game. We really kept that pressure on.
“We really kept them under pressure. Then, we were just hanging on at the end. We’re just going to glue everyone together and see how we shape up for next week.”
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper: “We had no ball. We had 25% (possession). It’s tough to win a game like that. Ultimately, not good enough. We got turned over quite easily. The Irish did quite well over the ball.”
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Tadgh Furlong on the game: “It was tough. It was probably a bit scrappy in the first half. We had a lot of the ball and a lot of territory but didn’t really convert. I definitely felt our handling error and penalty count was lower than last weekend.”
Well well well. That sets us up perfectly for a deciding Test in Sydney next weekend.
That victory for Ireland was their first test win over Australia in Australia since 16 June, 1979. Exactly 39 years to the day.
The men in green also cling onto second spot in the world rankings with that win.
All to play for next weekend.
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FULL TIME: Australia 21-26 Ireland
The ball is knocked on by the Wallabies and that will be that.
Ireland level the series. They made hard work of that towards the end, much harder than it probably should have been.
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79 min: The Wallabies have the ball in hand. Passing through the backs and using the full width of the pitch to utilise the extra man.
The home faithful inside AAMI Parks are roaring the Wallabies on.
78 min: Australia try: Australia 21-26 Ireland
I may be made to eat my words here.
The numerical advantage has helped the Wallabies and they look threatening for the first time this game.
Taniela Tupou is the man who crosses the line for his first test try to set up a pulsating finale.
Australia trail by five.
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77 min: Folau dances around Ireland defenders for the first time this afternoon and Australia look close to going over.
The Wallabies are metres away.
76 min: Jack McGrath is the guilty party. Yellow card for him and Ireland are made to play the final few minutes with 14 men.
You have to feel sorry for Ireland though. Australia were previously not punished for similar offences.
Deliberate knock-on confirmed. Just waiting to find out who the player was that knocked the ball forward.
77 min: Another knock-on, this time from scrum half Phipps.
Hold on though. Paul Williams is going to the TMO to check for a deliberate knock-on. This could be interesting.
76 min: Ireland fans in fine voice again, urging their side to stay resilient in defence in the final moments of this game.
75 min: Fantastic defence from Ireland, who are right up in the faces of the Wallabies. Folau is not being given an inch today.
74 min: This could be that period of sustained pressure.
They win a penalty five metres out from the Ireland line. They need to get this line-out spot on.
73 min: It will take something very special from the Wallabies now to claw them back into this game.
They have rarely threatened inside the Ireland 22 today and I can’t recall a period of sustained pressure from them.
72 min: They don’t make it count.
The ball goes forward between a pass from Latu to Koroibete.
So many handling errors from the Wallabies today, I’ve lost count.
71 min: The Wallabies casually walk up the field for a line-out close to the Ireland 22-metre line.
They really have to make this count.
69 min: Paul Williams’ patience is beginning to run out with the Wallabies.
Foley tries to intercept an Ireland pass on half-way but knocks the ball on.
Another penalty. You wouldn’t be surprised to see another Wallabies player sent to the bin soon at this rate.
68 min: Australia have a line-out 10 metres out.
Crossing in the line-out. The 14th penalty they have conceded today. Ill-discipline is costing them dear.
66 min: Ireland penalty: Australia 14-26 Ireland
Straight down the middle of the posts for Sexton. Six from seven from him this afternoon.
The Wallabies are letting this game get away from them
65 min: Tadhg Beirne is now on the field for his Ireland debut. The only Scarlets player in the Ireland squad this evening.
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64 min: Beale attempts a kick in his own half aimed for Folau to collect.
The 29-year-old fails to get anywhere near the ball though. A very quiet showing from Folau today.
62 min: Mix-up in the backs for the Wallabies as a pass from Folau hits replacement Pete Samu. Ireland manage to kick the ball away deep inside the Wallabies’ half.
Pocock is on the deck receiving treatment. The Wallabies cannot afford to lose him.
60 min: Into the final quarter now and Australia desperately need points.
Foley kicks to touch and they have a chance to build from a line-out.
59 min: The Wallabies go through eight phases and end up on the Ireland 22 metre line.
O’ Mahony is there again though to win the penalty for Ireland. Anything Pocock can do, O’ Mahony can do too.
55 min: Try Ireland: Australia 14-23 Ireland
Ireland take the ball from the line-out five metres out.
Tadhg Furlong collects the ball and extends his arm to touch down his first try for the men in green.
Sexton is successful with the conversion - he reaches 700 points for Ireland with that kick.
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54 min: NO TRY!
Earls is adjudged to have knocked the ball on as he touches it down and not be in control of the ball.
Foley, who came across to cover Earls, is penalized for offside and Ireland have a penalty.
54 min: Heroic defence from the Wallabies.
Ireland dive over in the corner through Keith Earls.
It has gone to the TMO to check touch then grounding.
53 min: Ireland fans are in fine voice inside AAMI Park, hoping to push their team over the line for a decisive second try.
Just one metre out..
52 min: Ireland scrum, five metres out. Huge moment in the game.
50 min: Unbelievable! Keith Earls dashes towards the Australian line but is tackled eight metres out.
All they have to do is ship the ball wide to the wing, but Jack McGrath goes himself and is penalised for double movement.
49 mins: Izack Rodda steals the line-out though. What a waste from Ireland.
48 min: And that’s their reward. A penalty.
30 metres out from the posts, Sexton kicks to touch in search of a decisive try. They need to make this line-out count.
46 min: Ireland look to be building just inside of the Australia half before hooker Niall Scannell throws the ball to a Wallaby.
Ireland have the ball back though, and are now edging ever closer to the 22 metre line, spreading the ball through the backs’ hands.
45 min: Off the ball tackle by replacement Talu Latu earns Ireland a penalty. Not the first time that has happened today.
44 min: Coleman makes way for Rob Simmons for the Wallabies.
Australia slowly building from their own half with a string of kicks to touch. They now find themselves mid-way inside the Ireland half.
43 min: Ireland are metres from the line and you know who wins a penalty for the Wallabies. David Pocock, again, rescues Australia and keeps them within two points of Ireland.
42 min: O’Mahoney offloads to Henshaw who bursts into the Australia 22.
They have started the second half how the Wallabies started the first half.
SECOND HALF
Australia 14-16 Ireland
Will the second half be as frantic as the first?
Ireland dominated possession and territory in the first half, going through the phases inside the Australia half for large parts of the first 40.
They have dealt with the threats of Pocock and Cooper at the breakdown much better than last weekend.
The yellow card to Koroibete, which at a second glance, may have been worthy of more, rocked Australia.
...And breathe. What a half of rugby that was.
Ireland fully capitalised on Marika Koroibete’s early yellow card, with Johnny Sexton kicking 11 points as the Wallabies struggled.
Australia managed to regain their cool and force a penalty try to stay in the game.
All to play for in the second half.
HALF-TIME: Australia 14-16 Ireland
Thrilling first half ends with Australia knocking on the ball inside their own 22.
Ireland are not happy, but Paul Williams calls time on the first 40.
38 min: Jordan Larmour collects a wayward pass on the wing and makes some decent metres.
Pocock is there again to disrupt the breakdown. It’s what he does best.
Australia have a scrum with 30 seconds until the half-time klaxon.
36 min: No one expected that. Tadhg Furlong, the burly Leinster prop, makes an unexpected break from midfield and carries the ball 20 metres to the Australia 22.
Australia have a 22m drop-out after all of that.
34 min: Australia fail to get numbers to the ruck and Peter O’Mahony rightfully wins Ireland a penalty. Just as the Wallabies were building...
32 min: Kurtley Beale with a lovely hit on Robbie Henshaw that forces a knock-on.
I thought it was lovely , but it’s now going to the TMO for review.
30 min: Crikey. I was ready to type more lines about Sexton’s kicking ability, but he terribly skews the penalty to the left of the posts and Australia can breathe a sigh of relief. For now.
28 min: Another penalty for Ireland.
Caleb Timu is a very lucky boy. His late tackle on James Ryan, who is nowhere near the ball, is punished only by a penalty. Even luckier considering he had already been penalized for a deliberate knock-on.
27 min: Big blow for the Wallabies as Will Genia is replaced through injury by Nick Phipps.
How much will they miss that experience at scrum half?
26 min: Australia try: Australia 14-16 Ireland
Five metres, four, three, two, one. Are they over? They are!
Paul Williams runs to underneath the posts and awards a penalty try. Just what the Wallabies needed.
And there’s more...Cian Healy is sent to the bin after dragging down that rolling maul from the line-out.
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25 min: Another Australia line-out, this time closer to the Ireland line...
24 min: Ireland building phases after a long kick from the right flank almost pays off.
Australia earn a penalty though, and now have a chance to attack from a line-out in the Ireland half. A rare chance for the Wallabies this half.
22 min: Ireland penalty: Australia 7-16 Ireland
Points number 10 and 11 for Sexton. Ireland now lead 16-7.
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21 min: Great defence from Pocock as the Wallabies defence holds firm.
Or not...Caleb Timu puts a hand out and is blown up for a deliberate knock on. Referee Paul Williams bizarrely opts not to play advantage, despite Ireland having numbers on the right wing.
Another chance for three points for that man Sexton.
19 min: Haylett-Petty takes a terrific catch, but referee Paul Williams calls play back for a penalty against David Pocock.
Ireland kick to touch and have a line-out 10 metres inside the Australia half.
17 min: Ireland penalty: Australia 7-13 Ireland
Sexton penalty sails over as Ireland extend their lead to six points.
Koroibete returns to the field and Australia can now breathe a sigh of relief that the 10 minutes with 14 men is over.
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16 min: Goodness me. What a mad two minutes.
Following that kick charge-down, Folau somehow intercepts a lazy Ireland pass, but is caught inside his half.
Michael Hooper is penalized for not rolling away and Ireland have another penalty. They opt for goal.
14 min: Australia are in panic mode.
Kurtley Beale has a kick charged down just 30 metres from his own line. The Wallabies somehow clear the ball to touch, but are desperately lacking experience to weather this storm with 14 men.
13 min: Ireland penalty: Australia 7-10 Ireland
Easy as you like for Sexton, who, on his 75th cap for his nation, comfortably slots the penalty to hand Ireland a three-point lead.
Australia 7-10 Ireland
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12 min: Ireland win the penalty from a scrum.
Joe Schmidt will be delighted with how his new front row have performed so far.
Sexton will go for points in front of the post here.
10 min: The Wallabies are rattled.
They knock on the ball on their own 22 and Ireland have a scrum. AAMI Park is alive with the sound of Irish fans.
STAT CLAXON
That Ireland try was their first against Australia on Australian soil since 2008.
7 min: Ireland try: Australia 7-7 Ireland
That’s how Ireland will respond!
Ireland control the maul following a line-out on the 22.
Munster scrum half Connor Murray is patient with the ball in hand, and waits until the point of contact to throw the ball wide to Andrew Conway, who dives over in the corner.
Sexton nails the conversion. 7-7. What a game.
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7 min: Australia yellow card
An early scrap following a dangerous tackle from Marika Koroibete on Rob Kearney.
TMO Ben Skreen checks and the verdict from Paul Williams is 10 minutes in the bin for the 25-year-old.
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6 min: Ireland building nicely after an even scrum. They are going through the phases and edging ever closer to the Wallabies’ 22.
4 min: How will Ireland respond? Can they react?
They have the first scrum of the game just inside the Australian half.
2 min: AUSTRALIA TRY: Australia 7-0 Ireland
Stunning start for the Wallabies!
Kurtley Beale runs a brilliant line at a full pace after collecting a pass from Bernard Foley. He dives under the posts to open the scoring after just 90 seconds!
Conversion is good and Australia lead 7-0 after two minutes.
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2 min: Ireland make a mess of the catch from the kick-off and Australia have a line-out.
They build from the line-out and are playing through the backs on the edge of the Ireland 22.
First Whistle
Here we go!
Following an interesting rendition of Ireland’s Call, Michael McCormick leads the Australia national anthem with the support of Power House Rugby Club.
I’d say Australia just about edged the anthems contest. Sorry Ireland, good effort.
And the Wallabies...
Accompanied by a young mascot each (which was a task in itself to co-ordinate 23 children with 23 adults), Australia take to the field in search of successive wins against Ireland.
Here come the anthems...
Here come Ireland...
What a reception for the reigning Six Nations champions in Melbourne.
One final group huddle before the players emerge from their dressing rooms.
Just a matter of minutes until we hear the anthems. On that note, with a large Irish contingent inside AAMI Park, the Ireland national anthem could even be louder than the hosts’ Advance Australia Fair this evening.
Don’t forget to have your say on the game. You can tweet me at @OliverTrenchard, just like John has done below.
Let’s hope it’s a cracker, John!
@OliverTrenchard Aus are well up for this their intensity was two notches above Ireland last week but with Mr”Intensity”Sexton back at 10 this week 4 us barking orders & driving us around the park we’ll be at the races right from the off. Too close to call but it’ll b a cracker
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) June 16, 2018
Wallabies win the first battle.
Hoops has won the toss here #AUSvIRL #GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/H4wBr6yK3s
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) June 16, 2018
A patch of rain in Melbourne this afternoon that could make for an intriguing game.
Don’t be surprised to see a few testing box kicks from Johnny Sexton early on.
Meanwhile, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has kept faith in the same 23 players that secured victory in the first test.
It is the first time in four years that Cheika has named the same team for two consecutive tests.
Good. That was much easier than the Ireland team news.
#BREAKING l #Wallabies team to face @IrishRugby in the Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series at @AAMIPark.
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) June 14, 2018
SQUAD: https://t.co/qWBAUFfr0l
TICKETS: https://t.co/Mvz4PozWYp pic.twitter.com/8LUWyx1j7x
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has rung the changes, making a total of eight alterations from last weekend in Brisbane.
After a scrum penalty altered the course of the game in the Wallabies’ favour last weekend, Schmidt changes the whole of the front row, bringing in Niall Scannell, who is supported by Leinster props Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong.
Devin Toner and Dan Leavy come into the side at lock and openside flanker respectively. In the backs, Johnny Sexton starts from no.10 from the first whistle, while there are also starts for Garry Ringrose and Andrew Conway.
Ireland Down Under. Here's your Ireland team to play @qantaswallabies on Saturday.#AUSvIRL #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/RZdSCW2vK1
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 14, 2018
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While we wait for the All Blacks to see out the final 10 minutes of their game against France, let’s take a look at how the two teams line up in Melbourne this evening.
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Today is one of those jam-packed days of Test rugby that barely allows you a moment to catch your breath. Snacks at the ready, because Australia v Ireland is the hearty filling in a Test rugby sandwich between New Zealand v France and South Africa v England.
Please do get in touch on email or via Twitter @OliverTrenchard with your thoughts on the game, predictions and any stand-out stats from the match. Here’s one to start you off:
Ireland last scored a try on Australian soil 10 years ago, when Ronan O’ Gara notched a memorable try. Ireland have since played two tests in Australia and failed to cross the whitewash on each occasion. Incidentally, that game in 2008 was the last time Australia v Ireland was played in Melbourne…
Think you can do better than that? Get in touch!
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Preamble
Rugby time in Melbourne. The city that is dominated by Aussie rules today plays hosts to the larger, oval-shaped sport and the crucial second Test between Australia and Ireland.
Following the Wallabies’ 18-9 victory in Brisbane last weekend, Ireland are staring down the barrel of two consecutive defeats for the first time since 2016 (v South Africa) and will be keen to ensure that the third Test in Sydney next Saturday is not a dead rubber.
There is more than just the series at stake though. Oh yes. A win for Australia could see them leapfrog Ireland in the world rankings, moving into second spot behind the All Blacks. It would also be the first time they have done the double over Ireland in a Test series since June 1999.
A large Ireland contingent is expected inside AAMI Park and predicted to even make up half of the total crowd in Melbourne. So you can forget about home advantage…
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