QANTAS WALLABIES TAKE DOWN IRELAND IN MITSUBISHI ESTATE IRELAND SERIES OPENER

Jun 10 • General News, International • 1541 Views • Comments Off on QANTAS WALLABIES TAKE DOWN IRELAND IN MITSUBISHI ESTATE IRELAND SERIES OPENER

Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series
Qantas Wallabies v Ireland
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 9 June 2018

Australia 18 (Bernard Foley, David Pocock tries; Bernard Foley con; 2 pens) defeated Ireland 9 (Joey Carbery 3 pens)

Match Summary:
The Qantas Wallabies defeated Ireland 18-9 in an enthralling opening Test of the Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night. In front of 46, 273 fans in Brisbane, the Qantas Wallabies scored two tries and held the visitors try-less in a fierce contest. It was Ireland’s first defeat in 13 Test matches and Wallabies flanker David Pocock was immense in his return to International Rugby, commanding the breakdown and scoring the match-winning try inside the final eight minutes of the contest.

Australia was the first to score in the match, through a Bernard Foley penalty goal after three minutes. Ireland flyhalf, Joey Carbery struck back 10 minutes later to level the scores and gave Ireland the lead in the 26^th minute with his second penalty strike. The Wallabies eventually cracked the Irish defence when Foley dived over in the corner after a strong carry from Samu Kerevi to set up an 8-6 advantage at the break.

Ireland had a chance to hit back early in the second half but a desperate tackle from Wallabies wingers Dane Haylett-Petty and Marika Koroibete prevented CJ Stander from grounding the ball. Carbery wrested the lead back for Ireland with another penalty in the 55^th minute, then the Wallabies were denied a go-ahead try when an Israel Folau try was overturned after Adam Coleman was found to have taken a player out without the ball. Just over ten minutes later, Wallabies Captain Michael Hooper gambled with a quick tap after being awarded a penalty close to the line and Pocock crashed over from close range to cap a powerful display.

As it happened:
3 mins: Bernard Foley pen AUS 3-0 IRE
14 mins: Joey Carbery pen AUS 3-3 IRE
26 mins: Joey Carbery pen AUS 3-6 IRE
34 mins: Bernard Foley try AUS 8-6 IRE
56 mins: Joey Carbery pen AUS 8-9 IRE
69 mins: Bernard Foley pen AUS 11-9 IRE
72 mins: David Pocock try, Bernard Foley con AUS 18-9 IRE

Qantas Wallabies
15. Israel Folau, 14. Dane Haylett-Petty (23. Reece Hodge 62 mins), 13. Samu Kerevi, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Will Genia (22. Nick Phipps 73 mins), 8. Caleb Timu (21. Peter Samu 49 mins (blood), 63 mins) 7. Michael Hooper ©, 6. David Pocock (20. Lukhan Tui 72 mins), 5. Adam Coleman, 4. Izack Rodda (19. Rob Simmons 55 mins), 3. Sekope Kepu (18. Taniela Tupou 55 mins), 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (16. Tolu Latu 55 mins), 1. Scott Sio (17. Tom Robertson 63 mins)
*replacements in brackets

Ireland
15. Rob Kearney, 14. Keith Earls (23 Jordan Larmour 25 mins), 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Joey Carbery (22. Jonathan Sexton 56 mins) 9. Connor Murray (21. Kieran Marmion 77 mins) 8. CJ Stander (20. Jack Conan 56 mins), 7. Jordi Murphy, 6. Peter O’Mahoney ©, 5. James Ryan, 4. Iain Henderson, 3. John Ryan (18. Tadgh Furlong 48 mins), 2. Rob Herring (16. Sean Cronin 56 mins), 1. Jack McGrath (17. Cian Healy 48 mins)

Match Notes:
Brandon Paenga-Amosa Test debut (Wallaby #918)
Caleb Timu Test debut (Wallaby #919)
Peter Samu Test debut (Wallaby #920)
First Test of a three-Test series for the Lansdowne Cup
12^th time that Australia has held Ireland tryless in a Test match
11^th straight victory for Australia over Ireland on Australian soil
The defeat ended a run of 12 consecutive Test wins for Ireland