Australia 31-33 Ireland - Nations Championship result as Thomas Clarkson scores late try to secure thrilling win for visitors

Ireland started their Nations Championship campaign in style as they edged Australia in a 33-31 thriller in Sydney.

Current Australia boss Joe Schmidt came up against the side he has previously coached, and the young Wallabies started with a bang through winger Dylan Pietsch.

Andy Farrell’s side were up for the challenge and their pack forced a gap for Cian Prendergast to score and Sam Prendergast’s conversion put the visitors ahead.

Both sides traded blows, resulting in Jock Campbell and Josh van der Flier scoring tries at each end.

However, Australia seized momentum in the first half and they were rewarded with Josh Canham and Ryan Lonergan going over.

The Wallabies capitalised on misplaced passes from the Irish and won line-outs, and they should have been out of sight by the half-time break.

However, Ireland were given fresh belief through tries either side of half-time from Jamison Gibson‑Park and Hugo Keenan to complete a dramatic fightback.

Australia remained a threat against an improved Ireland in the second half, and replacement Tate McDermott put the Wallabies back ahead.

However, Ireland grew in momentum as the game wore on and with the clock counting down, Australia’s defence was breached and replacement Thomas Clarkson scored his side’s fifth try, crucially converted by Prendergast in the final few minutes.

Down to 14 men, Australia had one last push to try and mount a comeback, resulting in Ben Donaldson having a 50-metre penalty at the death to win the match, but his effort flew wide.

Ireland continue their Nations Championship campaign against Japan next Saturday, while Australia host France.

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It was a game nobody will forget anytime soon. Ireland fought back in the second half to snatch victory from the hosts.

A try on the stroke of half-time gave Andy Farrell’s side belief and then they matched Australia in the second half and deserved their victory.

The Ireland fans urge their visitors to a famous victory in Sydney. There was drama right until the final whistle as Donaldson missed a chance for a 50-metre kick.

Replacement Clarkson is at the bottom of the Ireland ruck as they threw bodies over the line. Prendergast then sends the conversion over.

The referee warned Australia and Shaw is the man who makes an off-side tackle and is carded.

Phase after phase of Ireland pressure inside the Wallabies 22-metre line. The referee has enough of defensive penalties and warns them that another one will result in a yellow card.

Australia had the opportunity to add some vital points to their tally. However, Donaldson’s effort is caught in the wind and flies just wide.

Australia have survived the spell of Ireland pressure and are now looking to land a killer blow themselves. Ryan gives away a penalty and retaliates out of frustration.

Timoney finds a gap in the Wallabies’ defence and charges through to gain 20 metres of ground. The ball is recycled out to Ryan, but the ball drops through his hands under a tackle.

The Wallabies are desperate to increase their advantage and Jorgensen believed he had space out wide. However, Keenan stood in his path  and was an immovable object to stifle the attack.

After receiving treatment Lonergan makes way.

There is little between the two sides heading into the final 20 minutes. Ireland are much improved in this second half and will believe they can snatch the win.

Ireland are denied a try. A line-out results in a driving maul and around the corner Sheehan is on hand to roll over.

The conversion is again good and Ireland looked to have the lead. However, TMO saw that Ryan had blocked a defender after disconnecting from the runner.

The try is ruled out

Paenga‑Amosa, Slipper and Tupou are all on.

From the Australian scum a quick moment of thinking from the scrum half Gordon. He falls a metre short before McDermott provides the final drive to push him over. Gordon also scores the resulting conversion to regain the lead.

Four replacements for Ireland as the visitors throw on a host of new faces in the pack

Australia looked for an immediate response but were met by a stubborn defence. The visitors concede a penalty but hold out.

Phase after phase of Ireland pressure results in a penalty advantage and the Wallabies being pushed back. From the ruck Gibson‑Park finds the driving run of Keenan to score.

That’s Ireland’s fourth try from five 22 visits. The conversion under the post is slotted over.

McCloskey fooled his tackler with a show-and-go before driving forward and putting Ireland back into the Australian half.

Moments like that will give Ireland renewed optimism in this second half.