Nations Championship - Australia 31-33 Ireland: Andy Farrell's injury-hit visitors secure madcap comeback win vs Wallabies in Sydney

04.07.2026, 15:38 skysports.com

Andy Farrell's injury-ravaged Ireland secured a madcap 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney in the opening round of rugby's inaugural Nations Championship.

A topsy-turvy first half saw seven tries shared between the sides, with Australia going in five points ahead after scores from wing Dylan Pietsch, full-back Jock Campbell, lock Josh Canham and scrum-half Ryan Lonergan.

Ireland, who were shorn of 12 players and forced into a change before kick-off as Robert Baloucoune withdrew with a hamstring issue, scored first-half efforts through back-rows Cian Prendergast and Josh van der Flier, and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park. They then led from 12 points behind in the second half following a Hugo Keenan try.

The Wallabies retook the lead after a try from replacement scrum-half Tate McDermott, with Ireland having their next score through Dan Sheehan chalked off for obstruction - referee Ben O'Keeffe declining Ireland the chance to re-attack from a penalty despite the TMO recommending he do so.

Farrell's side came again, though, as they struck with just three minutes to play through prop Thomas Clarkson. The hosts led despite a poor lineout display, and an attack and defence which regularly underperformed through the Test.

Australia replacement fly-half Ben Donaldson had a penalty from over 50 metres to steal victory with the final kick but missed wide.

For Ireland, they remain in Australia for their second Nations Championship Test, as they face Japan at the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday July 11 (11.10am kick-off).

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Australia host France for their second Test of the summer, also on Saturday July 11, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (8.40am kick-off).

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