Dominant Ireland send series to a decider with drought-breaking win
The stage is set for a decider for the ages in Sydney next week after a dominant Ireland bossed the Wallabies 26-21 and broke a 39-year drought on Australian soil at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Saturday.
An early try to Kurtley Beale gave Australian fans hope of a repeat of their Brisbane performance in the second minute and a late try to Taniela Tupou sparked an Australian resurgence at the back end of the game.
The Wallabies outscored Ireland three tries to two. But those moments bookended an authoritative performance from Ireland that starved the Wallabies of possession and utterly stifled their best performers.
This was the Ireland their Six Nations form had promised. Joe Schmidt's selection overhaul paid off, as did their first-Test chastening in Brisbane. They were urgent and clinical at the breakdown, noticably faster than their opening performance on Australian soil, and played with a barely concealed desperation to give a better account of themselves, second time around.
With "the Maestro" Johnny Sexton back in control they largely neutralised Wallabies pilferer David Pocock, shut Israel Folau out of the game and made the Wallabies defend for long periods. Australia did themselves few favours with a poor tactical kicking game - Reece Hodge called on to replace Kurtley Beale in the 63rd minute - and an embarrassing penalty count.
Beale opened the scoring in the second minute, taking a short ball off No.10 Bernard Foley and slicing through the defensive line, past Ireland co-captain Peter O'Mahony, and scoring under the posts. Foley added the points to make it 7-0.
Ireland went on the attack, stringing together phase after phase before Marika Koroibete's dangerous tackle on Kearney earned him a yellow card. The visitors capitalised quickly, launching a maul then spreading it wide to winger Andrew Conway, who was unmarked out on the right flank. Sexton levelled the scores 7-7 with the conversion.
Ireland won a scrum penalty in the 12th minute and Sexton opted for a shot at goal, just inside the 10m line and barely off the posts. Ireland went ahead 10-7.
The Wallabies were rattled, Pocock neutralised at the breakdown and their attack disrupted by Ireland's line speed and improved physicality.
Sexton made it 13-7 when referee Paul Williams penalised Australia for not releasing. Koroibete returned to the field of play but the Wallabies gave away another penalty five minutes later and Sexton made it 16-7.
The whistle finally went the other way in the 25th minute, giving Australia their first real opportunity in attack. Ireland were penalised again and Hooper directed Foley to kick for touch. The Wallabies launched a maul and Ireland loose head Cian Healy was sent to the bin for deliberately collapsing, robbing Ireland of a man and allowing Australia to make it 16-14 with 15 minutes left in the half.
Nick Phipps replaced Will Genia at halfback when the latter was taken off with a wrist injury in the 29th minute. Sexton missed a penalty goal attempt in the 30th minute.
The Wallabies wasted a golden opportunity to make the most of the overlap, Ireland in control down a man. Pocock won a crucial turnover - his first of the match - to relieve pressure on the Australian line and they held off the visitors for the remaining seconds of the half.
Wallabies No.5 Adam Coleman was sent for a head injury assessment in the 43rd minute after colliding with Kearney as the Ireland fullback took a high ball.
Australia were heavily under the pump as Ireland held onto the ball and tested the defence all over the park.
Young gun Ireland winger Keith Earls broke the game open in the 49th minute, taking a short ball just inside half way and belting down field to within striking distance of the try line.
Three phases later prop Jack McGrath thought he'd scored beside the posts, but Williams called a double movement. Ireland doubled down on the bad luck with a disallowed try to Earls minutes later. The replay showed the Munster winger lose control of the ball over the line.
Leinster tighthead Tadhg Furlong finally crashed over in the 55th minute and Sexton made it 23-14 shortly after.
Australia had their opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the match but pressure from Ireland brought them undone time and again. Replacement prop Jack McGrath was shown the third yellow card of the match for a deliberate knock on in the 76th minute.
Tupou scored in the 77th minute and Foley continued a perfect night with the boot to make it 26-21. The Wallabies went on the attack again but it was too late.
Ireland had done more than enough to earn their first win in Australia in nearly four decades and retain second spot in the world rankings, with Australia sitting third.