Ireland have won the Lansdowne Cup with a heart-stopping 20-16 win over Australia in the series-deciding third rugby Test in Sydney.

A record 44,085 fans packed into Allianz Stadium to watch the reigning European champions hold off the Wallabies in a gripping series finale laced with drama and controversy.

The Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika, was visibly furious throughout the match, as the French referee Pascal Gaüzère made a series of bewildering decisions against the home side, allowing Johnny Sexton to ultimately boot the Irish to a famous victory through five penalty goals.

The visitors went into half-time 12-9 ahead before CJ Stander began the second half with the game’s first try. Jonny Sexton’s missed conversion meant that Bernard Foley’s try, ploughing over the line past a covering Sexon, and his resulting conversion brought back Australia to within a point.

Foley then missed a crucial penalty, before Ireland clung on throughout a dramatic end-to-end finale. Sexton’s 78th-minute penalty put his side four points clear and in the final moments, as Australia attacked desperately, Foley’s pass was wayward. Almost immediately the final whistle was sounded, met with jubilant Irish celebrations.

Full match report to follow.