A thrilling climax to a wonderful series put the exclamation mark on a stunning season for Irish rugby. Ireland were clinging on for dear life, and had to go through the ordeal of a late TMO referral but a first series win against a southern hemisphere superpower for 39 years is theirs. Just. Johnny Sexton’s nerveless late penalty had secured a four-point lead and the Wallabies came forward in waves, but Ireland held firm. They collectively held their breath with the clock red but when the television match official, Ben Skeen, could see no “clear and obvious” knock-on from Jacob Stockdale the celebrations could begin. A Six Nations grand slam, Leinster’s historic domestic and European double and now this. Make no mistake, it is Ireland who pose the greatest challenge to New Zealand at the World Cup next year. A cagey first half in which both captains – first Australia’s Michael Hooper then Peter O’Mahony of Ireland – went off through injury was followed by a breathless second. Ireland got the cushion they sought with CJ Stander’s 43rd-minute try but back Australia came with a stunning score from Marika Koroibete. Had Bernard Foley’s penalty in the 67th minute not slid… Read full this story
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