RUGBY
Perfect end to perfect season
By Daire Walsh
AN already stellar 2018 for Irish rugby was further enhanced at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday – when Joe Schmidt’s squad claimed a precious series victory by defeating Australia for the second weekend in succession.
The reputation of this squad continues to grow, and after the uncertainty that followed their opening test reversal to the Wallabies two weeks earlier, they produced the goods to eventually claim the Lansdowne Cup at the end of a typically gruelling affair.
As has been the norm throughout their Tour Down Under, Schmidt opted to make a host of changes for Ireland’s final game of the current season. In addition to Jacob Stockdale’s return at the expense of Andrew Conway, inside centre Bundee Aki was re-instated in place of the injured Garry Ringrose.
Following an impressive impact off the bench seven days beforehand, Jack McGrath deputised for Cian Healy in the front-row.
He was expected to be joined by provincial compatriot Sean Cronin, until a late knock for the Limerick man opened the door for Niall Scannell to pick up his ninth international cap. By switching the versatile CJ Stander to blindside flanker (Peter O’Mahony assumed an unfamiliar role on the openside), Leinster’s Jack Conan was given a chance to impress at the base of the scrum.
While Athy’s Joey Carbery dropped out of the matchday squad to make way for Ross Byrne, Eadestown man Tadhg Beirne was once again included amongst the replacements.
The opening period largely proved to be a battle of wits between Sexton and his opposite number Bernard Foley – a man with strong ancestral roots in Cork. After Ireland’s vice-captain had broken the deadlock courtesy of a ninth-minute penalty, Foley was also successful off the kicking tee at the opposite end.
Indeed, Ireland suffered a double blow on 22 minutes. In addition to falling behind to Foley’s second penalty of the contest, Stockdale was sent to the sin-bin during a crucial juncture in the play.
The visitors responded impressively in his absence, though, as Sexton stepped forward to restore parity on the half-hour mark. Australia also lost Israel Folau to a yellow-card (for a high tackle that ended O’Mahony’s game), and Ireland used their numerical advantage to secure another penalty within reach of the posts.
The ever-reliable Sexton split the uprights once more, before trading three-pointers with Foley to provide Ireland with a 12-9 interval buffer. A maul try from Stander offered breathing space to Ireland on the resumption, before Marika Koroibete’s converted effort fired the Wallabies back into contention.
With momentum on their side, Foley spurned a golden opportunity to edge Australia back into the ascendancy. This was the motivation Ireland needed to push on for a 13th Test triumph over their opponents.
Bolstered by the presence of Beirne in the back-row, Ireland secured a close-range penalty. Sexton shook off a previous knock to comfortably convert his fifth place-kick, completing an outstanding campaign for both himself and his extended band of brothers.