Ireland edged past Australia in a turgid contest on Saturday night to complete a clean sweep of Autumn Nations Series wins.
Ross Byrne came off the bench to kick a late pressure penalty and clinch a 13-10 victory, with fellow replacement Bundee Aki having scored the only try earlier in the second half.
Here is how we rated the players.
Hugo Keenan - 6
Snuffed out Bernard Foley's dangerous kick midway through the first half and kicked well, which included one excellent touch-finder. Few opportunities to shine in attack.
Mack Hansen - 7
Kept plugging away in attack and was a foot away from putting Jamison Gibson-Park over for a try. Great duel with Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Garry Ringrose - 7
Shot out of the line to shut down Australian attacks and popped up with some big moments on both sides of the ball, including a lovely catch and offload.
Stuart McCloskey - 6
Got through plenty of work but was well marshalled by the Wallabies defence, which prevented him from utilising his offloading skills.
Jimmy O'Brien - 5
Playing his third different position in as many weeks and struggled in a faltering Irish attack. Again proved a useful kicking option.
Jack Crowley - 6
A late inclusion after Johnny Sexton’s withdrawal. Took the ball to the line early on and nailed a three-pointer but wasn’t given the platform to showcase his attacking talents.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 6
The stop-start contest didn’t play to the scrum-half's strengths. Went close to scoring the opening try and kicked well under pressure.
Andrew Porter - 6
Plenty of big hits and niggle from the loosehead, who got under the Wallabies’ skin.
Dan Sheehan - 6
Looked set for another maul try only to be denied in the corner by some last-ditch defending. Got through 11 tackles and six carries but there were some lineout wobbles.
Tadhg Furlong - 7
Made 15 tackles in a strong defensive display, which included a big clearing kick downfield. Didn’t see as much ball as usual in attack but still produced some nice moments.
Tadhg Beirne - 6
Worked hard in defence as Australia dominated the second quarter, making 18 tackles. Struggled to impose himself at the breakdown and conceded a couple of daft penalties.
James Ryan - 7
Stood tall at lineout time and made another crucial intervention in front of his own tryline. Another player who stood tall defensively.
Peter O'Mahony - 5
The stand-in skipper didn’t make the impact he would have liked. Won a first-half turnover and combined with Sheehan to make a vital tackle on Jordan Pataia.
Josh van der Flier - 8
Made a lung-busting 26 tackles and consistently chopped Australia down when they threatened during the first half.
Caelan Doris - 8
Ireland’s biggest weapon in attack. Made a team-leading 81 metres off 14 carries and ran over Bernard Foley in the lead-up to Bundee Aki’s try.
Replacements
Rob Herring (for Sheehan 72) - 6
Helped Ireland close out victory.
Cian Healy (for Porter 72) - 6
Made a couple of tackles as Ireland invited late pressure on themselves.
Finlay Bealham (for Furlong 63) - 6
Put under pressure at scrum time but played his part in a late defensive effort.
Joe McCarthy - 5
False start during the first half when he was brought on for a bloodied Ryan, only to be sent immediately back to the bench. Got his chance in the second half but was twice penalised at the breakdown.
Jack Conan (for O’Mahony 60) - 6
Won two lineouts and popped up with some strong carries.
Craig Casey (for Gibson-Park 63) - 6
Injected some pace into Ireland’s attack and put Bundee Aki over for their only try.
Ross Byrne (for Crowley 72) - 7
Nerves of steel to nail a late pressure penalty on his first Ireland appearance since the 2021 Six Nations.
Bundee Aki (for McCloskey 54) - 7
Back with a bang after his seven-week suspension. Bashed through the Wallabies defence to touch down.
