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Battling Ireland claim bonus-point win against Junior Wallabies

Updated / Thursday, 29 Jun 2023 12:36
James Nicholson scores Ireland's first-half try
James Nicholson scores Ireland's first-half try

IRELAND U20s 30-10 AUSTRALIA U20s

Ireland took a huge step towards the semi-finals of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship after an incredibly hard-fought bonus-point win over Australia in South Africa.

After taking three match points from Saturday's draw with England in their opening Pool B game, Ireland realistically needed to win to have a chance at topping the group, which secures a last-four berth.

After a tight first half, it was Ireland’s dominance up front that decided the game, with three second-half tries coming off the back of powerful scrums and solid lineouts to which the Australians simply had no answer.

The game was played in extremely difficult conditions with the over-worked pitch at the Paarl Gymnasium cutting up badly in spots and making the contest a real battle of attrition.

Ireland’s final pool game comes against Fiji, who play England later today, on Tuesday and a win would likely be enough for top place or the best runner-up spot depending on how other results go.

Australia bossed the opening quarter but somehow trailed despite dominating the possession and territory stats.

After Sam Prendergast got turned over on this own 22 the Junior Wallabies worked the phases before Tim Ryan went over the corner, however, the assistant referee deemed the wing had gone into touch.

Jack Bowen declined the three points and a try looked certain before Andrew Osborne picked off the out-half's risky pass on his own line and ran 70 metres.

Australia's scramble defence went offside and Prendergast kicked Ireland ahead.

The southern hemisphere outfit continued on the front foot, forcing a number of penalties and pushing Ireland off a scrum in midfield.

But a couple of poor lineouts scruppered their chances and it wasn’t until the 24th minute, and from a move that started inside their own 22, that they took a deserved lead.

After turning the ball over, the Aussie backs quickly spread it wide and centre David Vaihu cut through a couple of poor tackle attempts before popping to Teddy Wilson, who had Henry O’Donnell in support to run in for the opening try, which Bowen converted.

Prendergast put the restart out on the full and when Brian Gleeson was penalised at the breakdown, Bowen kicked the Aussies, who beat Fiji in their opening game, into a seven-point lead.

Then Paddy McCarthy took over, the prop sparking the Irish team into life.

It was his pick and go that earned crucial yards before being stopped on the line. But the space had been created and Prendergast skipped two players to find James Nicholson on the wing for Ireland’s opening try.

Replacement prop Nick Bloomfield, on for the highly-rated Massimo de Lutiis, went offside with the clock in the red, allowing the Ireland out-half to send Richie Murphy’s team in 11-10 ahead at the break.

Conditions deteriorated further at the start of the second half with heavy rain hampering handling and kicking at a venue that is due to host two more games today.

Prendergast overcooked another punt in midfield before Ryan knocked on with the line at his mercy down the other end.

Second best in the scrum in the first half, Ireland won two penalties at the set-piece in quick succession and found themselves deep in Australian territory with Gleeson powering over for a second try, which was converted by Prendergast.

The game became incredibly scrappy with mistakes on both sides but the Grand Slam champions, who forced their opponents to make 125 tackles to their 74, were able to manage the quagmire better.

Captain Gus McCarthy barged over and despite Wilson appearing to get his arm underneath the ball, New Zealand referee Angus Mabey awarded the score and Ireland led 23-10 with 16 minutes to play.

Ireland pushed for a fourth try and impatience close to the line almost let Australia off.

Rory Telfer, on as a replacement, was yellow-carded for a high tackle late on, while Ruadhan Quinn was removed for a HIA following a head clash with Australia’s Ned Slack-Smith and it looked as if Ireland would have to be content without the bonus-point.

However, replacement Diarmuid Mangan got the vital final score from close range and Jack Oliver’s conversion was the last action of the match.

Ireland U20: Henry McErlean; Andrew Osborne, Hugh Gavin, John Devine, James Nicholson; Sam Prendergast, Fintan Gunne; Paddy McCarthy, Gus McCarthy (capt), Ronan Foxe; Charlie Irvine, Conor O'Tighearnaigh; James McNabney, Ruadhan Quinn, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, George Morris, Fiachna Barrett, Evan O'Connell, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Oliver, Harry West, Rory Telfer.

Australia U20: Mason Gordon; Tim Ryan, Henry O'Donnell, David Vaihu, Darby Lancaster; Jack Bowen, Teddy Wilson (capt); Jack Barrett, Max Craig, Massimo De Lutiis; Jhy Legg, Daniel Maiava-Tapusoa; Lachlan Hooper, Ned Slack-Smith, John Bryant.

Replacements: Liam Bowron, Harrison Usher, Nick Bloomfield, Toby Macpherson, Leafi Heka Talataina, Klayton Thorn, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Taj Annan.

Referee: Angus Mabey (NZ)

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