Second half tries from Adam Ashley-Cooper, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles saw the tourists secure a 24-17 win at Thomond Park. Wallaby coach John Muggleton said after the game: "I thought Brett Sheehan had an outstanding, especially under pressure from the big Ireland 'A forwards. David Lyons was particularly impressive and Stephen Hoiles did some excellent things, while Al Campbell led the team around the park very well.
"It was a very encouraging win for us. I thought this team was the first one on this tour to actually play the conditions over here. We can't play the way we play rugby in Australia. We have to be patient and stick to the game plan - we played into the wind in the first half, toughing it out because we knew we could come back and score points in the second half."
Ireland 'A' flanker Keith Gleeson takes on Australian out-half Mark Gerrard during the first half which saw Ireland go 11-0 in front. Two early penalties from Jeremy Staunton were topped off by a debut try for the lively Luke Fitzgerald.
But the Wallabies showed their clinical edge when, with Gleeson in the sin-bin for hands in the ruck, they bagged two late tries through Turinui and Hoiles, with Gerrard having a hand in both.
Australia 'A' centre Scott Staniforth tries to pile through the tackles of Jeremy Staunon and Kieran Lewis. Staniforth, 28, was London Irish's Player of the Year in 2005, scoring seven tries in 24 games. He is currently tied to Super 14 side Western Force - he was their top try scorer in 2006 with nine.
Australia 'A' number 8 David Lyons, who is still only 26, is challenged by Ireland 'A' newcomer Stephen Ferris. Lyons played twice against Ireland in 2003, including the Wallabies' World Cup pool defeat of the Irish in Melbourne. He made his senior debut against Argentina in 2000.
Ireland 'A' prop and captain Simon Best takes on Brett Sheehan in Limerick. The Ulster front rower was making his first international appearance since breaking his ankle against Llanelli last May. The Craigavon-born Best was an unused replacement when the Wallabies visited Lansdowne Road last November.
English referee Rob Debney brandishes a yellow card to Ireland 'A' flanker Keith Gleeson with just 11 minutes to go at Thomond Park. While down to 14 men, Michael Bradley's hosts conceded two converted tries as their first half lead was erased.
Dublin-born but Sydney-raised, the 30-year-old Gleeson was capped by Australia at Under-19 and Under-20 level. He made his Ireland 'A' debut against New Zealand at Ravenhill in 2001.
Jamie Heaslip, who was making his sixth appearance for Ireland 'A' since last February, cannot stop Morgan Turinui from getting over for Australia's second try on 70 minutes. Heaslip, who turns 23 next month, recently captained Leinster for the first time. His 'A' caps have come against France, England (2), the USA, the New Zealand Maori and Australia.
**All photos by Billy Stickland of Inpho Photography**
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