A debut try from Luke Fitzgerald and 12 points from the boot of Jeremy Staunton were not enough for Ireland 'A' to see off an experienced Australia side at Thomond Park on Wednesday.

'A' INTERNATIONAL: Wednesday, November 15

IRELAND 'A' 17 AUSTRALIA 'A' 24, Thomond Park (Att: 6,500)

Scorers: Ireland 'A': Try: Luke Fitzgerald; Pens: Jeremy Staunton 4

Australia 'A': Try: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Morgan Turinui, Stephen Hoiles; Cons: Cameron Shepherd 3; Pen: Shepherd


Ireland 'A' were robbed of a prized win at Thomond Park as late tries from Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles helped the Wallabies erase memories of their recent Swansea slump to the Ospreys.

Two weeks ago John Muggleton's tourists were beaten 24-16 by the Welsh region, but they rose to the occasion in rain-hit Limerick to bounce back from an 11-0 deficit and nick the result with a powerful two-try finish.

Ireland 'A' deserved better than a last minute defeat however. Michael Bradley's men looked like getting at least a deserved draw until flanker Hoiles pounced on a loose ball, after Mark Gerrard's grubber kick had evaded John Kelly's grasp as it rolled over the line, and full-back Cameron Shepherd converted.

But the occasion will have happy memories for Leinster's rising star, Luke Fitzgerald, who gave a superb display at full-back for Ireland 'A'. The 19-year-old scored a debut try and also produced two superb cover tackles which prevented certain tries.

With Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan holding a watching brief, Fitzgerald crowned a great display by bagging Ireland's only try, right on the half-hour mark.

Wasps out-half Jeremy Staunton booted the Irish in front with penalties from distance after 5 and 7 minutes. The second time his shot at goal was brought closer following dissent by Stephen Moore, the Aussie hooker with Irish parents, after the initial award for offside came on halfway.

Ireland's 11-3 interval lead was well deserved and it should have been more as two great try-scoring chances were lost. But the only try was a superb bit of play from the hosts.

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris, who was also making his 'A' international bow, made the initial break. He linked with Barry Murphy who offloaded to Kelly and the speedy Fitzgerald was in the right spot to take the final pass and crash over in the corner.

Staunton's conversion attempt from near the touchline came back off an upright.

Some sleepy Irish defending allowed Australian winger Adam Ashley-Cooper arrow through for a converted try, just seven minutes after the interval.

In reply Staunton landed two more penalties, but they proved to be Ireland's final scores. He clipped over a 54th-minute shot after Aussie lock James Horwill was sin-binned for a high tackle.

His fourth successful kick of the night followed, yet the tourists took full advantage while Leinster flanker Keith Gleeson was in the sin-bin - for hands in the ruck close to the home line.

Persistent pressure was rewarded when Morgan Turinui sped in for a 70th-minute try which Shepherd converted and he was also on target when converting Hoiles' scrambled effort, on 79 minutes, which denied the Irish a draw.

IRELAND 'A': Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster); John Kelly (Cork Constitution/Munster), Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Kieran Lewis (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster); Jeremy Staunton (London Wasps), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps); Ronan McCormack (UCD/Leinster), John Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht), Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) (capt), Matt McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster), Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Keith Gleeson (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster).

Replacements: Brian Blaney (Terenure College/Leinster), Ray Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Cillian Willis (UCD/Leinster), Mark McHugh (Galwegians/Connacht), Gavin Duffy (NEC Harlequins).

AUSTRALIA 'A': Cameron Shepherd; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Morgan Turinui, Scott Staniforth, Drew Mitchell; Mark Gerrard, Brett Sheehan; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Rodney Blake, Al Campbell (capt), James Horwill, Scott Fava, Stephen Hoiles, David Lyons.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nic Henderson, Mitchell Chapman, George Smith, Josh Valentine, Gene Fairbanks, Clyde Rathbone.

Referee: Rob Debney (England)
Touch Judges: Roy Maybank, Bob Mullis (both England)

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