Half time at Lansdowne

The game started at a ferocious pace, with Ireland spending the opening minutes in the Australian half. The first threatening run from Australia came in the 12th minute, with Wendell Sailor taking the ball up the line. A scrum resulted in a penalty for Ireland.

Minutes later, a crunching tackle on Victor Costello brought a penalty chance for O Gara, which he converted in a convincing style. Ireland 3, Australia 0. Minutes later, O Gara again struck a penalty goal between the posts, bringing the score to 6-0.

After a period of sustained pressure, scrum half George Gregan fumbled the ball on the Australian 10 metre line, a penalty awarded to Ireland. Following this, Ireland nearly took the ball over the line but were awarded a penalty under the posts. O Gara made no mistake and put it over to bring the score to 9-0.

That seemed to wake the Australian team as the surged into the Irish half. Soon after, Stephen Larkham opened the scoring for the Wallabies, with a penalty goal in the 33 minute. However, they suffered another setback when the referee brought the ball forward as a result of “backchat” from some of the Australian players. O Gara again put the ball straight between the posts. Ireland 12, Australia 3. A disenchanted Australian team continued to make mistakes, while Ireland piled on the pressure. The teams go in at half time, Ireland 12, Australia 3. Ireland must come out in the second half and play with the same commitment and fervour against a strong breeze and an Australian side that will have to improve their performance vastly if they are to win today