Ireland 13-10 Australia: Johnny Sexton-less hosts edge out the Wallabies courtesy of late Ross Byrne penalty

Ross Byrne celebrates his game-winning penalty for Ireland against Australia

Ross Byrne landed a dramatic late penalty as Ireland overcame the loss of captain Johnny Sexton to cap a stellar year with a nervy 13-10 win over Australia.

Replacement fly-half Byrne nailed a difficult kick from wide on the right with just three minutes remaining in Dublin to earn Ireland a record-equalling 12th successive home victory.

Andy Farrell's men struggled for large parts of a disappointing contest and could easily have ended 2022 with a serious reality check against opponents beaten by Italy just last weekend.

Ireland centre Bundee Aki marked his return from an eight-game ban with the opening try but the game remained in the balance in the closing stages after Jordan Petaia crossed for the Wallabies.

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Jack Crowley, who made his Test debut last week, was successful with both of his goal kicks. He was replaced with eight minutes to go, and Byrne demonstrated nerves of steel when he stepped up and slotted the match-winning penalty.

The Wallabies still had chances to win the game in the final moments. They put a kickable penalty into the corner for a lineout, but the maul was penalised when backs joined from the side. Then in the last seconds, they stole an Irish throw-in inside the 22 only for a dropped pass to hand Ireland the victory.

A difficult evening for the Irish began with talisman Sexton withdrawing through injury, with his deputy Jack Crowley booting five points on his maiden Test start before Byrne, who was elevated to the bench at the 11th hour, proving to be the match-winner.

Victory for Ireland sees them become the first nation to defeat New Zealand, South Africa and the Wallabies in a calendar year since they last managed to in 2016.

Before that, Sir Clive Woodward's England were the last to manage the feat in 2002 and 2003, going on to lift the World Cup in the latter year after achieving the feat. That remains the ultimate goal for Farrell's side looking ahead to next year's showpiece tournament in France.

Bundee Aki scored a try on his return to the Ireland Test side after an eight-game ban

Ireland defended doggedly in the face of incessant Australia pressure for large parts of the opening period, including at one stage repelling 21 phases, but offered little from an attacking perspective.

The Wallabies thought they had scored a fourth-minute try, only for scrum-half Nic White's effort to be disallowed on review due to Dave Porecki's neck roll on Josh Van Der Flier.

A poor - and, at times, tetchy - Test match was in desperate need of a spark. Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park looked to have provided it seven minutes after the restart but his score was subsequently chalked off as Canberra-born team-mate Mack Hansen had gone into touch just before a fine offload.

Jordan Petaia scored Australia's second-half try that briefly tied the game at 10-10

Australia had briefly been reduced to 13 men at that point due to the temporary absence of Folau Fainga'a, who was sin-binned in the 37th minute after high tackle on Van der Flier.

The visitors came through a crucial period in the contest unscathed and were level in the 56th thanks to Foley finding his range with his second penalty.

Ireland eventually made a significant dent on the scoreboard 10 minutes later when replacement Aki came back with a bang by bulldozing over at the end of relentless pressure.

Jordan Petaia scored Australia's second-half try that briefly tied the game at 10-10

The joy was swiftly cut short as Wallabies substitute Petaia broke clear to cross wide on the right, with Foley landing the tricky conversion. But Byrne would ultimately have the final say with his nerveless kick in the closing minutes.

Farrell: Ireland found a way | 'Delighted' for Byrne

Ireland coach Andy Farrell admits Ireland have "a lot to do" ahead of next year's World Cup after ending a stellar 2022 with their win over Australia.

"It was never in doubt," joked Farrell after the game. "We can pull it apart and we will do and we will learn from all sorts of aspects of the game. But the bigger picture stuff for me is there's two things that went on there.

"Australia made it an absolute dogfight and fair play to them, they were courageous in how they went about their game. It was abrasive to say the least, certainly at the breakdown.

"But for us to back up a few ill-disciplined bits and a few errors technically, tactically and still find a way is a hallmark of a good side.

"That's what all good sides do, you always find a way in the heat of the battle and we're delighted in that regard."

As for the match-winner, Bryne, Farrell said: "It's awesome for him. I was absolutely delighted.

"You know Ross' temperament, it's made for him that type of situation where it's deadlocked.

"It was a tough enough kick when the penalty came but there was no doubt in Ross' mind that he was ever going to do anything but go for the three points, so fair play to him.

"He's waited for that chance and he delivered it and got us over the line."

What's next?

Andy Farrell's Ireland have now completed their autumn international schedule for 2022, having picked up three wins from three against South Africa, Fiji and Australia. They are next in action at the 2023 Six Nations, where they start against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, February 4.

For Australia, Dave Rennie and co next travel to face Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, November 26 (3.15pm GMT kick off), for the last of their five fixtures this autumn.