Wallabies end losing run

Australia claimed their first win in eight matches as they defeated Ireland 30-14.

International Match, Saturday November 19, KO 14.30

A brace of tries from winger Drew Mitchell helped Australia claim their first win in eight matches as they beat Ireland 30-14 at Lansdowne Road.

Defeat at Twickenham against England last week heaped more pressure on coach Eddie Jones and left the Wallabies in their worst run of results in nearly 40 years.

But an Irish side badly missing their injured captain Brian O'Driscoll proved perfect opponents for the men Down Under as they broke their barren run of results with a determined performance in Dublin.

With both sides lacking in confidence and desperately in need of a positive result it was no surprise that the game proved to be anything but a classic.

The early exchanges set the tone for the contest as each side's cautious approach with the ball led to scrappy periods of play and plenty of turnover of possession.

A concerted spell of pressure resulted in Ireland breaking the deadlock, although they were forced to settle for only three points when a try looked certain.

Ronan O'Gara slotted over a simple penalty from close range after the hosts had turned down the chance of an earlier kick at the posts, as they opted to kick for field position instead in an attempt to dominate the visitors in the line out.

However, their hopes of powering forward behind their pack received a devastating blow just after Australia had levelled the scores through a Mat Rogers penalty.

A heavy hit on Malcolm O'Kelly left the lock in need of lengthy treatment before he was stretchered off the field with his neck in a brace.

The break in play, coupled with the loss of such a key player, certainly stopped Ireland in their tracks just as they appeared to be getting a grip on proceedings.

O'Gara missed the penalty attempt when play did re-start, although he did manage to convert a third opportunity after an Australian's words to referee Tappe Henning put the fly-half in range of the posts.

An errant pass from Geordan Murphy cost Ireland a chance to score the opening try soon after as the full back failed to find Tom Bowe with the line at the winger's mercy.

That missed opportunity was to prove costly for the hosts as the Wallabies, who were lucky to trail by just three at the break, burst into life in the second half.

Rogers' second penalty made it 6-6 straight after the interval and the away team moved in front for the first time when Mitchell grabbed his first try of the game.

With some help from the pack, the winger managed to reach out and plant the ball over the line and Rogers' conversion suddenly gave Australia a comfortable cushion.

A penalty from substitute David Humphreys just before the hour mark threatened an Irish comeback, only for a moment of magic from Chris Latham to put Australia in the clear.

The full back surged through a gap in the defence before beautifully dummying his way past opposite number Murphy to cross under the posts and leave Rogers with an easy kick.

Not even the sin-binning of George Smith for tripping could halt the suddenly resurgent Australians, with a breakaway score from Mitchell making sure they would be victorious as he left the Irish players trailing with a galloping run from inside his own 22.

Shane Horgan grabbed a late consolation try in the right corner for Ireland, but Rogers slotted over his third penalty with the final kick of the game to cap a fine personal display and give Australia the last word.