Ireland sign off autumn internationals with 27-24 victory over Australia

Ireland 27 - 24 Australia, Aviva Stadium
Scorecard

Australia's hopes of Grand Slam were dashed after Ireland registered a 27-24 win over them to sign off the year on a high at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Joe Schmidt's men now have completed victories over top three Southern Hemisphere teams in the same year for the first time. This was also Ireland's third victory in the November Tests which started with a historic win over All Blacks.

Fly-half Paddy Jackson scored the first points in the game with a 17th minute penalty following which Australia flanker Dean Mumm was sin-binned for tip tackle on Tadhg Furlong.

Lock Iain Henderson capitalised on Australia being one man down when he scored the first try in the game in the 23rd minute while Jackson's conversion ensured a 10-point lead to the home side.

Centre Garry Ringrose exposed the weakness in Australia's defence when he rumbled past the post in the 33rd minute and Jackson was once again spot on with the conversion.

But Australia bounced back hard with wing Dane Haylett-Petty and centre Tevita Kuridrani scoring tries on either side of half time with Bernard Foley's double conversion bringing down the gap to just three points.

Even though Jackson kicked his second successful penalty to increase lead to six points, Australia through replacement Sefanaia Naivalu's try and a conversion from Foley went past Ireland with a one-point lead.

Any chances of Australia taking further advantage was eliminated when wing Keith Earls scored Ireland's third try in the game.

Foley was sin-binned in the final minute of the game for a dangerous tackle on Devin Toner as Ireland completed a three-point win over the Wallabies.

This was also Rory Best's 100th Test appearance.