Australia begin series against Ireland with 18-9 win over Ireland in first Test

Australia 18-9 Ireland, Suncorp Stadium
Scorecard

Bernard Foley contributed with 13 points as Australia controlled the final 10 minutes to win the first Test against Ireland at Suncorp Stadium with an 18-9 margin.

The win for Australia has ended Ireland's 11-game winning streak as they take a 1-0 lead in the three-game series that will have remaining fixtures played in Melbourne and Sydney on 16th and 23rd June respectively.

Foley kicked a third-minute penalty goal to begin the proceedings in the third minute after Bundee Aki was charged for an offside but 10 minutes later the visitors levelled the scores with Joey Carbery responded with a three-pointer of his own.

Ireland looked to step up the accelerator but were kept scoreless by a stern defence led by Michael Hooper and David Pocock. A second penalty kick in the 25th minute put Ireland in front for the first time in the game. Ireland found momentum at the end of the first half as Will Genia's flat pass found Foley, who dotted down in the 34th minute for an unconverted try.

The scoreline remained at 8-6 at the end of the first half and Ireland had a chance to seize the lead but CJ Stander was held up just before the try line. Australia felt the rub of the heat when Kurtley Beale scrapped past three defenders to feed Foley, who sent Israel Folau over the line but the Wallabies was denied the try as Adam Coleman was charged for a tackle off the ball.

However, Foley penalty goal in the 70th minute provided some relief to the home side and two minutes later Pocock touched down to take the game away from Joe Schmidt's men. Foley also added the conversion as Australia completed an 18-9 victory.