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22.11.2014 Sports News

Defence and the boot of Johnny Sexton edge Ireland past Australia

By Allsports.com.gh
Defence and the boot of Johnny Sexton edge Ireland past Australia
22.11.2014 LISTEN

Fly-half Sexton again showcased exactly why he has been shortlisted for this year's International Rugby Board (IRB) Player of the Year award, as his calmness under pressure helped the Irish to win a thrilling Test at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Sexton slotted over four penalties as part of a 16-point haul, including the decisive three-pointer just after the hour mark.

In truth, though, Ireland were just as indebted to a fantastic team performance, which included some heroic late backs-to-the-wall defending as they held off a late Australia onslaught.

In fending off the Wallabies, Joe Schmidt's side made it three wins from three from the November internationals campaign - the first time since 2006 they have managed that feat.

Roared on by a passionate home crowd, Ireland surged into a 17-0 lead as tries from Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe inside the first 14 minutes gave them an ideal start.

Sexton initially endured mixed fortunes with the boot, slotting over a penalty to put Ireland ahead before missing a second - but that was far from a sign of things to come.

A superb all-round performance saw the Racing Metro man provide an assist for the opening try after 12 minutes, as his punt to the corner sent Zebo scampering over.

Bowe then collected Nick Phipp's wayward pass and sprinted fully 80 metres to cross two minutes later.

Sexton slotted both conversions to extend the advantage even further.

Australia rallied in superb fashion, though, and coach Michael Cheika will at least have been pleased with their response from that point.

As they hit their stride, Phipps crossed twice either side of a Bernard Foley try, with the latter successfully converting a penalty to finally put Australia 20-17 ahead.

That man Sexton was composed once again, though, to haul the sides level with a kick on the stroke of half-time.

Sexton and Foley traded penalties after the restart before Rob Kearney tried his luck with a huge angled kick that rebounded agonsingly off the posts.

Ireland, though, did go back in front almost immediately as Sexton kept his cool to slot over his fourth three-point kick of the match.

That set up a grandstand finish and, as they sensed a way back, Australia ramped up the pressure, working well through the phases to edge towards the Ireland 22.

In the end, however, they were frustrated by a combination of sloppy handling at crucial moments and resolute defending from the hosts, whose defiance was typified by late injuries to Sexton and Kearney - with Conor Murray forced into a late positional switch as the hosts just held on.

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