Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Australia pushed all the way by Ireland in Melbourne

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Australia pushed all the way by Ireland in Melbourne

The new era of Australian rugby has begun in positive fashion as coach Robbie Deans started his tenure in charge with a hard fought 18-12 victory over Ireland in Melbourne’s Telstra Dome on Saturday.

A 15-7 halftime lead had the Wallabies in control, but Ireland came back strongly and threatened to ruin the party for the home team with some great play by fullback Rob Kearney and loose forwards Jamie Heaslip and Stephen Ferris in particular.

Australia looked rusty, and why wouldn’t they, after assembling only 12 days before the start of their international season, with their coach having joined the squad shortly after masterminding another successful Crusaders Super 14 win.

All credit to the Irish though, who proved they’re no pushovers and through a lack of precision just weren’t good enough on the night.

“To get through that, there was some good defence. It looked tenuous at times but that's the nature of Test rugby: it's never one-way traffic,” said Wallabies coach Deans.

“They will be sore this morning. It's a good feeling when you wake up sore and know you've done the business.

“You have to work hard for a Test win. You never get given a Test victory. It was gutsy stuff.”

Ireland dominated the closing stages, but Australia held firm to keep out the Irish who will feel that this was another one that got away.

All four tries are shown in this clip.

Time: 05:10

C'MON AUSSIE!!!!!!!!!!! i gotta say if this is anything too go by the wallabies will kick arse this season!!!! it was a great game of rugby , bloody phisical and i'll give credit too the irish , they really stood up, o'driscols try went forward on carneys pass though, reminded me of the french one against the all blacks in the world cup! next up the walllabies will smash the frogs!!!!!!!!!!!1

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 1:12 pm
Great highlights. I'd love to see a clip of Lote Tuqiri's tackle in the final minute. Nearly killed the poor Irishman who was on the receiving end of it.

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 1:25 pm
i liked the pint of beer that comes out in the bottom of the screen when a try is scored!

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 1:53 pm
The first 30 minutes was really exceptional stuff from the Wallabies.
I agree with Lachlan, that Tuqiri shot is a must see!

By Hunter, at June 15, 2008 2:13 pm
Well I think we're on the road to 'de-eddifying' Ireland. If you looked at our defense it was a lot more aggressive than before. We were rushing up and putting pressure on them. Again our lineout screwed up, I still can't understand why Flannery can throw near perfect for Munster yet when it comes to Ireland he disappears. Although we lost both tests it is looking slightly more positive than after the world cup and six nations.

Australia have improved a lot, looks like Deans has made a big impact.

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:15 pm
We've had two good chances to topple two of the biggest sides in world rugby in their won back yards and we just wern't good enough. It's an improvement though, so I guess the future looks bright...-er

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:22 pm
kearny playd pretty sick, irsh hav sum gurd young playrs coming thru the ranks, how nice was giteaus lil bita play 2 set up that try btw

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 3:42 pm
man Australia sucks at rugby, Ireland should have taken that match

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 5:14 pm
Ireland should have won.Australia spent only 20 secs in irish 22 with possession but were more clinical I suppose.Still, how were Ireland not awarded a penalty try when Cameron Shepherd killed the ball? There was anothe Irish try (scored by Heaslip) that was ruled out for a 50-50 forward pass so I guess it balances out.The ref let Aussies away with murder at breakdown but pinged Ireland immediately, same as scrum.

Ireland had 70% possession and territory but misfiring lineout, one awful scrum near line,lack of Irish cilinical finishing,Aussie clinical finsihing and a poor ref all contributed to yet another agonising loss that should have been a victory

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 6:16 pm
The ref was a disgrace he let the aussies away with to much during the game. I think he left his cards at home.

The Aussies weren't great but there are only starting but have work to do.
Besides the Ref ireland played well and deserved to win but it looks more promising for when Kidney steps in and cleans up shop

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 6:47 pm
Oh and Kearney was fantastic

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 6:53 pm
Does Any one know the Aussie Line up 1-15 it would be a help cheers

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 7:16 pm
Actually, Cameron Shepherd didn't hold onto the ball over the line. If you slow the play down, you will see that one of the Irish players actually fell over the ball, sealing it off. At full speed it did look like a penalty though.

By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 11:13 pm
Enjoyable match. O'Driscoll had a bit of a shocker which was disappointing - bombing a certain try with a shocking pass.

Kearney was AWESOME. Without a doubt the most threatening person, and such a big unit too.

Both teh Australian debutants had great games too, Burgess and Hynes both played really well.

How about the 2 majestic offloads from the australians? Great to watch.

The interviews at the end fo the match from teh captains were both good, Paul O'Connell seems like a genuine good bloke.

By Unknown, at June 16, 2008 12:42 am
BOD really needs a break from rugby he looks completely exhausted. Kearney was just immense and I was gutted to see Jennings come off but Ferris put in some huge hits.

Australia's defense was exceptional, they really pushed the Irish team back with their tackling.

Any one else think the ref had a howler ? Particularly at the breakdown

By Anonymous, at June 16, 2008 2:09 am
agreed that tuqiris hit on flannery i think it was, was exceptional in the final minute. flannery stayed down for a while!!! well played both teams, enjoyable match!

By Anonymous, at June 16, 2008 10:28 am
Eh i thought offensive messages by anonymous were taken down RD ? Can't have this kind of crap on the boards

By Anonymous, at June 16, 2008 1:42 pm
yes mamm

By Anonymous, at June 16, 2008 1:49 pm
Third Centre, Apologies for that. We do what we can, but understandably cannot read every comment all the time, so miss them at times. Just drop us a simple mail in future if you spot something like that again. Cheers

By GMC, at June 16, 2008 3:21 pm
My apologies. Thank you !

By Anonymous, at June 17, 2008 12:05 am
I agree,thought Kearney was produced some sublime rugby.RD any chance of seeing some of his attacks?

By Unknown, at June 23, 2008 1:46 pm
Cameron Shepherd clearly held onto the ball on his own line.Two Irish players were on their feet trying to rip the ball off him for a full 5 seconds before any support arrived.Even the Aussies admitted that was a yellow card and a penalty try.What ii with these truly crap referees?!?!?!

By Anonymous, at June 25, 2008 5:07 pm
aswell as taqiris tackle i think rob kearneys run is even more of a must see!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 27, 2008 5:20 pm