Gary Ringrose
Ireland wrapped up an excellent Autumn series with a really hard fought win over Australia. My immediate reaction though after the match was whew! rather than massive elation though. That's because we shipped injuries by the truckload - Joe Schmidt was practically warming up on the sideline himself by the end. We had them on the rack on the first half, they had us on the rack for most of the second... but then we had a second coming, scoring another try, and hanging on grimly until the end. It wasn't good for the heart at all, watching Ireland defend with a wing in the center, a scrum half on the wing, and a flay half at full back.
Mixed in amongst the grind of winning a close match were some sublime moments though.There was Zebo's kick through, Earls superb catch and pass, and Henderson closing out a try. Zebo is such an asset to Ireland. And Ringrose, just absolutely devastating, everyone looking around as he strolled to the line.
Australia for their part still lack something in the pack, but in the backline they are full of threats, lots ofspeed, power and skill.
What a year for Ireland, beating the Springboks and Australia the only team this year to beat the All Blacks, and the first Northern hemisphere side since England in 2003 to beat all three in one year.
England did really well to beat Argentina with only 14 men, while Wales accounted all too easily for a desperately poor Springbok side. France lost but played some magnificent rugby, and five points behind the All Blacks is not too shabby
International Match
Italy 17 19 Tonga FT
England 27 14 Argentina FT
Scotland 43 16 Georgia FT
Romania 36 10 Uruguay FT
Ireland 27 24 Australia FT
Wales 27 13 South Africa FT
France 19 24 New Zealand
