Ireland player ratings vs Australia: Nations Championship

Saturday, 04 July 2026 at 13:06

byTom Sansom

Ireland player ratings vs Australia: Andy Farrell's men started their Nations Championship campaign with a narrow win against the Wallabies.

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Ireland prevailed 33-31 in Sydney, sealing an incredible Nations Championship opening-round win over Australia. A 77th-minute try from Thomas Clarkson laid the foundations for victory before Sam Prendergast slotted the crucial conversion.

Ben Donaldson had the chance to win the match for the Wallabies, but the replacement fly-half sent his 83rd-minute penalty wide from 53 metres.

It took just three minutes for Australia to score, with seven tries following in a frantic first half. Dylan Pietsch raced free for an early try in the corner before Cian Prendergast responded seven minutes later with a close-range drive.

Jock Campbell marked his Wallabies return after four years with a try before Josh van der Flier finished a neat penalty move. Australia grabbed their third through Josh Canham after a thunderous Rob Valetini carry split the defence.

Sam Prendergast’s misplaced pass was then picked off by Max Jorgensen, whose offload sent Ryan Lonergan over for a bonus-point try. Ireland grabbed their third before half-time as Jamison Gibson-Park raced under the posts, despite a possible forward pass from Jack Conan.

Ireland struck seven minutes after the break as Hugo Keenan exploded onto Garry Ringrose’s pop pass to finish. Tate McDermott responded for the Wallabies, with a quick tap-and-go catching Ireland off guard following a scrum penalty.

However, Ireland had the final say as replacement prop Clarkson muscled his way over before Prendergast nailed the conversion to edge his side ahead.

Australia: 31

Tries: Pietsch (3'), Campbell (14'), Canham (24'), Lonergan (27'), McDermott (53')
Cons: Gordon (25', 28', 54')

Ireland: 33

Tries: C Prendergast (9'), van der Flier (19'), Gibson-Park (40'), Keenan (47')
Cons: S Prendergast (10', 40', 48',77')

Ireland player ratings vs Australia:

IRELAND PLAYER RATINGS vs AUSTRALIA

15. Hugo Keenan — 9

Try-saving tackle on Lonergan after 22 minutes, with the half-back destined for the try-line. Keenan was then ripped by Max Jorgensen midway through the first half, before Ryan Lonergan grabbed the bonus-point try after less than half an hour. Made an incredible covering tackle on Joseph Sua'ali'i to deny the Waratahs man a stunning solo try late in the first half. Exploded onto Garry Ringrose's pass for a nice try early in the second half. Thumped Max Jorgensen into touch with a textbook tackle from the in-form full-back.

14. Jimmy O'Brien — 6.5

A late addition to the starting XV, as the Leinster man replaced the injured Robert Baloucoune on the right wing. The versatile back was slow to get going, with the Australian outside backs winning the early aerial battles and skipping free through contact. Rallied in the second half, yet it was not the eye-catching effort he would have hoped to produce when given his opportunity.

13. Garry Ringrose — 6 (OFF 63)

A slight fumble disrupted an 18th-minute attack as Ireland's fast-flowing momentum was halted. No doubt in the Wallabies' minds that the Ireland wrecking ball required plenty of pressure, with Ringrose barely able to move into first gear on the front foot due to the line speed. Missed his tackle on Joseph Sua'ali'i, yet was saved by Hugo Keenan's heroic defence. Not his finest effort defensively, with Valentini breaking past him early in the second half as well. Stepped up in attack, with a neat assist for Keenan's second-half score.

12. Stuart McCloskey — 7

Solid defensive work rate with good tracking tackles on his opposite midfielders. Showcased his customary 'never-say-die' back-tracking to chase down Max Jorgensen, akin to his epic chase-back tackle on Marcus Smith at Twickenham. However, the offload to Ryan Lonergan meant his efforts were in vain. Carried the ball very well in a breathless match against the high-flying Wallabies and handed out some neat offloads to keep the ball alive. The 120kg Ulster centre was very tough to stop at full flight, with a 44th-minute carry showcasing his pace.

11. Jamie Osborne — 6.5

A slow start from the Leinster man, who could not keep out Dylan Pietsch for the opening Wallabies score. The wing ended his URC season in fine form with league champions Leinster, yet struggled in the first half in Sydney. With James Lowe now ineligible for Ireland, all eyes were on Osborne to impress in the 11 jersey, with some neat touchline kicks finding territory in the same way the top-knotted flyer used to do. Improved throughout the second half, with some clattering tackles showcasing his underrated defence.

10. Sam Prendergast — 7

No hesitation to go to the boot in the early going, as the likes of Len Ikitau laid heavy hits on the out-half. Confidently sent penalties to touch and established structure amid the early yo-yo try-scoring. Sent a poor pass to Hugo Keenan that was picked off by Jorgensen for the counter-attacking score from Lonergan. Flattened in contact by the powerhouse Rob Valentini, which made for an eye-wincing replay. Commanded his back line to keep order amid the chaos, yet only had so much success in the Sydney frenzy. A long afternoon for the out-half, yet the Leinster man held his nerve for the match-winning conversion.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park — 7.5

Swift hands kept the ball alive at a quick tempo. However, Australia were able to read the one-dimensional attack in the early going. Kicked Ireland into a higher gear by putting boot to ball for some stunning box kicks. Capped off an incredible Ireland attacking move with a try to close out the all-action first half, as he raced under the posts for the 40th-minute score. The scrum-half thrived in the chaos, with sniping runs and a frantic rate of distribution meeting fire with fire.

1. Tom O'Toole — 7 (OFF 51, ON 59)

The versatile prop lined up against his former Ulster front-row teammate Angus Bell, with the provincial tight-head moved back over to loose-head in green. O'Toole was impressive around the park, as there was little respite for the forward pack in the Super Rugby-esque clash in Sydney. Called upon for double duty as Jeremy Loughman suffered a nasty blow to the head from Rob Valentini's knee, yet could not single-handedly halt the surging gold scrum that clicked into its revered top gear. The arduous effort was rewarded with an exhausting win.

2. Dan Sheehan — 6.5 (capt) (OFF 61)

An early lineout mishap laid the foundations for Australia's opening try in an uncharacteristic error. Ran the simple and effective tap-and-go move to play Josh van der Flier in for a close-range finish. Missed his tackle on Rob Valentini as the number eight broke free in the lead-up to Australia's third try. The captain made amends for a slower start with an 'I'll-do-it-myself' try midway through the second half, as he started and finished a lineout move for a well-composed score. However, the try was cancelled out due to an obstruction from James Ryan. Perhaps withdrawn too early by Andy Farrell.

3. Tadhg Furlong — 7.5 (OFF 51)

The veteran tight-head ran out with a full head of steam and was quick to make his tackles, with a tireless work rate around the park. The prop showcased his versatile bag of tricks as he threw a couple of sidesteps to wrong-foot the contact-expectant Wallabies defenders and also shipped a lovely out-the-back offload in the lead-up to Jamison Gibson-Park's try on the half-time whistle. Gave away a penalty early in the second half that curtailed Ireland's attacking momentum.

4. Joe McCarthy — 6.5

An early lineout mishap saw the ball stolen by Wilson in the lead-up to the opening Australia try. Led Ireland back up through the brutal collisions of the centre channels, with some thunderous carries over short and sharp distances. McCarthy kept the Wallabies defenders guessing, as the lock with the mullet shipped some handy offloads to his supporting runners. It consistently took two defenders to bring the big man down during his selfless contributions. Penalised for a high 'horse-collar' tackle early in the second half.

5. James Ryan — 5

Caught out of position in defence as the Wallabies hit top gear through Carter Gordon's break and Jock Campbell's first-half try. The usually reliable lineout leader was a step away from his best in the air, as the Wallabies piled on the pressure and Ryan missed his gatherings. The mid-air interference eventually backfired on the Wallabies, with Ryan handed the benefit of an illegal action early in the second half. Lost the 55th-minute lineout on the Wallabies' 5m line to squander attacking pressure, for the team's fifth total airborne error. Ryan's day only got tougher, as his illegal obstruction on Rob Valentini cancelled out Dan Sheehan's try.

6. Cian Prendergast — 7 (OFF 51)

Over the line for Ireland's first try to level the score after 10 minutes, despite queries over whether his drive was held up. The Connacht man has been the standout six of the URC season and made the most of his opportunity to start in the Ireland back row. A lung-bursting work rate saw Prendergast empty the tank and make a plethora of tackles in the end-to-end clash in Sydney. Prendergast provided a safe pair of hands at the lineout to calm heads after some earlier misfires.

7. Josh van der Flier — 6 (OFF 51)

Wrong-footed in the defensive line as Carter Gordon broke free in the lead-up to Jock Campbell's try. Made amends with his first-half score, as he bundled across the line at pace from the tap-and-go penalty. Built upon his try-scoring momentum with a strong shift on both sides of the ball, as the man in the red cap was ever-present at the gain line.

8. Jack Conan — 7.5

Starting in the absence of his injured captain Caelan Doris, he was immediately involved with breakdown steals. Shipped the offload to Gibson-Park for the scrum-half to grab Ireland's third try on the stroke of half-time, despite the pass arguably looking forward. Plenty of solid go-forward over the gain line from the wrecking-ball Leinster man, who left it all on the line in Sydney.

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher — 7 (ON 61)

The replacement hooker had plenty of work to do from the bench, as Ireland rallied back in the midst of a frenzied clash in Sydney. Kelleher tried to tighten up the line-out with a sharpened set-piece, and was integral in the resurgent Ireland comeback.

17. Jeremy Loughman — 5 (ON 51)

The first scrum was a poor one, as an early engagement handed Australia a scrum penalty before Tate McDermott skipped over the line for a try. The Munster prop took a nasty knee to the head from Rob Valentini as he got on the wrong side of the tackle.

18. Thomas Clarkson — 7 (ON 51)

The same issue as Jeremy Loughman upon his introduction from the bench, as the Wallabies grabbed a try following the first failed scrum from the replacement Ireland front row. Clarkson was overwhelmed at times at the scrum, as the Wallabies flexed their muscles with some hulking eight-man shunts. Rose to the occasion to grab the late try as the man of the hour for the men in green, with Ireland claiming a dramatic victory.

19. Tadhg Beirne — 6 (ON 51)

The Iron Man of the 2025 Lions Tour was back in Australia with a point to prove, having wrestled his way back from injury to be fit for the Nations Championship. Beirne impressed off the bench with a solid effort in defence, yet he was caught unawares as McDermott bagged the try after he was introduced. The veteran was called upon to lead the team through the trenches of an epic Test match.

20. Nick Timoney — 7 (ON 51)

Sent the expat Ireland supporters into a frenzy as he exploded into the Allianz Stadium backfield with a stunning break just past the hour mark. The Ulster man does not get too many Ireland opportunities, yet he continues to make the most of his time in green.

21. Craig Casey — N/A

22. Ciaran Frawley — 6.5 (ON 59)

The Leinster-turned-Connacht man emptied the reserves with a high-flying effort from the bench, with some eye-catching carries keeping the attacking tempo high until the very end of the match.

23. Bundee Aki — 6 (ON 64)

The powerhouse midfielder was unable to gather a loose pass that had Aki poised for the try-line, with the experienced veteran unable to have his usual impact on the chaotic close to the match. Dropped the ball over the line five minutes from full-time as the Wallabies dropped to 14 men.