Strong start for Ireland

HT: Ireland 6 Australia 6

Ireland produced an encouraging first half in their pivotal World Cup Pool C clash with Australia at Eden Park.

A penalty and drop-goal from Jonathan Sexton saw them enter the break on level terms, but they had edged the Wallabies over the 40 minutes.

Australia’s points came from the boot of James O’Connor, who opened the scoring with a 10th-minute penalty and then got the Wallabies back on level terms with another penalty in the 23rd minute.

Two successive penalties were conceded at the breakdown but O’Connor, who was taking an eternity to complete his kicks, was off target.

The pauses in between action were lengthy in the third quarter, but when the ball was in play Ireland were enjoying the better moments.

A second missed penalty from Sexton did not help the cause, however, and nor did blundering referee Bryce Lawrence who first got in Reddan’s way as he tried to distribute the ball and then failed to penalise James Horwill for being offside.

Australia were under pressure and Stephen Ferris produced the moment of the half when he picked up Genia at the base of a scrum and carried him 10 metres with the Irish pack piling in behind him.