Player ratings: how Ireland players fared in narrow win over Wallabies 

Hugo Keenan made an impression on his long-awaited return.

DIVING BACK IN: Ireland's Hugo Keenan scores his side’s fourth try. Pic: INPHO/Photosport/David Neilson

Ireland 

15 – Hugo Keenan 

Back in the fold and back in business. It’s been a painful injury-stricken time but Keenan looked the part here, cover-tackling to save his side from even more punishment and getting forward, too, into good positions. Good to see him back. 7 

14 – Jimmy O’Brien 

A late call, drafted as a replacement for a hamstrung Robert Baloucoune, O’Brien had to show his mettle and make up for the loss of Ireland’s two speedsters from the Six Nations. No major involvements but no bloopers either. 6 

13 – Garry Ringrose 

Labouring, clutching his shoulder at one point, Ringrose looked uncharacteristically vulnerable in defence and the Wallabies took full advantage as they notched a try bonus point by the half-time mark. Didn’t wilt despite the issues. 6 

12 – Stuart McCloskey 

Faithful to a fault, McCloskey will truck the ball up all night long if it serves the best interests of the team and that was just what Ireland needed, a focal point to generate momentum. 8 

11 – Jamie Osborne 

Mr Versatile, Mr Fixit, there to solve all manner of injury absences, slotting in where James Lowe used to be even though this is his first appearance on the wing all season. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a game for high-ball activity. 6 

10 – Sam Prendergast 

It doesn’t get any easier for Prendergast, throwing an interception try-scoring pass but rising to the occasion when landing the match-winning conversion. The jury will probably be out for a while yet but Prendergast went the distance and was there to help secure a famous win. Defended reasonably well, no soft touch as has been the case. 7 

9 – Jamison Gibson-Park 

An invaluable presence, as he has shown so often, popping up in the right place at just the right time to score a try as the clock ran down to half-time. A mixed bag with his kicking but influential as ever. 7 

1 – Tom O’Toole 

The scrum was not a decisive part of the action until the second half when O’Toole had to return to the field for the injured Jeremy Loughman, the Irish pack ceding a penalty under Australian posts to add to their set-piece difficulties. 6 

2 – Dan Sheehan (capt) 

In at the deep end and soon gasping for air as a fluffed lineout triggered Pietsch’s early score, Sheehan had to steady the ship on all fronts. It was a hell of a challenge and Sheehan gave it a shot but couldn’t cure the lineout ills. 6 

3 – Tadhg Furlong 

There were plenty of sightings of the green-shirted no.3 as Furlong contributed significantly to the action round the park, using his deft hands to help create the Gibson-Park try. 6 

4 – Joe McCarthy 

Busy and visible, the Leinster lock performed his core duties well and offered himself for the hard-yards role willingly, getting smashed but coming back for more. His toughness was just what Ireland needed. 7 

5 – James Ryan 

Scrapped away but could make little difference in correcting the lineout woes when up against the giant Wallaby lock, Josh Canham. Battled manfully but transgressed with breaking off the drive that led to a trademark Sheehan try that was chalked off and knocking on when Bundee Aki was better placed. 6 

6 – Cian Prendergast 

In form and in demand, the Connacht captain joined his brother in the test arena for only their second start together, reward for a piledriving season and what a tale to tell with his try and conversion by Sam, a family affair. Put in a big shift throughout. 7 

7 – Josh van der Flier 

The battle of the headguards, van der Flier’s red against the white of the game’s supreme jackaller, Fraser McReight. It was a riveting contest, the Irishman getting ahead on the board with his well-timed support run for a try which was some sort of compensation for an earlier missed tackle on Carter Gordon. 7 

8 – Jack Conan 

A night for digging deep as Ireland’s pack was charged with chiselling possession wherever they could as their set-piece struggled to lay a foundation. Conan went the distance, always willing, always available. 6 

Replacements 

The bench did what it was supposed to do, add fresh impetus and lay claim to a victory that was earned through relentless graft and belief, epitomised in no-one more so than Tadhg Beirne. The lineout steadied as did the team itself, Beirne bringing not only his weight to bear physically but also through his reassuring presence. There were other good cameos, from the hard-running Ulster back-rower, Nick Timoney, to the burrowing prop, Thomas Clarkson, who dragged himself and Ireland over the line with just three minutes to spare. 8