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Returning Pocock Australia's match-winner as Ireland finally suffer defeat
The returning David Pocock was Australia’s match-winner as they handed Ireland a first defeat in over a year with an 18-9 victory in the first Test in Brisbane.
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Ireland have never previously played a three-Test series in Australia and they rested several of their Leinster contingent for the opener at Suncorp Stadium after the province’s exploits in the Pro14 and European Champions Cup finals.
Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy were left on the bench while Garry Ringrose and Dan Leavy were not selected at all, but the second-ranked side in the world were still competitive and led until the final 10 minutes.
But Australia, having earlier seen an Israel Folau try disallowed, upped the ante in the closing stages and Bernard Foley put them 11-9 to the good with a penalty before Pocock, playing his first international since taking a sabbatical from the game last year, crossed from close range to hand Ireland a first loss since a 22-9 reverse at the hands of Wales in March 2017.
An 18-9 win for your #Wallabies at @suncorpstadium tonight!
READ: https://t.co/MiRGlT2Td7#AUSvIRL #GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/JriEHUEEp0
— Wallabies (@wallabies) June 9, 2018
Foley booted Australia into a third-minute lead after Bundee Aki was pinned for offside, but the Wallabies fly-half was penalised for the same offence 11 minutes later and Joey Carbery levelled matters.
Jacob Stockdale produced defensive heroics to preserve parity as he somehow caught Marika Koroibete and tackled the wing into touch after he looked certain to score.
Carbery slotted over a second three-pointer from in front of the posts to give Ireland the lead but, though the tourists had looked menacing in attack, it was the Wallabies who crossed for the first try as Will Genia sent Foley over in the corner after Pocock had won a loose ball.
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Australia’s slim lead looked poised to only last a minute after the restart when CJ Stander burst through the Wallabies’ defence, but Dane Haylett-Petty and Koroibete managed to catch the number eight and hold him up over the line.
The boot of Carbery did eventually put Ireland back in front, yet they were grateful to the TMO for keeping them ahead as the officials attracted the ire of the Brisbane crowd.
Folau raced over wide on the right following slick handling from Australia after Aki had been turned over, but the TMO went back several phases to chalk off the score for a tackle on a player without the ball.
Despite that misfortune, Australia finished the stronger of the two sides, excellent work at the scrum deep in Ireland territory earning them a penalty that Foley easily converted to swing the pendulum back in their favour.
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Stockdale was then penalised close to his own line as Australia were rewarded for excellent pursuit of a kick downfield, and they swiftly took advantage as Pocock bundled his way over.
72 | DAVID POCOCK! ???
Poey caps off a sensational #Wallabies return with a pick and go try. We lead 16-9. #AUSvIRL #GoldBlooded
— Wallabies (@wallabies) June 9, 2018
Kieran Marmion appeared to have crossed for a late consolation for Ireland but that was disallowed for a knock-on, leaving the tourists with plenty of work to do ahead of the second Test in Melbourne next week.
Comments on RugbyPass
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
2 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
1 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
6 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
2 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
6 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
6 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to comments