Australia overcome a sluggish start to beat a courageous and spirited Ireland side 15-10 at Ravenhill to get their defence of the IRB Under 19 World Championship crown off to a winning start on Thursday 5 April.
There was an electric atmosphere when the host nation side ran out on to the pitch to be greeted by a crowd of 6,715 and, with ‘Ireland’s Call’ still ringing in their ears, they started the game in a positive fashion.
The physical attitude of the Irish pack rocked the champions back in the early exchanges with Ireland’s tactics of the driving maul really exposing a much larger Australian pack, although the scrambled defence of the Australians prevented the Irish from gaining the points they deserved.
There were some nerves evident in the southern hemisphere side, however their physicality at the tackle was enough to keep the Irish at bay. Ireland had numerous attempts at getting those first points, but individual errors at crucial times let them down.
Ireland eventually turned this period of good play into points by utilising a cross field kick, which wing Niall Morris gathered and touched down. The try went unconverted and with Ireland hoping to add to this score Australia were forced to defend resolutely.
This defence spilled over to ill discipline at times, resulting in referee James Jones sin-binning scrum half Jeremy Su’a and only minutes later he sent off number 8 Michael Uoka to reduce Australia to 13 men.
However Ireland couldn’t make their numerical advantage count and had to settle for a 5-0 advantage at half time over the defending champions. Ireland then had a player of their own sin-binned early in the second half in second row Brian Cawley.
Australia came out all guns blazing after the break, despite having 14 men on the field, and impressive performances from captain Brett Gillespie and the forward pack, especially Sam Wykes, subdued the vocal home crowd.
The defending champions took the lead through a try by wing Andrew Barrett, which was converted by Rowan Kellam. Barrett then claimed a second in the corner after sustained pressure on the Irish line and some enterprising back play.
Ireland coach Charlie McAleese sent on a clutch of replacements and they, together with the crowd, rejuvenated the side and they enjoyed a period of pressure before being rewarded when Adam Sherry crashed over with the help from his forwards for the try to cut the deficit to 12-10.
Eion O’Malley’s conversion dropped agonisingly short for the home crowd and Australia made certain of victory with a penalty by Kellam, leaving an Ireland side led by inspirational captain Paul Ryan to reflect on a bonus point and a performance appreciated by their loyal supporters.
