Ireland 13 – 10 Australia

Bundee Aki marked his return from an eight-game ban with an opening try; Jordan Petaia crossed to seal the game, before Ross Byrne scored for the hosts; Ireland are the first country to beat New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in a calendar year since England in 2002

Ross Byrne celebrates his match-winning penalty for Ireland against Australia

Ross Byrne scored a late penalty as Ireland overcame the loss of captain Johnny Sexton to cap a successful year with a 13-10 win over Australia.

Substitute fly-half Byrne curled home a difficult kick from the right with three minutes remaining in Dublin to seal Ireland’s 12th win in a row.

Andy Farrell’s men battled through a frustrating part of the tournament and could have easily ended 2022 with a real test against those who were beaten by Italy last week.

Ireland midfielder Bundee Aki showed he is back from an eight-game ban with an early try but the game remained in the balance after Jordan Petaia crossed for the Wallabies.

Jack Crowley, who started his test last week, was successful with both of his goals. He was substituted with eight minutes to go, and Byrne showed nerves of steel as he stepped up and kicked the match-winning penalty.

The Wallabies still have a chance to win the game in the final minutes. He scored a penalty kick in the corner of the byline, but the maul was penalized when the backs connected from the sideline. Then in the final seconds, he stole a throw from the Irish 22 only to come down to give Ireland the win.

A difficult evening for the Irish started with talisman Sexton out through injury, and his substitute Jack Crowley scored five points on his Test debut for Byrne, who was brought off the bench in the 11th hour, to prove himself the winner.

Ireland’s win sees them become the first nation to beat New Zealand, South Africa and the Wallabies in a calendar year since England in 2002.

Sir Clive Woodward’s men lifted the World Cup a year after this feat and that is the main target for Farrell’s side ahead of next year’s tournament in France.

What’s next?

Andy Farrell’s Ireland will now complete their 2022 international schedule, after three wins over South Africa, Fiji and Australia. They are in action for the 2023 Six Nations, where they start against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, February 4.

In Australia, Dave Rennie and co travel to face Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, November 26 (3.15pm GMT kick-off), the last of their five games this autumn.