The Ireland U20s have defeated the Australia U20s 30-10 in the second game of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
This crucial bonus-point victory keeps Ireland in contention to top the group and secure a spot in the semi-finals.
After earning three points from their draw against England in the opening Pool B game, Ireland knew that a win would keep their hopes alive for topping the group and reaching the last four.
They achieved this feat by defeating the Junior Wallabies with a bonus-point win.
Australia initially took the lead with Henry O'Donnell scoring a try, which was converted to canceled out Sam Prendergast's early penalty.
Shortly after, James Nicholson found touch to score Ireland's first try, making it 11-10 in a scrappy first half.
In the second half, Ireland emerged as a transformed team, particularly in terms of their set-piece performance. They won two consecutive penalties at the set-piece, leading to Brian Gleeson powering over for a second try, converted once again by Prendergast. Captain Gus McCarthy further extended Ireland's lead with a try, firmly placing Ireland in control of the second half.
A huge bonus point W in South Africa! 😍#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland pic.twitter.com/M5AaL2wFDK
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 29, 2023
Despite losing Rory Telfer to a red card for a high tackle, Ireland remained unaffected and managed to secure their fourth try. Diarmuid Mangan scrambled the ball over the line in the final play of the game. The match ended with Ireland victorious, winning 30-10.
Reflecting on the game, Ireland's McCarthy expressed his delight, saying, "We’re absolutely delighted, that last-minute try for the bonus point really shows the character in the group. We never give up fighting, and the boys finished it off. I'm so proud of them. That shows what’s in our squad, we never give up, keep fighting and the boys finished it off, I’m so proud of them."
McCarthy also acknowledged Australia's strong scrum but commended Ireland's own scrum and the efforts of the second-rows. He also highlighted the challenging weather conditions, mentioning that the Irish winter suited them more than their opponents. However, he emphasized the need to improve discipline and handling.
“Australia have a super scrum, but we really back our scrum as well and we went at them," added the Kildare native. "It paid off, we’ve a great scrum coach and we did a lot of analysis, well done to the second-rows they put a lot of weight behind us.
“It really feels like an Irish winter, it probably suited us more than the Australians. We need to fix our discipline, it wasn’t good enough first-half and our handling needs to improve; but we fought, we stayed in it and it highlights this squad. They never give up.”
Ireland's final pool game will be against Fiji on Tuesday. That game starts at 13.30.
Ireland U20: Henry McErlean; Andrew Osborne, Hugh Gavin, John Devine, James Nicholson; Sam Prendergast, Fintan Gunne; Paddy McCarthy, Gus McCarthy (capt), Ronan Foxe; Charlie Irvine, Conor O'Tighearnaigh; James McNabney, Ruadhan Quinn, Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Danny Sheahan, George Morris, Fiachna Barrett, Evan O'Connell, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Oliver, Harry West, Rory Telfer.
Australia U20: Mason Gordon; Tim Ryan, Henry O'Donnell, David Vaihu, Darby Lancaster; Jack Bowen, Teddy Wilson (capt); Jack Barrett, Max Craig, Massimo De Lutiis; Jhy Legg, Daniel Maiava-Tapusoa; Lachlan Hooper, Ned Slack-Smith, John Bryant.
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Harrison Usher, Nick Bloomfield, Toby Macpherson, Leafi Heka Talataina, Klayton Thorn, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Taj Annan.
