Ben Donaldson was unable to land a winning penalty goal after the full-time siren, as the Wallabies went down 33-31 to Ireland in a pulsating Nations Championship Test.
In front of a sold-out crowd in Sydney, the Wallabies were awarded a penalty 40 metres out from Ireland’s goal line and close to touch.
A successful attempt on the posts would have clinched the Wallabies a one-point victory, but Donaldson’s effort went wide and Ireland held on for the win.
Ireland had only taken its winning lead inside the final five minutes of the match when reserve forward Thomas Clarkson crashed over for a converted try.
The Wallabies had been defending grimly deep inside their half at this stage.
They were penalised for repeated offences, with reserve forward Lachie Shaw — playing his first Test — shown a yellow card, meaning the Wallabies finished the match with 14 players.
The Wallabies had earlier led 24-19 at half-time.
It was an entertaining affair, with the Wallabies and Ireland each scoring five tries.
But the Wallabies let themselves down with poor discipline, giving away 11 of 12 penalties inside their territory.
They next face France in Brisbane on Saturday evening, while Ireland travels to Newcastle to play Japan.
This was the first weekend of the inaugural edition of the Nations Championship, which involves 12 teams across the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:27pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:27pm
Thanks for your company!
That’s where we are going to sign off tonight — thanks for joining us!
Congratulations to Ireland on a deserved 33-31 victory.
But well down to the Wallabies for the spirit they showed against their higher-ranked opponents.
The Australian leg of the Nations Championship continues next Saturday, with Ireland facing Japan in Newcastle.
We’ll be live blogging the Wallabies Test against France in Brisbane, so make sure to jump on board.
Bye for now!
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:19pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:19pm
The ‘D’ word
Harry Wilson and Tate McDermott hit the nail on the head in their post-match comments: the Wallabies were made to pay for their poor discipline.
They lost the penalty count 12-10, with 11 coming in their own half.
They were handed a yellow card (Lachie Shaw) for repeated offences inside the final 10 minutes.
You cannot give world-class teams such as Ireland opportunities inside your own territory.
There was a lot for the Wallabies to be proud of, but they have to improve their discipline.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:15pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:15pm
Irish eyes are smiling!
So Ireland retains the Lansdowne Cup with its sixth straight win over the Wallabies.
Here’s Irish skipper Dan Sheehan after the match.
That was not perfect by any means. But to be able to close out games like that, you can’t buy [wins like that].
So we’ll be proud of that win. We have a lot to work on for next week and the week after, but we’ll be proud of that.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:12pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:12pm
Wilson reflects on Wallabies’ loss
Here’s Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson.
I thought our attack, our defence was pretty good. But it’s just that discipline really hurt us.
Giving away a few penalties in a row … a team like Ireland really do make you pay.
Quite disappointed with that result in the end. But they were the better team on the night.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:10pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:10pm
Keenan named player of the match
Here’s player of the match Hugo Keenan speaking at the post-match presentation:
God, it was so tight. So intense. A proper Test match.
We never gave up. We dug in deep and at the end of the day it just came down to a kick.
So hard luck to Australia. They were very unlucky. Could have gone either way.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:08pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:08pm
Tough day for Aussie supporters
Arghhh! So close! – What a day for Aussies, book-ended by the Soceroos and the Wallabies losing in close finishes… Thanks for the blog anyway Luke.
– Mike
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:06pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:06pm
Wallabies speak post-match
Tate McDermott has spoken to the Nine Network after the match:
We had plenty of opportunities. We just weren’t good enough at the end of the day.
The Irish, to their credit, they’re quality team.
So the amount of penalties we gave away, we probably shot ourselves in the foot a little bit. And that’s the really disappointing thing about it.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm
IRELAND WINS!
IRELAND WINS 33-31!
Ben Donaldson misses with his shot at a penalty goal, which sees Ireland hold on!
Credit to Donaldson for stepping up to the tee after the full-time siren had sounded.
But congratulations to Ireland who deserves the win!
The Wallabies showed fight but they didn’t have enough polish to hold on at the death.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
81′ Wallabies penalty!
The Wallabies are given a penalty 40 metres out, close to the right touchline.
Ben Donaldson is stepping up to the tee.
A penalty goal will give the Wallabies a 34-33 win.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:58pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:58pm
80′ Wallabies in possession
The Wallabies have the ball inside their half — where can they go from here?
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:57pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:57pm
79′ Can Ireland hang on?
A minute left and the Irish send the ball down field from their own half.
Who wins from here?
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:55pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:55pm
77′ Ireland scores!
Ireland scores through Thomas Clarkson!
Sam Prendergast lands the conversion and the Irish lead 33-31!
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:54pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:54pm
76′ Wallabies yellow card!
Lachie Shaw has been shown a yellow card after the Wallabies are penalised for another offside play!
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:53pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:53pm
75′ Another Irish penalty
Ireland gains another penalty (offside), this time inside the Wallabies’ 22.
Referee Ben O’Keeffe has given the Wallabies a warning for repeated offences.
Again, what can Ireland do?
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:50pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:50pm
73′ Irish penalty inside Wallabies’ half
The Wallabies are pinged for offside.
Ireland goes for touch to take a line-out throw.
Five metres from the Wallabies’ line — what can Ireland do?
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:49pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:49pm
71′ Donaldson misses
Ireland has possession again after Ben Donaldson’s penalty goal attempt goes wide.
Wallabies leading 31-26 inside the final 10 minutes.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:48pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:48pm
70′ Another penalty to Wallabies!
The Wallabies are given a penalty inside the Irish half for an obstruction play from the visitors.
It’s on the right-hand touchline and 30 metres out, and Ben Donaldson has chosen to take shot on the sticks from the tee.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:46pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:46pm
68′ Wallabies penalty
The Wallabies scrum holds up and claims a penalty five metres out from their line.
They kick for touch and have a line-out throw 40 metres out from their posts.
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:44pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:44pm
66′ Ireland blows attacking chance
Ireland knocks on in front of the posts!
The Irish had the Wallabies desperately defending on their line, but James Ryan spills the ball.
Wallabies earn a reprieve!
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:42pm
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:42pm
65′ Ireland penalty inside Wallabies territory
Ireland goes for the line after being awarded a penalty deep inside Wallabies territory.
James Slipper is penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.
What can Ireland do with its line-out?
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