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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Wallabies had been defending grimly deep inside their half at this stage.<\/p>\n
They were penalised for repeated offences, with reserve forward Lachie Shaw \u2014 playing his first Test \u2014 shown a yellow card, meaning the Wallabies finished the match with 14 players.<\/p>\n
The Wallabies had earlier led 24-19 at half-time.<\/p>\n
It was an entertaining affair, with the Wallabies and Ireland each scoring five tries.<\/p>\n
But the Wallabies let themselves down with poor discipline, giving away 11 of 12 penalties inside their territory.<\/p>\n
They next face France in Brisbane on Saturday evening, while Ireland travels to Newcastle to play Japan.<\/p>\n
This was the first weekend of the inaugural edition of the Nations Championship, which involves 12 teams across the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.<\/p>\n
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:27pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:27pm<\/p>\n
Thanks for your company!<\/p>\n
That’s where we are going to sign off tonight \u2014 thanks for joining us!<\/p>\n
Congratulations to Ireland on a deserved 33-31 victory.<\/p>\n
But well down to the Wallabies for the spirit they showed against their higher-ranked opponents.<\/p>\n
The Australian leg of the Nations Championship continues next Saturday, with Ireland facing Japan in Newcastle.<\/p>\n
We’ll be live blogging the Wallabies Test against France in Brisbane, so make sure to jump on board.<\/p>\n
Bye for now!<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:19pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:19pm<\/p>\n
The ‘D’ word<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
They lost the penalty count 12-10, with 11 coming in their own half.<\/p>\n
They were handed a yellow card (Lachie Shaw) for repeated offences inside the final 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
You cannot give world-class teams such as Ireland opportunities inside your own territory.<\/p>\n
There was a lot for the Wallabies to be proud of, but they have to improve their discipline.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:15pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:15pm<\/p>\n
Irish eyes are smiling!<\/p>\n
So Ireland retains the\u00a0Lansdowne Cup with its sixth straight win over the Wallabies.<\/p>\n
Here’s Irish skipper Dan Sheehan after the match.<\/p>\n
That was not perfect by any means. But to be able to close out games like that, you can’t buy [wins like that].<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:12pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:12pm<\/p>\n
Wilson reflects on Wallabies’ loss<\/p>\n
Here’s Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson.<\/p>\n
I thought our attack, our defence was pretty good. But it’s just that discipline really hurt us.<\/p>\n
Giving away a few penalties in a row \u2026 a team like Ireland really do make you pay.<\/p>\n
Quite disappointed with that result in the end. But they were the better team on the night.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:10pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:10pm<\/p>\n
Keenan named player of the match<\/p>\n
Here’s player of the match Hugo Keenan speaking at the post-match presentation:<\/p>\n
God, it was so tight. So intense. A proper Test match.<\/p>\n
We never gave up. We dug in deep and at the end of the day it just came down to a kick.<\/p>\n
So hard luck to Australia. They were very unlucky. Could have gone either way.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:08pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:08pm<\/p>\n
Tough day for Aussie supporters<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
– Mike<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:06pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:06pm<\/p>\n
Wallabies speak post-match<\/p>\n
Tate McDermott has spoken to the Nine Network after the match:<\/p>\n
We had plenty of opportunities. We just weren’t good enough at the end of the day.<\/p>\n
The Irish, to their credit, they’re quality team.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm<\/p>\n
IRELAND WINS!<\/p>\n
IRELAND WINS 33-31!<\/p>\n
Ben Donaldson misses with his shot at a penalty goal, which sees Ireland hold on!<\/p>\n
Credit to Donaldson for stepping up to the tee after the full-time siren had sounded.<\/p>\n
But congratulations to Ireland who deserves the win!<\/p>\n
The Wallabies showed fight but they didn’t have enough polish to hold on at the death.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm<\/p>\n
81′ Wallabies penalty!<\/p>\n
The Wallabies are given a penalty 40 metres out, close to the right touchline.<\/p>\n
Ben Donaldson is stepping up to the tee.<\/p>\n
A penalty goal will give the Wallabies a 34-33 win.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:58pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:58pm<\/p>\n
80′ Wallabies in possession<\/p>\n
The Wallabies have the ball inside their half \u2014 where can they go from here?<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:57pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:57pm<\/p>\n
79′ Can Ireland hang on?<\/p>\n
A minute left and the Irish send the ball down field from their own half.<\/p>\n
Who wins from here?<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:55pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:55pm<\/p>\n
77′ Ireland scores!<\/p>\n
Ireland scores through Thomas Clarkson!<\/p>\n
Sam Prendergast lands the conversion and the Irish lead 33-31!<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:54pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:54pm<\/p>\n
76′ Wallabies yellow card!<\/p>\n
Lachie Shaw has been shown a yellow card after the Wallabies are penalised for another offside play!<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:53pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:53pm<\/p>\n
75′ Another Irish penalty<\/p>\n
Ireland gains another penalty (offside), this time inside the Wallabies’ 22.<\/p>\n
Referee Ben O’Keeffe has given the Wallabies a warning for repeated offences.<\/p>\n
Again, what can Ireland do?<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:50pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:50pm<\/p>\n
73′ Irish penalty inside Wallabies’ half<\/p>\n
The Wallabies are pinged for offside.<\/p>\n
Ireland goes for touch to take a line-out throw.<\/p>\n
Five metres from the Wallabies’ line \u2014 what can Ireland do?<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:49pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:49pm<\/p>\n
71′ Donaldson misses<\/p>\n
Ireland has possession again after Ben Donaldson’s penalty goal attempt goes wide.<\/p>\n
Wallabies leading 31-26 inside the final 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:48pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:48pm<\/p>\n
70′ Another penalty to Wallabies!<\/p>\n
The Wallabies are given a penalty inside the Irish half for an obstruction play from the visitors.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:46pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:46pm<\/p>\n
68′ Wallabies penalty<\/p>\n
The Wallabies scrum holds up and claims a penalty five metres out from their line.<\/p>\n
They kick for touch and have a line-out throw 40 metres out from their posts.<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:44pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:44pm<\/p>\n
66′ Ireland blows attacking chance<\/p>\n
Ireland knocks on in front of the posts!<\/p>\n
The Irish had the Wallabies desperately defending on their line, but James Ryan spills the ball.<\/p>\n
Wallabies earn a reprieve!<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:42pm<\/p>\n
Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 9:42pm<\/p>\n
65′ Ireland penalty inside Wallabies territory<\/p>\n
Ireland goes for the line after being awarded a penalty deep inside Wallabies territory.<\/p>\n
James Slipper is penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.<\/p>\n
What can Ireland do with its line-out?<\/p>\n
Show more posts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ben Donaldson was unable to land a winning penalty goal after the full-time siren, as the Wallabies went…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44254,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[32215,33962,23,101,11430,33961,191,25210,33948,8165,5067,247,33960,5069,8285],"class_list":["post-44253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sydney","tag-all-blacks","tag-andy-farrell","tag-australia","tag-blog","tag-ireland","tag-joe-schmidt","tag-live","tag-nations-championship","tag-rugby","tag-rugby-union","tag-scores","tag-sydney","tag-test","tag-updates","tag-wallabies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44253\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Luke](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/lcimg-67487594-57ba-498b-b6b5-0c23d070207e.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n