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DUBLIN - Ireland scored an emphatic, record-breaking 21-6 victory over Australia on a wet and windy Lansdowne Road this morning (NZ time), securing their biggest margin of victory in a home test against the Wallabies.
Apart from the opening 10 minutes when Australia took a 3-0 lead with a penalty from captain Stirling Mortlock, the home side dominated the first half, using their possession to repeatedly test the visitors' disciplined defence.
First five-eighth Ronan O'Gara made things even in the 17th minute with a penalty before wing Denis Hickie scored the first try of the match 10 minutes later.
Fullback Geordan Murphy followed with another try in the closing minutes of the half and a conversion gave Ireland a well-deserved 15-3 lead at halftime.
Australia again opened the scoring after the interval with a penalty from Mortlock but Ireland quickly restored their halftime margin with another penalty from O'Gara.
O'Gara extended that lead to 21-6 with another penalty mid-way through the half.
- REUTERS
