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Australia prove too strong as Ireland again keep best for last

Women’s World Cup:
Ireland 24, Australia 36
TWO tries in the last seven minutes from Ireland’s Sophie Spence and Paula Fitzpatrick, one converted by Anna Tyrell, put a better look on the scoreboard but the Australians had the result of this match assured by the 64th minute. Trailing 12-19 at half time, Ireland needed an early second half score to get themselves back into contention but a try by Millie Boyle, converted by Ashleigh Hewson, put the visitors 12-26 in front. Hewson added a penalty on 56 minutes to stretch the lead to 12-29 and the out-half also added the conversion of Mahalia Murphy’s fine try to stretch that lead to 12-36 with 16 minutes remaining.
Ireland played their best rugby in the remaining minutes of the game but this defeat pushes them back into the lower regions of the world rankings.
Australia started with enthusiasm and with their pack asking questions of the Ireland defence, they went into the lead with eight minutes played. Holding onto the ball through multi phases, Shari Williams drifted diagonally to the left to get the unconverted try.
Ireland responded well and scored two tries in a hectic three minutes. The Irish pack showed their power at the maul to set up the first try by Ailis Egan and Nora Stapleton’s conversion edged them 7-5 in front on 15 minutes. A brilliant break by Alison Miller down the left flank increased the lead to 12-5 on 17 minutes but from there to the break, the Australians dominated.
Sarah Riordan split the Irish defence for a well-taken try on 28 minutes and prop Samoa, got in for her side’s third try six minutes before the break to leave the visitors leading 12-19 at half-time, Ashleigh Hewson converting both scores.
IRELAND: Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster); Louise Galvin (UL Bohemians/Munster), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Harlequins), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemians/Munster); Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht) (capt), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster).
Replacements: Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster), Ilse van Staden (Cooke/Ulster), Ciara O’Connor (Galwegians/Connacht), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians/Munster), Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union/Ulster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster).
AUSTRALIA: Samantha Treherne (Queensland/Sunnybank); Nareta Marsters (Queensland/Sunnybank), Sarah Riordan (Australian Defence Force/Victoria/Melbourne Unicorns), Sharni Williams (Australia Sevens/ACT/Canberra Royals) (capt), Mahalia Murphy (Australia Sevens/NSW/Campbell Town); Ashleigh Hewson (Sydney/Sydney University), Katrina Barker (NSW Country/Newcastle University); Liz Patu (Queensland/Wests), Cheyenne Campbell (Queensland/Redlands), Hilisha Samoa (Queensland/Brothers), Alisha Hewett (Australian Defence Force/Queensland/GPS), Rebecca Clough (Western Australia/Cottesloe), Millie Boyle (ACT/Canberra Royals), Chloe Butler (South Australia/Parramatta), Grace Hamilton (Sydney/Sydney University).
Replacements: Emily Robinson (Sydney/Warringah), Violeta Tupuola (ACT/Royals), Hana Ngaha (Queensland/Sunnybank), Mollie Gray (Australian Defence Force/NSW/Maitland), Kate Brown (ACT/Tuggeranong Vikings), Fenella Hake (Queensland/Redlands), Kayla Sauvao (Sydney/Parramatta), Trilleen Pomare (Western Australia/Wanneroo).
Referee: Ian Tempest (England)
Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Television Match Official: David Grashoff (England)

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