History has been made.
And breathe. Ireland have made history after winning their first test series in the southern hemisphere for over 39 years.
The Six Nations champions edged out the Wallabies at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium by 20-16 to clinch their first Test Series victory Down Under since 1979.
Ireland led 12-9 at half time in a ferocious battle that saw two players, Jacob Stockdale and Israel Folau, sent to the sin bin.
After Peter O’Mahony went off injured, Johnny Sexton took up the armband and the fly-half didn’t disappoint. When does he?
Sexton kicked five penalties with C.J Stander barging over for Ireland’s only try.
Marika Koroibete crossed the whitewash for the hosts while Bernard Foley’s boot kept Chieka’s team in the game right up until the nail-biting final passage.
This being said, Ireland held on to claim a famous win and cap a superb season for Irish rugby.
Six Nations champions, Grand Slam winners, Triple Crown, Champions Cup, Pro14 and now, a series win in Australia.
Incredible.
Full Time score – Australia 16-20 IRELAND. IRELAND win the series! #ShoulderToShoulder #TeamOfUs #AUSvIRL pic.twitter.com/wL3A2gvbPB
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 23, 2018
#sendit boys!!! Historic year for @IrishRugby enjoy it boys!
— jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) June 23, 2018
Grand Slam
Six Nations
Triple Crown
Champions Cup
Pro14
Series win in Australia
Greatest season in Irish rugby history— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/dlabanyi/status/1010496783343112192
Great Test series win for Ireland. Grand Slam champions, Club Champions and now this. Hats off to some very talented players 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Will Carling (@willcarling) June 23, 2018
Hard to believe the golden generation is gone and next one is even better. Incredible season. #AUSvIRL https://t.co/YaMv5cQuit
— Paddy McKenna (@PaddyMcKenna) June 23, 2018
A Series win in Australia! What a way to end an unbelievable season! So proud. 👊☘ #AUSvIRL pic.twitter.com/On8CffNHK6
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) June 23, 2018
Yet more evidence that Ireland represents the northern hemisphere’s best chance of a rugby World Cup win next year. Huge series triumph https://t.co/U04HYoQKUg
— Dan Roan (@danroan) June 23, 2018
A Grand Slam and a series win in Australia is huge heading into a RWC.
Massive effort from the boys.
2-1 Ireland. Incredible. History made. #AUSvIRE
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) June 23, 2018
Well done Ireland!!!! One of the greatest Irish teams in any code.
— Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) June 23, 2018
Congratulations to @IrishRugby who WIN the third and final test to claim the Lansdowne Cup!!! 🏆
FT | @qantaswallabies 16 – 20 @IrishRugby
3rd Test, Allianz Stadium, Sydney. #AUSvIRL pic.twitter.com/mwYE7SRQqy— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) June 23, 2018
Amazing game to finish Ireland’s greatest ever season of rugby. Ireland – elite rugby team. Still feels weird.
— Ian Lynam (@ianlynam) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/CianByNature/status/1010494856416956416
Wow Wow Wow!!! Some finish & what a Test decider!
Ireland win 20-16 in Sydney #AUSvIRL
Congrats @IrishRugby 🇮🇪💪
Celebrating @CJStander's try 👇 pic.twitter.com/5R4GGxAreM
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) June 23, 2018
