43 min: Valetini runs over the population of Dublin as he canters up field. He runs away from his mates though so has to pop a sloppy ball up for McDermott. He flings to Canham, who once again shows off his soft skills, before Gordon kicks to the corner but overcooks it. Ireland take the easy mark.

41 min: Sam Prendergast laucnhes a torpedo upfield and lands it exactly where he wants it. Australia will have the line-out on their 22 but they win it no problem. Then McCarthy catches McDermott and gives away a penalty. So one step forward, one step back for the Irish. Gordon rakes the penalty down field and finds touch around halfway.

Some debate over Ireland’s final try.

Was the final pass to Gibson-Park on Australia’s 22 forward? Possibly. I think that’s close enough to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team.

Japan beat Italy 27-10!

That’s a heck of a result for the Brave Blossoms.

39 min: Every Australian player, from 1 to 15, is showing handling skills that is on a different plane right now. They’re catching and releasing in a flash and the Irish defenders are chasing shadow. One move comes to an end down the right as Jorgensen can’t connect with an off-load inside him on the left wing, but that was another tasty example of how good this Wallabies side can be when they click. Ireland with the scrum. They’ll want to get into the shed and take a breather ASAP.

37 min: Sua’ali’i bursts through midfield and he’s away! A little goose step, he just hs to beat Keenan but the Irish fullback is immense here! Wow, what a tackle abd he forces the off-load as Sua’ali’i tries to off-load on the floor about five metres short of the corner. Brilliant, brilliant continuity from Australia. Canham is having the game of his life. Every player in gold looks so slick and so together. Ireland exit but Australia are back on the ball and charging forward from halfway.

35 min: Australia win the scrum and McDermott picks up and hoofs a kick himself, but he skews it off the side of his boot so Ireland back with the line-out about 40 out on the left. Yet again they lose the ball! Canham rises and grabs it. That’s three line-outs Ireland have blown.

34 min: Prendergast didn’t have much of an angle with the penalty but the outside of the boot means he finds touch on Australia’s 22. The line-out is won and they snake from right to left before going back to the right. Australia’s defence holds firm for now. Ryan gets over the 22. Ringrose carries well. Keenan too. Better from Ireland. Oh but they spill it! Sua’ali’i’s counter ruck forces van der Fliers foot onto Gibson-Park’s hand just as he was about to pass. Questions if he entered from the side of the ruck there. Hmmm. Both teams have a reason to moan as Lonergan leaves the field with what looks like a head knock. On comes McDermott to feed this scrum inside his own 22 with a short blind to his right.

32 min: Ryan misses the line-out so Australia come away with it. Nasser carries well, not for the first time. Australia on the ball on halfway before Lonergan hoists a high contestable kick. But he had a couple of mates ahead of him when he boxed so Ireland get a soft penalty.

30 min: Hectic stuff this. McCarthy gets the stuffing knocked out of him by two defenders but he gets back up. Ringrose rakes a kick to the corner and it’s perfect, five short of the line after a few bounces. Australia win the line-out and exit swiftly though. Ireland will get a crack from a line-out of their own inside Australia’s half on the left. 40 metres out, can they show a bit more punch?

23 min: Ireland hold onto the ball around halfway but do nothing with it. No punch or zip so Gibson-Park hoists a high kick. They win the ball back so can work a move around Australia’s 22, but they’re too slow and the carrier is isolated and long Williams stoops low to steal a turnover on the floor.

19 min: Ringrose spills the ball as Gibson-Park flings it to him, but Ireland have the penalty advantage from the line-out. So they can go again from touching distance.

17 min: Ireland have an opportunity as they win a penalty on the floor inside Australia’s 22. McReight thought he pinched it legally, but not according to the man with the whistle. Another line-out five from the line for Ireland.

16 min: Brilliant from Australia with ball in hand. Their attacking ruck speed is next level and every time Lonergan and Gordon touch they ball they’re doing so on the front foot. From there Ikitau and Sua’ali’i can motor forward and the wide men can gallop into space.

14 min: Gordon explodes through a hole in midfield inside his own territory and in a flash Australia are the rampage in Ireland’s half. Australia keep the ball and go through the phases. They’re up to the 22 with some lovely tip-on passing and continuity. Oh my word, Campbell shows and goes and the space opens up…

12 min: Tell you what, I’m not convinced that the ball was dotted down. Ben O’Keefe was convinced though and he’s the only one who matters.

9 min: Conan puts in a mighty shove at the ruck inside his own half on the right and wins the ball back with a lovely counter ruck. Ireland spiral the ball from right to left where Osborne goes to the boot and hoofs it down town. The return kick doesn’t have the same heft so Ireland will get the throw inside Australia’s half, about ten in on the left. They then get a penalty from a maul so Prendergast nudges it to the five metre line for another throw.

7 min: Osborne steps in off his wing on the right and is smoked in contact by two defenders. He’s isolated and suddenly a wall of gold falls on him and he coughs up a penalty. Ireland kept the ball well but went nowhere. All too familiar and predictable. Australia will kick out and take the line-out back in Ireland’s patch on the left.

6 min: Ireland almost hit back straight away. Gibson-Park has the ball inside Australia’s 22 and tries to grubber ahead but he can’t make it stick. Australia dallied with the ball and almost paid the price there. But they escape with a drop-kick exit on their own line. Ireland have it back and look to build through the phases about 30 metres out.

4 min: Ireland lose their line-out as Bell come away with it. Both Australian centres combine before Sua’ali’i off-loads. They’re up inside the Irish 22 with an advantage. Three metres now with Nasser carrying..

2 min: Both teams exchange kicks as they feel each other out. Campbell makes a tidy catch to settle his nerves. Gordon rakes a lovely touch finder from his own 22 that dribbles out inside Irish territory.

The Sydney Football Stadium looks stunning!

It’s sold out and has been for some time.

We keep hearing how rugby struggles to find elbow room at the table in Australian sport, but something is clearly working.

More good news for the southern hemisphere (and my prediction of a clean sweep this weekend).

Japan are 24-10 up against Italy afterwards after 50-odd minutes.

I know Japan is actually in the northern hemisphere (about 2,466 miles above the equator in fact) but spiritually, the Brave Blossoms are a southern hemisphere team.

I also want to see more from the other Wallaby centre, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i.

The lad exploded onto the scene but has lost a bit of lustre of late.

There’s no doubt he’s an athlete plucked from the top of the tree, with gifts that us mere mortals could only dream of.

But I want to see more. I want to see control, I want to see him show organisation on defence and provide a bit more link-up besides sensational off-loads.

I know I’m being greedy, and perhaps a little harsh on someone still learning the game having made the switch from league not too long ago, but I just know that if everything clicks his ceiling could be higher than the Burj Khalifa.

Really keen to see how the midfield battle plays out.

Len Ikitau is one of the elite ballers in the game and Stuart McClosky was the best centre of the Six Nations (imo).

The winner of their contest could sway the game.

How about some stats:

• The Wallabies last beat Ireland in 2016 and have lost their last five, four of which were within seven points.

• They have been held under 20 points in five of their last six games, including their 18-9 win in Brisbane.

• The Wallabies hold an 11-5 record over Ireland in Australia

Angus Fontaine has focussed on Joe Schmidt’s farewell tour.

Thanks to Geoff who wrote in and corrected a mistake.

Of course Ireland’s coach is Andy Farrell, not Owen, as I incorrectly said in my preamble.

For those with an eye on the England v South Africa game later, I’ve got some news.

It’s not good if you’re English.

George Furbank has been ruled out of the game could miss the entire July tour because of appendicitis. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

In a crushing blow to a player poised to make his first Test appearance since November 2024, Furbank was taken to hospital in Johannesburg on Friday after experiencing painful symptoms.

Marcus Smith – who was supposed to start on the bench – appears the most likely replacement given Freddie Steward has been struggling with an ankle problem. Henry Slade could then assume the 23 jersey.

What’s your take on the Nations Championship?

Some of my colleagues are not too hot on the idea.

Here’s Michael Aylwin who cites player welfare as a reason why this whole thing is a bit much:

And Rob Kitson yearns for proper tours (like the one we’ll get later this year when New Zealand head to South Africa in what we should all call ‘The Ashes of rugby”):

Got to say, I’m with both of them.

I’m sticking with my prediction that this will be the game of the weekend.

Which means it’ll be one of the greatest games of all time (you’re welcome) as New Zealand just edged France in a proper humdinger!