IRELAND

15. Rob Kearney: 8
Might have been the hero if a sweetly struck drop goal had rebounded inside the near post, his aerial contest with Folau was a highlight throughout.

14. Tommy Bowe: 7.5
Ran fully 80 metres with the Aviva crowd on their feet cheering him all the way to the line after intercepting one of Nick Phipps’ wayward passes.

13. Robbie Henshaw: 7.5
Looks made for Test rugby, his fifth cap is another he’ll never forget. It didn’t click with D’Arcy in midfield but he fronted up making some huge hits in a resolute second half.

12. Gordon D’Arcy: 6.5
Potent Aussie runners were a challenge for the veteran centre and he looked groggy coming off but he fought for every inch. Payne, Madigan and Olding might be in for the Six Nations with Henshaw looking comfortable at either 12 or 13.

11. Simon Zebo: 7.5
Zebo! Zebo! The crowd chanted after he’d latched on to Sexton’s excellent cross-field kick in the left corner. The wing was visibly keen to make an impression, making 10 tackles including one try-saving hit in the last quarter. Forced things at times but there was more good than bad.

10. Jonathan Sexton: 9
Nailed six from seven off the kicking tee, including the 50 metre decider, and bombarded the Australian back three with a series of towering garryowens. Proved again that his defensive work is just as invaluable as his undoubted world class attacking.

9. Conor Murray: 7.5
Working in tandem with Sexton, Murray helped orchestrate Ireland’s flying start. Finished the game defending at out half despite taking a hefty blow to the head himself, which typified the Irish spirit.

1. Jack McGrath: 8
Cian who? Another outstanding performance in this series and the Australian pack, vastly improved on recent years, had little joy in the set piece contest.

2. Rory Best: 8.5
Superb first outing of November for the Ulster captain, there were a couple of skewed throws but his influence elsewhere made up for those and then some. Best ripped the ball, leading to the first score and he continued in that vein for an hour.

3. Mike Ross: 8
Ross probably deserves to put his feet up for a week at the end of an autumn series which has tested his physical condition with three starts in consecutive weeks. The ‘only tight-head in Ireland’ lasted 80 minutes, winning the set-piece battle with two crucial scrums late on.

4. Devin Toner: 6.5
A useful presence in the tight exchanges but Toner struggled with the fast pace when Australia stretched the Irish defence, Dave Foley’s fresh legs were required in the second half.

5. Paul O’Connell: 9
Simply outstanding – a match rating doesn’t do justice to the influence Paul O’Connell has on this group of players. The iconic moment of this match, like Ferris’ bear hug tackle’ on Genia in 2011, was the captain’s driving tackle knocking back Australian no.8 Ben McCalman right at the death. There are few words that can do an action like that justice.

6. Peter O’Mahony: 9
Well over double digits in the tackle stakes for the first time in a game of real significance, those 17 tackles and his threat at the ruck represent a superb solo effort against the Wallabies given their expansive tactics.

7. Rhys Ruddock: 8
His raw power matched the Aussies making for some huge collisions. In Chris Henry’s absence Ruddock has added more beef to the Irish back-row, growing with every performance.

8. Jamie Heaslip: 7.5
Took on the ball-carrying mantle this series, showing not only his versatility and extraordinary levels of fitness but the power which is still a huge part of his game.

Replacements: 8
Schmidt chose not to make changes for changes sake – the back-row for example played all 80 minutes – yet where the head-coach did make amendments, namely Cronin and Foley in the pack, they were effective. Eoin Reddan twice came on as a replacement with both half-backs taking knocks late on, while Madigan won a final penalty turnover which ended the relentless Wallaby challenge.

AUSTRALIA

15. Israel Folau: 8
Tested by Murray, Sexton and Kearney with a plethora of high-balls which limited his attacking potential, but still carried a dangerous threat when Australia moved it wide.

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper: 7
A hugely threatening backs-division had 103-capped Ashley-Cooper providing his considerable experience, solid as always.

13. Tevita Kuridrani: 7.5
Ireland benefitted when Kuridrani left the field, if the powerful act in Australia’s centre had stayed on beyond 45 minutes then perhaps the result might have been different such is his impressive form.

12. Matt Toomua: 7.5
During a twenty minute spell before half-time the Irish defence was at breaking point with Toomua at the heart of a few moves, three offloads from the Brumbie.

11. Henry Speight: 7.5
Showed why he’s one of the most highly rated wings in Super Rugby on a promising debut, another Brumbie who’s sure to make a huge impact on these shores in 12 months.

10. Bernard Foley: 7
Awarded a try which never should have been, Foley was nonetheless a solid operator at out-half despite missing a couple of sitters at the sticks.

9. Nick Phipps: 6.5
Evaded Irish challenges in scoring two first half tries, the second virtue of a nice supporting line, but there was some wayward passing from the base of the ruck which may point to a return for Will Genia next weekend.

1. James Slipper: 6.5
Quiet in the loose, the set piece was a battle which Australia ultimately lost despite their improvements in this area.

2. Saia Fainga’a: 7
One scrum lost against the head is a notable black mark and overshadows some accurate darts at the lineout.

3. Sekope Kepu: 7
Solid without causing Jack McGrath too much discomfort in the scrum, Australia’s tight-head made 11 tackles in his 70 minute stint.

4. Sam Carter: 7
There is an argument that Australia’s engine room remains a little lightweight to challenge the top nations for brute force. Carter could do worse than learn from his magnificent opponent O’Connell. More to come from the Brumbies lock.

5. Rob Simmons: 6.5
Approaching 50 caps the Queensland red was Australia’s primary target in the lineout, two lineouts were lost on their own throw.

6. Luke Jones: 7
Defensively sound, Jones made 10 tackles on his second cap. Enough to suggest he’ll stick around given tough competition in their back-row? Not sure.

7. Michael Hooper: 7.5
The pacey open-side made a few crucial ruck-time interventions and 14 tackles, his tank never empties but he wasn’t at his brilliant best – a potential match winner, Ireland limited his influence.

8: Ben McCalman: 8
Knocked back by O’Connell in full beast mode, but otherwise McCalman was the most impressive of the Wallaby loose-forwards with the ball, carrying 12 times for a total of 33 metres.

Replacements: 6
Despite long periods where Australia had upwards of 90% possession and territory the Australian trio of Genia, Cooper and Beale could not unlock the Irish defence. Will Skelton graced the field with his size 18 boots, all 140kg and 2.03m of him. He took some stopping, but stop him they did with a series of textbook low tackles around his ankles.

By Dave Blair (@vicsount_dave)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images