Suncorp Australian Schoolboys defeat Ireland A U19

The Suncorp Australian Schoolboys had an emphatic 51-18 win over the Ireland A Under 19s in Dublin on the second last match of their tour early this morning (Australian time).

The match was played on the warmest day of the tour - 9 degrees Celcius - on a firm Donnybrook pitch which enabled the Australian team, comprised mainly of the non-Test players, to show excellent form.

However Australia were running into the wind in the first half and made an unsteady start, down 8-0 after only eight minutes.  This setback acted as a wake up call and they quickly responded with a penalty, two tries and a conversion. The Irish, who classified this match as a "friendly", were not going to lie down and scored again with a try just before half time, pruning Australia’s lead back to 15-13 at half time.

The Australians turned with the wind, made some tactical substitutions and settled down to use the conditions for field position. The confidence returned and for probably the first time on tour they dominated the second stanza.

The forwards, ably led with strong displays by locks Daniel Linde and Sam Wykes, secured the possession for the backs to pile on all the tries.

Outstanding displays came from centre Rowan Kellam with his hat trick of tries, flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, fullback Lachlan Turner and scrumhalf Ben Lucas.

All points were destined to be scored by the backs, including a try to new arrival Matt Schwager, until prop Daniel Roach blocked out the regular goal kicker to pirate the last points with a sitter in front.

Centre Brando Vaaulu had to be replaced in the starting team by Andrew Barrett when he strained a hamstring during the warm up. This injury was worsened when he eventually played as a substitute.

Interestingly, at the same time the match was being played, the Irish Schoolboy selectors were conducting a trial match to select the Irish Schoolboy team on a nearby field at Blackrock College.

This is the first tour of the UK and Ireland that the Australia Schoolboys will not enjoy the traditional fixture against the Irish Schoolboys. They will instead play the Ireland Under 19 team on Wednesday in the last match of their tour.

Suncorp Australian Schools 51 (Rowan Kellam 3, Kurtley Beale 2, Matt Schwager, Andrew Barrett, Peter Betham tries; Rowan Kellam 2, Ben Lucas, Daniel Roach cons, Ben Lucas pen) defeated Ireland Under 19 'A' 18 (Keith Earls, Sean Carey, Gerard Slattery tries; Niall O'Connor pen)

Australian team

Reserves