Australia and Ireland once again served up a riveting Test match, but once again it was dominated by talk about the inconsistency of the officials. Last week, for example, when Ireland collapsed a maul in front of their own line, Australia were awarded a penalty try and Ireland had a player sent to the bin. When Australia did it to Ireland in the second half today, however, the decision was just a penalty. While CJ Stander crashed across the line from the resulting lineout, the decision did cost Ireland on the scoreline: Johnny Sexton missing his conversion meant Ireland registered five points, rather than the automatic seven for a penalty try.
Sexton clashed with the referee throughout the game, and unfortunately for Pascal Gaüzère, the Irish out-half was promoted to the captaincy after Peter O'Mahony left the field through injury.
During the review of that incident, which ended with Folau being sent to the sin-bin, Sexton introduced himself as the new captain in trademark fashion.
I know you hate me, but you have to talk to me.
Sexton: “I know you hate me, but you have to talk to me” pic.twitter.com/luqzOMAtPF
— Colin Harmon (@dublinbarista) June 23, 2018
Johnny, having been tossed from pillar to post in the final ten minutes, then stood up to nail the game-securing penalty to steer Ireland to a first series win in Australia since 1979. The game ended with a polite 'thank you' from Sexton to the referee as he rightly did not penalise Jacob Stockdale late on.
