Ireland 26 Australia 23: player ratings

Rob Kearney 7/10

Excelled, but this could have been his greatest game for Ireland.

Missed a couple of tackles, understandably steered clear of aerial duels with Israel Folau and hit the post with a drop at goal.

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Jamie Heaslip 8/10 - Did the little things, like scooping up a loose ball to carry Luke Jones on his back to get Ireland back on the front foot, and maintained the integrity of Ireland’s defensive line.

Tommy Bowe 8/10

Brilliant intercept try, a 14 point swing, to confirm he’s almost back to the form of a few seasons ago. Dogged and still vital to the cause.

Robbie Henshaw 6/10

Will learn more from Matt Toomua flooding his channel than any other game in his life. He passed the test. Late clearing kick was important and eked out some precious metres.

Gordon D’Arcy 5/10

Ian Madigan and Stuart Olding are circling the ageing alpha. Took enormous punishment - smashed four times as he carried flat ball into bigger men - and eventually forced ashore with concussion.

Simon Zebo 8/10

Best game in a green jersey. 10 tackles, two turnovers and destroyed Nick Phipps when chasing Sexton’s kick for the first try. Deserves forgiveness for the failed offload that led to Australia’s first try.

Jonathan Sexton 7/10

Really poor 10 minute spell saw him overcook three garryowens but it was a clear tactic. Created Zebo’s try, landed six from seven shots at goal before stunned into submission making his tenth heroic tackle.

Conor Murray 7/10

Irreplaceable. Eoin Reddan’s four minute cameo - while Murray was passing the concussion test - accentuated the importance of his kicking game and physical presence, particularly in defence.

Jack McGrath 7/10

Great November. Cian Healy will return for both Leinster and Ireland but a 30 minute cameo from St Mary's finest now feels essential come the Six Nations and world cup.

Rory Best 8/10

Two crooked throws aside, phenomenal performance considering recent calf problem as he immediately re-established himself as Ireland’s best hooker with effectiveness to rival the flankers.

Mike Ross 7/10

Scragged Tevita Kuridrani so hard the big centre was forced off while his 75th minute mincing of James Slipper ended any debate about the scrum master on show.

Devin Toner 5/10

Poor game. Put himself about as always but fell off four tackles, missing Nick Phipps for both tries and was offside for Bernard Foley’s penalty that put the Wallabies 20-17 ahead.

Paul O’Connell 8/10

Epic. That heavy, trucking smash of Ben McCalman was one of a half dozen kings hits from Ireland’s immortal captain. Lineout needs fixing.

Peter O’Mahony 8/10

Relentless, crazed. Freakish defensive showing, he almost seems to react to a big play from O’Connell with one of his own.

Rhys Ruddock 8/10

Great game, arguably out playing O'Connell and O'Mahony, showing a remarkable ability to adapt from blind to open-side flanker. Refused to allow Michael Hooper dominate the breakdown.

Jamie Heaslip 8/10

Did the little things , like scooping up a loose ball to carry Luke Jones on his back to get Ireland back on the front foot, and maintained the integrity of Ireland’s defensive line.

Replacements 7/10

Ian Madigan came in for a concussed Sexton to tackle like a man utterly transformed from his defensive showings last season. Sean Cronin is the ultimate impact forward. Dave Foley's a test lock now.

Coach 8/10

The tactics were to kick long, or chip over the Australian cover, basically avoid Israel Folau yet invite the visitors to run from their own territory and trust the defence. It worked.