Ireland vs. Australia: Score and Report from Autumn Rugby International

Ireland sealed a 26-23 victory over Australia on Saturday to finish their 2015 autumn international series with a 100 percent winning record. 

The Dublin hosts surged into a 17-0 lead after just 15 minutes and had to withstand a resurgent fightback from the Wallabies, but the boot of Johnny Sexton ultimately gave them their marginal victory, per Guardian Sport:

Joe Schmidt will have been overjoyed with the vigour and initiative his side showed inside the game's opening exchanges, but the Ireland coach will also consider this a game comprising many lessons.

From the start, it was clear the Irish were hoping to open the pitch up and play a more expansive game against Michael Cheika's men. Sexton's creativity in particular was hailed as the base of Simon Zebo's opening try, per ESPN Scrum:

Just two minutes after one of their wings had soared over, Tommy Bowe added another try to Ireland's name after ghosting through Australian lines, Sexton converting both.

The tables quickly turned, however, and it's possible that some of those less experienced minds among the home outfit allowed complacency to settle in as the Wallabies stormed back.

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

Three tries in 13 minutes for Australia saw the visitors even take the lead at 20-17, the half-back pairing of Nick Phipps, who scored two, and other scorer Bernard Foley working in fluid manner.

Murray Kinsella of The Score hailed the Australians' use of their flanks as a weapon against Ireland, showing that while the likes of Zebo and Bowe were in stellar form offensively, some defensive doubts may yet exist:

The two teams went in at the half-time interval tied at 20 points apiece, Schmidt by far the angrier of the two helmsmen after watching his side's massive lead cut down to nothing.

The Aviva Stadium was left yearning for more of the same high-octane drama in the second period, but both teams showed a far more conscious, stricter style of play.

Either through fatigue or a change in tactics, the packs played a far more pivotal role in the second half. Ireland No. 8 Jamie Heaslip spoke of the fixture's tempo being one of the fastest in his career, per Rugby Dump:

Sexton and Foley would account for the only points of the second half as both sides were forced to take pot shots against one another, trying their best to unearth an edge but each being met with equal force.

Ruckin Good Stats illustrates that Cheika may well look to see his side be more efficient when threatening in future, while Ireland conceded what Schmidt will surely see as too much wasted ball:

Sexton's final strike came in the 63rd minute, leaving a tense and tetchy period to be played as Ireland sought to guard their lead, doing so through a torrent of Wallabies pressure.

For Ireland, it's a case of job done before attention turns to the Six Nations, while Australia now prepare for their tour climax against England next Saturday.

With an emerging generation of new international stars, Schmidt can be especially hopeful regarding the way in which his team is taking shape heading into a Rugby World Cup year. 

Cheika has his share of stars, too, but a second narrow defeat in as many weeks isn't encouraging confidence within Australia's ranks.