Australia 31-33 Ireland: ‘Game-changer’ Hugo Keenan fires back for Ireland

Characteristically strong in the air and sharp with the ball in hand, Keenan was on fire at both ends of the pitch.

It was his crucial tackle that prevented Australia from leading 31-12 before half-time when he brought down Joseph-Aukuso Suali in front of the Irish tryline.

It wasn’t the Leinster back’s only defensive contribution, but it came at a critical time when the game was in danger of slipping away from the Irish and set the platform from which Jamieson Gibson-Park scored Ireland’s third try to leave the team just five points clear at the break.

Then, seven minutes after the restart, Keenan scored Ireland’s fourth goal, slipping elusively between two Wallaby defenders after an offload from Gary Ringrose.

In a must-see game that went down to the wire, the 30-year-old’s contributions did not go unnoticed.

Ireland and Ulster center James Hume “Hugo Keenan was very important, a real game changer in that game” Ireland said rugby social., outsider

“It was 33-31 and you had a guy who made three end-to-end tackles as well as a great try, a great line for that try under the stick.

“You have players on your team who show up in big games like that and they can be the difference.”