Ireland opened the second half on fire and after a series of rucks, O'Gara kicked high for the corner where winger Shane Horgan went high to field the ball and passed into flanker David Wallace, who in turn fed O'Gara following up his own kick, and the flyhalf spun over the line for a try. He missed the difficult conversion but Ireland trailed 11-8 after two minutes of play.
Ireland were in again just 10 minutes later when blindside flanker Neil Best crossed the line out wide for the try. O'Gara slotted the difficult conversion and Ireland were in the lead 15-11.
The Australians stormed back with lock Nathan Sharp nearly breaking the line twice, but from the sixth phase Gerrard came in as first receiver and cut through unopposed to score under the bar. Mortlock converted from in front and Australia reclaimed the lead 18-15 after 15 minutes.
Wallabies prop Greg Holmes seized the ball from an Ireland error and sprinted to score under the posts in what was the match turner. Mortlock converted and Australia leapt ahead 25-15 after 22 minutes of the second half.
Ireland threw everything into attack, running the ball out from inside their 22 and breaking downfield to pressure the Australian line, but the Australian defence held firm. And when skipper George Gregan slid through on the blind to score in a try the match was out of Ireland’s grasp.
The Wallabies completed the rout when a smart inside snap pass from Larkham sent replacement wing Cameron Shepherd slicing through the Irish defence for an easy try. Mortlock converted for a 37-15 lead and claim the Lansdowne Cup.
