# 1979 Ireland rugby union tour of Australia

The 1979 Ireland rugby union tour of Australia was a series of eight matches played by the Ireland national rugby union team in Australia in May and June 1979.
The tour was one of Ireland's most successful to date. Ireland won seven of the eight matches they played, including both tests against Australia. The only defeat came against Sydney. The tour also marked a notable episode in the rivalry between the two Ireland fly halves, Tony Ward and Ollie Campbell. Ward had been an ever present during both the 1978 and 1979 Five Nations Championships and he also played in the early games during this tour. However he was then dropped before the first test in favour of Campbell. Campbell subsequently emerged as man of the tour, setting an Irish record when he scored 60 points during the remaining games. On 3 June in Brisbane he scored 19 points, helping Ireland to a 27–12 victory. Campbell scored four penalties, one drop goal and converted two Colin Patterson tries. In the second test on 16 June Campbell scored two drop goals and a penalty as Ireland won 9–3. These two tests also marked the beginning and the end of the careers of two Ireland rugby legends. The first test saw the debut of Ciaran Fitzgerald while the second saw Mike Gibson make his final Ireland appearance. While on this tour Ned Byrne was the victim of a hit and run road accident which left his leg broken in three places.

## Matches

    Scores and results list Ireland's points tally first.
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue |
| Western Australia | 39 | 3 | 20 May | Perry Lakes Stadium, Perth |
| Australian Capital Territory | 35 | 7 | 23 May | Manuka Oval, Canberra |
| New South Wales | 16 | 12 | 26 May | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney |
| Queensland | 18 | 15 | 29 May | Ballymore, Brisbane |
| Australia | 27 | 12 | 3 June | Ballymore, Brisbane |
| New South Wales Country | 28 | 7 | 5 June | Wade Park, Orange |
| Sydney | 12 | 16 | 9 June | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney |
| Australia | 9 | 3 | 16 June | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |

## Test matches

* 3 June 1979
| Australia | 12–27 | Ireland |
| Tries: Brendan Moon Con: Paul McLean Pen: Paul McLean (2) | | Tries: Colin Patterson (2) Con: Ollie Campbell (2) Pen: Ollie Campbell (4) Drop Goal: Ollie Campbell |
* Ballymore, Brisbane Attendance: 16,500 Referee: R G Byres (Australia)
* 16 June 1979
| Australia | 3–9 | Ireland |
| Tries: Con: Pen: Paul McLean | | Pen: Ollie Campbell Drop Goals: Ollie Campbell (2) |
* SCG, Sydney Attendance: 33,476 Referee: R. G. Byres (Australia)

## Touring party

* Manager: J. Coffey
* Assistant Manager: Noel Murphy
* Medical Officer: T.C.J. O’Connell
* Captain: Fergus Slattery

### Backs

| Paul Andreucetti (St Mary's College) Ollie Campbell (Old Belvedere) Frank Ennis (Wanderers) Mike Gibson (NIFC) David Irwin (Queen's University) Terry Kennedy (St Mary's College) | Freddie McLennan (Wanderers) Paul McNaughton (Greystones) John Moloney (St Mary's College) Rodney O'Donnell (St Mary's College) Colin Patterson (Instonians) Tony Ward (Garryowen) |

### Forwards

| Ned Byrne (Blackrock College) Christy Cantillon (Cork Constitution) Willie Duggan (Blackrock College) Ciaran Fitzgerald (St Mary's College) Mick Fitzpatrick (Wanderers) Brendan Foley (Shannon) Moss Keane (Lansdowne) | Alan McLean (Ballymena) Gerry McLoughlin (Shannon) John O'Driscoll (London Irish) Philip Orr (Old Wesley) Fergus Slattery (Blackrock College) Harry Steele (Ballymena) Pat Whelan (Garryowen) |