IRELAND 13-23 NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand have defeated Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
A Will Jordan try and 18 points from the boot of Damian McKenzie has earned the All Blacks a precious win at the Aviva Stadium.
This one looked poised for fireworks when Rieko Ioane led a passionate Haka pre-match.
However, it took a long time for the game to get going, with an undercooked looking Irish team failing to deliver against an impressive New Zealand side in testing conditions.
Jack Crowley and McKenzie exchanged kicks in the early stages of the match and Josh Van der Flier scored just after the break to give Ireland a real shot at victory.
But the visitors rallied. First through a series of McKenzie penalties and then a decisive try from winger Will Jordan.
Ireland attempted to claw their way back in the closing stages but an error-ridden display was never going to be enough against the 2023 Rugby World Cup finalists.
IRELAND PLAYER RATINGS
Hugo Keenan – 6
Solid as ever in the backfield, just wasn’t able to show his full hand tonight.
Mack Hansen – 6
Ireland failed to maximise his ability under intense All Black pressure.
Garry Ringrose – 7
Made a huge hit on his opposite number Ioane early on to set the tone. Involved in Ireland’s best passages.
Bundee Aki – 6
Was visibly pumped as he faced the Haka and brought an aggression to Ireland’s defence.
James Lowe– 7
One of his quieter Ireland outings until he delivered an outrageous 50/22 in the 73rd minute.
Jack Crowley – 6
Replaced by Ciarán Frawley early in the second half after a decent display. Frawley struggled.
Jamison Gibson Park – 7
Tried to inject life into Ireland’s attack but Farrell’s men failed to be as fluid as usual.
Andrew Porter– 6
No such scrum nightmare tonight. The All Blacks showed more muscle up front, however.
Ronan Kelleher – 6
Industrious display around the park. Ireland needed one of his magic moments but it never came.
Finlay Bealham– 6
Replaced by Tom O’Toole before the hour mark but swiftly returned after O’Toole took a blow. A reliable deputy.
Joe McCarthy – 7
Offered real aggression and muscle while on the pitch. A shame that he ran out of steam in the second half.
James Ryan – 6
Effective around the park on a challenging night versus an excellent All Black pack.
Tadhg Beirne – 6
Better than he’s shown for Munster this season but we know he has more in the tank.
Josh Van Der Flier – 8
Scored a well deserved try early in the second half. Industrious, powerful, robust.
Caelan Doris – 7
Ireland’s captain was one of the better performers tonight. Still, not quite at the elite standard he and his teammates set for themselves.
