Normal, poxy, brutal service resumes.
Ireland were cut adrift by a Beauden Barrett masterclass and some of the worst refereeing and video reviewing we’ve had the misfortune of witnessing in the past decade. Okay, we’ll a little biased but Ireland were ripped the hell off.
Barrett and Malakai Fekitoa were the chief punishers for the All Blacks and Ireland could not even get over for a consolation tries. The world champs were not having it. 21-9 and revenge gained.
Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green.
Rob Kearney – 5
No real highlight real moments s the All Blacks cut out the up-and-under aerial game. Was aimed for by the AB runners but, for the most part, made his tackles stick.
Andew Trimble – 6
Got laid to waste in one collision with Savea. One excellent high take and some fierce kick-chases. So rarely features as an attacking option – simply the man hanging on the touchline.
Jared Payne – 7
Tackled like a dog and forced a couple of turnovers. Switched to 12 when Henshaw went off.
Robbie Henshaw – N/A
Targeted again by the Kiwis and it worked a treat. Stretchered off before the 10th minute.
Simon Zebo – 8
Our best attacking threat when he showed up on the left AND right wings. The All Blacks had him well watched but he still punched holes.
Johnny Sexton – 5
Missed him dreadfully when he limped off. We need to get his hamstring issue sorted, once and for all.
Not a popular decision https://t.co/4conTLLKbv
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 19, 2016
Conor Murray – 6
They got to him a couple of times around the fringes. Taste of his own medicine – made him worry about his own game. Done for that Barrett try. One great high take almost set up a Zebo try.
Jack McGrath – 6
Quieter than Chicago but he still threw himself about. Scrum had a slight edge.
Rory Best – 8
This was a heroic outing from the Ireland captain. Played his hard out and scrapped for every single yad. Won some big turnovers too.
Tadhg Furlong – 9
Huge game. On the Lions radar now. Early tackle on Savea out wide shows how mobile he is. Sat plenty of All Blacks down, scrummed well, tackled like a demon and even claimed a lineout with one hand.
WHAT. A. MOMENT!!!
Tadhg Furlong sits down three All Blacks in a row.
We needed that— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 19, 2016
Devin Toner – 7
Much tougher time of it at the lineout. Clearing out of rucks was as important as ever and he was the reliable man for a two-metre carry when Ireland needed to re-group.
Donnacha Ryan – 6
Was he up for that anthem or what?! Fell off an early tackle in the lead-up to Fekitoa’s try. Horsed himself into everything for an hour before he was called ashore.
CJ Stander – 5
Made a few decent carries but was well marshalled. Went off after 30 minutes after getting concussed.
Sean O’Brien – 8
19 flipping carries. So, so close to a superb try but Barrett hauled him down a yard short. Charged about like a man possessed and tackled everything in black with a pulse. Shame he could not hold on to that ball from the lineout as it would have been a certain score.
Jamie Heaslip – 9
Keeps getting better, this man. Stunning offload almost had O’Brien in and over. Stood up to the challenge and bloodied noses. Constantly showed for the ball. 14 strong carries. Urged his men on until the death.
Replacements
S Cronin – 5
A couple of bulling runs.
Healy – 6
Put himself about. One memorable, heaving clear-out.
Henderson – 5
Struggled to impose himself.
van der Flier – 7
One superb turnover. One spilled pass. One offload that he should not have tried. An awful lot of tackling and carries [14] in between.
Marmion – N/A
Came on late in the piece.
Jackson – 5
Tidy, kicked well but too safe for this sort of game
Ringrose – 6
They pierced his defence a couple of times but he got better as the night went on. 14 carries and a couple of nice line breaks.
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
