How about that then?
Ireland ended 111 years of pain by rocking the All Blacks 40-29 at Soldier Field, Chicago. They ran in five tries and crushed any comeback hopes the world champions had with a late surge.
Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green.
Rob Kearney – 9
What a game from Kearney. This guy has still got it. So many supreme aerial takes and line breaks. A pleasure to watch. Did slip for Scott Barrett’s try and gave away a late penalty for holding on in the tackle.
Andrew Trimble – 9
Featured an awful lot in defence and made his presence felt. Lost one under the high ball but scrambled back well to make a nice hit on George Moala. His highlight moment was a sublime tackle around the ankles of a charging Julian Savea. Won a big turnover with 10 minutes left.
Jared Payne – 8
An immense game in defence. He was all over the pitch, directing his backline and making big hits.
Robbie Henshaw – 9
Huge defence from Henshaw. So many big hits and crucial interventions. Let the All Blacks feel every ounce of him. Still there at the death to get that matchwinning try.
Simon Zebo – 8
A sight to behold in the air. Epic, aerial takes. Stayed patient for his try and defended like a tiger.
Johnny Sexton – 8
His first kick was from the same position as his 2013 blip. He nailed it. Keen as hell in defence and menaced the All Blacks with kicks, dinks, slick passes and threatening lines.
Conor Murray – 10
This lad is WORLD CLASS. Sold Aaron Smith down the river for his try, put up some steepling kicks and even stepped up to nail a conversion.
Jack McGrath – 9
What’s his name?! The Kiwi journalists mistook him for Rory Best ahead of the game. That will never happen again. Great in the scrum, won early turnovers and showed up all over the park.
Rory Best – 9
Led from the front and stayed out there until late in the piece. Heart of an Ulster lion. Breakdown work was top notch. Won at least two turnovers.
Tadhg Furlong – 10
He has arrived. Gave it his all for 55 minutes. One stand-out tackle on Ben Smith after pegging it 80 metres on the kick-chase. Scrummed like a champ too.
Devin Toner – 9
Such a physical outing from the buzz-cut second row. Huge lineout claims set up so many damaging, rolling mauls.
Donnacha Ryan – 9
Such a big, bruising game. A leader of men. Big carries and some amazing breakdown work.
CJ Stander – 9
The moment he took on Jerome Kaino and won will be remembered for years. Brought so much drive and determination to the Irish side.
Jordi Murphy – 9
There were questions about whether he merited his place in the back row but he answered that emphatically. Wrecked Kiwi heads, was a beast on the deck and got over for a vital try after a lovely maul.
Jamie Heaslip – 10
Emptied himself out there. Was dead on his feet in the last 10 minutes but sucked it up and carried on. That switch pass for Henshaw’s try…. Wow.
Replacements
Josh van der Flier (for Murphy ’25) – 8
Finished what Murphy started.
Finlay Bealham (for Furlong ’55) – 8
This lad is something else. Huge shift in a short spell.
Joey Carbery (for Sexton ’59) – 8
Had fun out there. Got himself a conversion too.
Healy (for McGrath ’60) – 8
Carried and carried hard in his stint.
Dillane (for Toner ’64) – 8
Huge carries when Ireland needed to get back on the front foot.
Cronin (for Best ’67) – 8
Impact.
Who are the winners of the much-coveted 2016 Wooly Awards? Find out in our GAA Hour Special
