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9th July 2022
10:15am BST
James Lowe of Ireland is tackled by George Bower of New Zealand at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, in Dunedin. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Denied a certain try when he was tackled off the ball. Then left the field of play when he shipped a blow to the head.
Robbie Henshaw - 8
Ball cannoned off him inside the 22, on a crash-ball, to spurn a promising attacking position. Stunning read and tackle on Mo'unga, then gobbled up Ioane, to win a big penalty.
James Lowe - 7
Shanked a pass to knock-on inside the All Blacks' 22, when they were down to 13 men. Was turned over on a carry into the opposition 22, early in the second half. Showed up big-time in the lead-up to Porter's second try. Then threw the ball out of play, wasting a promising attack, but Ireland did have a penalty coming.
Johnny Sexton - 9
His range of passing was superb, and it was crucial in the build-up to the two Porter tries. Nailed all his kicks and was the man that made everything tick.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 8
Much better than Eden Park. Crisp passing when Ireland were in attack, and calmer head when scrambling and defence was needed. Had one skewed clearing kick. Won his side a turnover.
Andrew Porter - 8
Crashed over for the opening try. Did not have his own way against Bower at the scrums, again. Great strength to plough over for his second try, on 46 minutes. Was pinged at the scrum for a leg lift, on 64 minutes.
Dan Sheehan - 7
An all-action performance from a guy we're now getting used to doing this against the very best. Did err with a knock-on, after 62 minutes.
Tadhg Furlong - 8
Won his side a big scrum penalty, on 52 minutes. Some bullocking carries, straight up the guts.
Tadhg Beirne - 9
Made a fantastic, surging line-break into the AB's 22, to tee-up Ireland for an attack that led to the Porter try. Was much better at the breakdown, and much more physical around the park. Skittled Barrett just before Porter's second and was much more of a carrying threat. Held up the Kiwis, over the tryline.
James Ryan - 8
Crucial lineout steal inside his 22. Penalised for a breakdown infringement, just before half-time. Got pinged again, a minute later, and was sin-binned.
Peter O'Mahony - 9
Miraculously stayed in-field in the lead-up to the Porter try. Teamed up with van der Flier to win a vital turnover. Superb 50:22 kick stunned the ABs. Dived in to hold the ball up when New Zealand barrelled over the tryline.
Josh van der Flier - 9
Big, early line break helped gobble up metres before that Hansen try. Doubled up with O'Mahony to win a turnover, outside his own 22. Ripped the ball away for another turnover and prevented a late try by getting his hands under the ball.
Caelan Doris - 8
Soft hands put van der Flier through a gap in the black lines, early on. Won his side a penalty at the breakdown, on 13 minutes. Try-saving tap tackle on Jordie Barrett, even though he still had 60 metres to go, he would have been home and hosed. Hugely physical.
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