Full Ireland player ratings as history made on magical night in New Zealand

Patrick McCarry

NEW ZEALAND 12-23 IRELAND

For the first time in their 117 Test rugby history, Ireland have beaten New Zealand on their home patch. Our full Ireland player ratings show just how well these men in green played.

For the second weekend in a row, Ireland started like a train and got an early try. Johnny Sexton converted Andrew Porter’s bullocking score, added a penalty, soon after, and the tourists were 10-0 ahead.

Then, 10 minutes of madness when referee Jaco Peyper lost the run of the game. Leicester Fainga’anuku was yellow-carded for a high hit on Mack Hansen. Garry Ringrose was denied a certain try by an off-the-ball tackle. Then replacement prop Angus Ta’avao was red-carded for a head-on collision that ended both his game and the Leinster centre’s.

New Zealand survived a big spell of Irish pressure and bounded up the far end of the pitch to score a Beauden Barrett try, under the posts. After a dominant Irish half, Andy Farrell’s side only led 10-7.

James Lowe of Ireland is tackled by George Bower of New Zealand at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, in Dunedin. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

Andrew Porter strikes again

And, once again, Ireland started the second half as well as they had at Eden Park. They tore into the Kiwis and, after great attacking play from Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Beirne, Andrew Porter battered over for a second try.

Two more Sexton penalties put Ireland well clear and it was left to stout defence to see out a historic victory on New Zealand turf. There was a late Will Jordan try, but it was not to be for the second-best hosts.

Here are our full Ireland player ratings from a night to remember in Dunedin.

IRELAND PLAYER RATINGS

Hugo Keenan – 7

Tidy in all he did on the pitch. Kicked well and made some bright carries.

Mack Hansen – 7

Lovely aerial take, early on. Made two brilliant carries before that opening Andrew Porter try. Tackled well, when required.

Garry Ringrose – 6

Ireland player ratings

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

Ireland player ratings

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.