Ireland v New Zealand LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 score and result as All Blacks win epic quarter-final
The All Blacks produced a sensational performance to win an epic duel and knock out the world No 1-ranked Ireland
Ireland have been knocked out of the World Cup following a 28-24 quarter-final defeat to New Zealand at Stade de France.
The momentum of a tight match shifted in Ireland’s favour in the second half when they were awarded a penalty try after Codie Taylor collapsed a maul, bringing themselves back to within a point and their cause was further boosted when the All Blacks hooker was sin-binned for his infringement.
But 14-man New Zealand opened up a four-point cushion five minutes later when Jordie Barrett – who had missed a long-range attempt moments later – kicked a penalty from the 40-metre line.
Ireland, who had been playing catch-up for the majority of an exhilarating encounter, were unable to find the try they needed in the closing stages as the All Blacks held on to seal a 28-24 win and set up a last-four meeting with Argentina next Friday.
Follow all the reaction from Paris below, get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds here.
Ireland 17-18 New Zealand
43 min: A kicking exchange ends with Ireland picking up a loose ball and attacking down the right wing. Mack Hansen pulls off an unlikely 50-22 and Ireland will have a lineout in New Zealand territory...
Kick-off! Ireland 17-18 New Zealand
Peeeep! The second half is under way.
Half-time: Ireland 17-18 New Zealand
Speaking on ITV, Brian O’Driscoll says he thought Aaron Smith’s yellow card for denying a try-scoring opportunity with a deliberate knock-on was a little bit harsh. Certainly there was some cover for New Zealand and it was by no means a certain Irish try, but these things are subjective and referee Wayne Barnes didn’t seem in any doubt.
Half-time: Ireland 17-18 New Zealand
That was a joy to watch – both teams played some amazing rugby.
New Zealand started quickly, attacking the breakdown and forcing early penalties, before Beauden Barrett’s piece of genius – a clever kick over the Irish defence – which set up a beautiful try in the corner by Leicester Fainga’anuku. Ireland grew into the half and finished as the stronger side, with tries by Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park. Aaron Smith’s yellow card means Ireland will have several minutes at the start of the second half with a player advantage, too.
Half-time: Ireland 17-18 New Zealand
Breathless stuff at the Stade de France. A solitary point separates them.
Try! Ireland 17-18 New Zealand (Gibson-Park)
39 min: Sexton’s attacking gamble pays off! Ireland collect the lineout and create a maul. From there, scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park darts for the line, throwing a dummy pass before finding a gap and diving over the try line.
Sexton kicks the two.
Yellow card! New Zealand (Smith)
36 min: Ireland are awarded a penalty in the All Blacks’ half for a deliberate knock-on, and TMO checks whether Aaron Smith was stopping a scoring opportunity... he was, and he’s shown a yellow card! Ten minutes in the sin bin.
Sexton was going to kick for the posts and three points, but now he wants more and he kicks to the corner for a lineout instead... A big moment.
Try! Ireland 10-18 New Zealand (Savea)
33 min: Sure enough, New Zealand take full advantage with a 50-22 kick which puts them right in position. They work through a few phases under the posts before flinging the ball out to the right touchline where Savea is waiting to run it into the corner.
Mo’unga misses the kick.
Ireland 10-13 New Zealand
32 min: Ardie Savea is penalised for holding on at the breakdown and not releasing the ball. Ireland kick deep and have a lineout in good attacking position, but they can’t win the set-piece – that’s two or three now that Ireland have lost, and it’s a weakness the All Blacks are exploiting.
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