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.
‘One area where you can get to Ireland is the lineout'
Former New Zealand World Cup winner Sean Fitzpatrick, speaking on ITV: “How do you beat Ireland? We need to take the game to them, score tries, and upset their patterns. One area where you can get to them – one of the only areas! – is the lineout. The All Blacks can put pressure on them there.”
Gatland commits to Wales beyond World Cup
Warren Gatland has confirmed he wants to stay in his role and is already thinking ahead to the 2024 Six Nations, but it would be up to Welsh Rugby if they wanted to make a change.
"This is like an Eddie Jones question, is it?" Gatland joked. “I’m not too sure what’s in my contract. Absolutely (I want to stay). If the Union want to get rid of me, that’s up to them.”
The match was also a final one in a Welsh jersey for fly-half Dan Biggar, who previously announced his retirement after the World Cup.
“He’s been a great servant for Welsh rugby. He’s been through some incredible highs and some lows. For a youngster to come through and develop, that’s been special,” Gatland said.
Ireland v New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE
A few early pictures as the atmosphere builds in Paris tonight...
Wales 17-29 Argentina – reaction
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has described the referee change during his side’s quarter-final defeat to Argentina as “disruptive”.
Gatland’s side exited the Rugby World Cup after a 29-17 defeat in Marseille.
Karl Dickson, who began the game as an assistant, was pressed into duties with the whistle after referee Jaco Peyper suffered an injury after 15 minutes at the Stade Velodrome.
Dickson later decided that Guido Petti’s clearout of Nick Tompkins did not merit sanction, moments before Joel Sclavi punched over for a crucial score.
And while emphasising that he was not criticising Dickson, Gatland believes that the switch was significant.
Full story:
Warren Gatland reacts to ‘disruptive’ referee change after Wales defeat
Gatland believes that a switch of referee during the first half was significant as Wales went down to Argentina
Ireland v New Zealand referee
Who is the man in the middle tonight? It’s England’s Wayne Barnes:
Ireland vs New Zealand referee: Who is Rugby World Cup official Wayne Barnes?
The Englishman is one of the officials at the tournament
Zombie: Why Ireland’s Rugby World Cup anthem is causing controversy
Ireland have adopted the Cranberries’ 1994 hit ‘Zombie’ as an unofficial anthem at the ongoing Rugby World Cup but that decision has caused controversy.
As Ireland head into a blockbuster quarter-final against New Zealand in Paris on Saturday evening, aiming to win a World Cup knockout match for the first time in their history, victory will lead to ‘Zombie’ blasting out of the Stade de France PA system following the full-time whistle.
This is what happened following their brilliant 13-8 win over reigning champions South Africa in the pool stage of the tournament, as fans sung along with the anthem to create a spine-tingling moment.
But while ‘Zombie’ has been adopted due to its anthemic, sing-along qualities, the song’s history has caused some debate and controversy back over the Irish Sea.
Full story:
Zombie: Why Ireland’s Rugby World Cup anthem is causing controversy
The Cranberries’ protest song ‘Zombie’ has become a celebratory anthem for Ireland at the Rugby World Cup but some are unhappy with the lyrics
Ireland ready for ‘toughest game ever faced’
Johnny Sexton says Ireland are braced for the “toughest game we’ve ever faced” ahead of a mouthwatering Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand in Paris.
The world’s top-ranked nation are seeking an 18th consecutive win to reach the last four of the tournament for the first time.
Captain Sexton has faced the formidable All Blacks many times across his distinguished career, including leading his country to a historic tour success last summer.
“That’s what we’re preparing for: the toughest game we’ve ever faced and we’re trying to put ourselves in the frame of mind that we’re going to be ready for it,” he said.
Irish fans gripped by Rugby World Cup bid
Ireland’s impressive start to the Rugby World Cup may have broken television viewing records at home, but there were few indications walking around Dublin on Friday that the sports-mad country was gearing up for an even bigger night.
Signs outside pubs near the Aviva Stadium reminding passersby of Saturday’s showdown against New Zealand contained those two words, quarter-final, that strike fear into any Irish rugby fan.
An unwanted record as the only rugby power to have never gone beyond the quarter-finals haunts the Irish and has created a palpable sense of nervous anticipation, even as Andy Farrell’s side live up to their billing as the world’s top ranked team.
A local Guinness World Cup advertisement campaign of ‘Think It, Don’t Jinx It’ - accompanied in one TV spot by Irish singer Ronan Keating’s chorus of “You say it best, when you say nothing at all” - has proven extremely prescient.
“Oh my god, the nerves for tomorrow night,” said Kevin Arundel, chef and owner of the Chophouse gastropub around the corner from the Aviva Stadium, where the 54-year-old has not missed a game for nearly 20 years.
“I’m nervous because we’ve never done it and in the last World Cup, we went in as number one (as well). But this time we are genuinely number one in the world.”
Rugby is not quite as popular in Ireland as soccer or the Gaelic sports of football and hurling, but interest in the team is huge.
The nail-biting win over South Africa attracted the biggest television audience of the year so far for Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE, while last week’s demolition of Scotland was the most watched broadcast in rival station Virgin Media Television’s 25 year history.
Even its analysts sought to keep a lid on expectations. Ex-Ireland winger Shane Horgan’s declaration on Saturday of “If not now, when?” drew a momentary pause, then an eruption of nervous laughter in the studio before the presenter called “stop.”
Little else will get a look in this Saturday. Popular Irish band The Saw Doctors will take to the stage at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre an hour later than advertised at 10pm. Their support act? A big screen on stage showing the match.
“Please God, by three points,” said the Chophouse’s Arundel. “Even one will do.”
Conor Murray says New Zealand-born trio ‘so important’ to Ireland World Cup bid
Conor Murray believes New Zealand’s loss is Ireland’s gain as “world-class” trio Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe bid to give their native country serious cause for regret.
Centre Aki, scrum-half Gibson-Park and wing Lowe will face the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup for the first time after being selected to start tonight’s quarter-final showdown in Paris.
The three New Zealand-born backs qualified for Ireland on residency grounds and have become key performers for Andy Farrell’s side, including helping secure a landmark tour success over the Kiwis last summer.
Murray expects their personal circumstances to provide an extra edge to their performances at Stade de France.
“Those three boys are so important to our squad,” he said.
More:
Conor Murray says New Zealand-born trio ‘so important’ to Ireland World Cup bid
Native Kiwis Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe will face the All Blacks at the World Cup for the first time.
Ireland and All Blacks thrust into new roles for blockbuster quarter-final
The power dynamics have shifted in the Ireland-New Zealand rivalry ahead of their Rugby World Cup knockout clash but an Irish hoodoo remains. Preview by Luke Baker in Paris:
Ireland and All Blacks thrust into new roles for blockbuster World Cup quarter-final
The power dynamics have shifted in the Ireland-New Zealand rivalry ahead of their Rugby World Cup knockout clash but an Irish hoodoo remains
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