New Zealand v Ireland LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Ireland make history by winning deciding Test
Follow reaction as Ireland make history by beating the All Blacks in a titanic series decider
A courageous Ireland held off a fierce All Blacks fightback to claim an epic 32-22 win in the series-deciding third test in Wellington on Saturday.
Beaten in the opening test at Eden Park, Ireland completed rare back-to-back victories over New Zealand following their win in the second match at Dunedin.
It was not only a first series victory in New Zealand for the Irish but the first time the All Blacks have lost a series on home soil since 1994.
Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw all crossed in the first half as the visitors surged into a 22-3 lead but the All Blacks hit back and got to within three points. But Rob Herring’s try 15 minutes from time proved decisive as Andy Farrell led his men to an historic triumph.
Follow live reaction from New Zealand vs Ireland in the series decider, below:
Australia 17-21 England, 78 minutes
England are in full-on game management mode. A slow developing maul wastes time. Jack van Poortvliet skews his first box kick more up than onwards, and Henry Arundell might have been offside chasing it, but is not spotted, and eventually gets underneath it. Van Poortvliet utilises his right boot again, this time more effectively - out of play inside the Australia 22, from where the Wallabies will launch their last offensive.
Australia 17-21 England, 77 minutes
Three minutes to play. Australia go to their last throw of the dice - on debut, Suliasi Vunivalu, who can be dynamite in the open field if his teammates can give the wing a sniff.
Australia 17-21 England, 76 minutes
Penalty to England! Marika Koroibete roams as he has all evening, thinking he spies space by a ruck, but running into only a brick wall of Courtney Lawes and Luke Cowan-Dickie.
There’s not a gold shirt in sight as Koroibete is turtled, and Cowan-Dickie punches the air in delight as the whistle blows and is rewarded for another timely England jackal.
Australia 17-21 England, 75 minutes
Into the final five minutes as Australia explore the width of the SCG pitch. The two replacement flankers, Pete Samu and Rob Leota, lurk on the extremes, each marching on after good handling from the backs. Leota combines with Folau Fainga’a well.
Australia 17-21 England, 74 minutes
A little bit conservative from England, allowing Australia to stall them too easily with a meek maul drive. Australia’s scrum.
Hard yards from Samu Kerevi! A stinging carry up the centre and fissures begin to open in the England defence.
Australia 17-21 England, 72 minutes
Fierce defence from England! Ferocious stuff from the visitors, slamming back Australia’s strike runners in succession, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete making little progress before Rob Valetini picks the lean but muscular pair of Nick Isiekwe and Courtney Lawes, predictably making limited progress.
Lawes is soon back on his feet, and feeding on the carrion - an expert jackal, and a penalty to England. He’s been excellent, again.
Australia 17-21 England, 70 minutes
Henry Arundell comes on for England as their forwards assemble themselves for the lineout.
What’s the call? Front ball, Courtney Lawes up briskly up the front, and a very solid set-piece from England. A ten-metre drive allows Jack van Poortvliet an easy enough clearance.
Australia 17-21 England, 68 minutes
Superb from Australia! They’ve caused problems up the right all evening, this time a lofted miss ball from Samu Kerevi hitting Tom Wright in stride, allowing the wing to sprint up the touchline. A quick interchange of passes and the ball is back in Wright’s hands, but he can’t then find inside support to open up the England backfield.
To their credit, the English defence reset relatively speedily. Kerevi, though, shows yet more skill, dropping ball to boot and prodding a well-directed grubber into the corner. England lineout five metres from their own line.
Australia 17-21 England, 68 minutes
Nick Isiekwe replaces Ollie Chessum, who has had some good moments on his first start in the England second row. Australia are forced to call James Slipper back into action as Angus Bell becomes the latest Wallaby to leave the field in pain in this bruising series.
Jack Willis is on for England, too, and beats one defender on his first rumble, before England kick the ball away.
TRY! AUSTRALIA 17-21 England (Folau Fainga’a try, 66 minutes)
This time Australia are over! Two more penalisable offences are committed by England at the maul, but Australia keep things tight. Their front row have provided plenty of red-zone punch all series, and Angus Bell first carries in a forthright manner to move Australia within three metres.
Michael Hooper keeps the speed of ball high, wriggling his arms free to afford Tate McDemott quick access. The scrum-half’s sharp pass is to Folau Fainga’a, who won’t be stopped from close range.
Over goes Noah Lolesio’s conversion.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments