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 10-21 England, 65 minutes
A try-saving tackle from Freddie Steward! Brilliant from the England full-back, attacking the ankles of Pete Samu as the replacement flanker rushes up the touchline, forcing Samu out before he can reach out for the line.
Courtney Lawes is warned about England’s discipline as Australia again kick for touch.
Australia 10-21 England, 63 minutes
Again there is nothing doing at the maul, but Australia manage to retrieve the ball from the middle of it, and they’ll try and bash through with close-in carries. Pete Samu provides a beefy one, and now the advantage is coming, allowing Australia more freedom...
Australia 10-21 England, 62 minutes
Another penalty to Australia. Lewis Ludlam jackals superbly, but Marcus Smith has failed to roll away. This time the Wallabies will visit the right corner in search of more fertile ground and their plough got stuck on the left.
Australia 10-21 England, 61 minutes
England’s scrum looks to be struggling again, but the officials are content to let them play on. Jack van Poortvliet’s clearance isn’t the best - a metre outside his own 22.
In a bid to steady the set piece, Eddie Jones introduces Joe Heyes. Will Stuart’s solid series, barring injury or incident, is over.
Australia 10-21 England, 60 minutes
England whoop and holler - turnover, scrum feed for the visitors! Tate McDermott is the latest Wallaby introduced and the scrum-half barks at his forwards, but the maul goes down under its own steam initially, and Australia then drive rather curiously right into the jumbled mound, from where the ball will not emerge.
Australia 10-21 England, 58 minutes
Changes for both teams. For Australia: Dave Porecki off / Folau Fainga’a on Harry Wilson off / Pete Samu; and for England: Ellis Genge off / Mako Vunipola on.
Vunipola and Fainga’a pack down in the front row for a scrum, and Vunipola is immediately under pressure from Allan Alaalatoa. Somehow the loosehead is not penalised, but a swarmed Jack van Poortvliet at the back is. Penalty to Australia - which Reece Hodge kicks into the corner rather than narrowing the gap from bang in front.
TRY! Australia 10-21 ENGLAND (Marcus Smith try, 55 minutes)
Marcus Smith won’t be caught! Away the England fly-half scampers and he slides over!
Australia’s lineout is disrupted by Jonny Hill, untidy ball scuttling across the SCG surface in to midfield. Luke Cowan-Dickie and a couple of Australian arms grasp at it, sending it onwards further, hopping invitingly for Smith.
He’s quick, the Harlequins fly-half, and Australia aren’t able to reel him in. Owen Farrell adds the conversion.
Australia 10-14 England, 54 minutes
Nearly for England! Tidy attacking play, Will Stuart pulling back niftily at the line and then Marcus Smith picking Ollie Chessum on the short line. Nic White does superbly to chop the long-striding lock down, and an isolated Chessum hurries back to his feet without releasing.
Australia 10-14 England, 52 minutes
Australia swap their props: Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa in; James Slipper and Taniela Tupou out.
Marcus Smith holds Samu Kerevi in a midfield tackle but the centre’s charge sets a nice platform for Australia to then play wide. Marika Koroibete has to stoop, though, to collect a pass, which just stalls him ever so slightly, enabling Jack Nowell to sprint across in time to force Koroibete’s boots acros the touchline.
Australia 10-14 England, 51 minutes
Australia win ball in the air, but Luke Cowan-Dickie somehow pilfers it at the resulting breakdown just before leaving his feet. There’s space in behind as Tommy Freeman looks up, but his prod towards it skews into touch on the roll.
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