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:
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 80 minutes
Peter O’Mahony is in floods of tears, part celebration, part disbelief. The Ireland squad assemble on the touchline, ready to charge on to join the jollification as the pack launches into the final scrummage.
It’s steady. Ireland have won a series in New Zealand!
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 79 minutes
Knocked on by Akira Ioane! Ireland will win the series!
New Zealand tapped quickly, as they had to, inside their own 22, but the bodies are weary, the minds fatigued. Ioane is a half-beat to slow to rumble on to a floated pass and the ball tumbles forward from his left paw. Ireland scrum with less than a minute to play.
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 78 minutes
Which Ireland gather in relative comfort. Caelan Doris and James Ryan carry strongly, and securely, but Ireland are in search of a kill shot. Keith Earls is lifted a lovely pass by Joey Carbery and skips between tacklers.
New Zealand have a penalty! A last chance as Ireland hold on on the floor.
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 77 minutes
This is outstanding from Ireland, keeping the All Blacks at bay. Beauden Barrett’s chip bounces with menace but ricochets for Hugo Keenan, and James Lowe’s poke into the All Blacks’ in-goal will force the men in black to kick a goalline drop out.
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 76 minutes
That’s Beirne’s last act - he looks exhausted as Kieran Treadwell replaces him. Johnny Sexton is done, too, with Joey Carbery on to the park.
And Carbery’s first involvement is an intercept! A floaty pass from New Zealand and the replacement was up on to it in a flash.
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 75 minutes
Still New Zealand will come, though. Akira Ioane makes meaty metres up the left before Ireland’s defensive line rushes up to quickly. Penalty to the All Blacks.
Tap and go. But Ireland have it again! Tadhg Beirne once more at the centre of a counter-ruck, driving Dane Coles into Folau Fakatava and forcing the ball free for his teammates to purloin! It’s Beirne’s night!
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 73 minutes
Another crucial turnover from Tadhg Beirne! New Zealand begin to really threaten, Keith Earls doing superbly to put his foot down and cut Beauden Barrett to the floor as he tries to sprint to the outside. The All Blacks play to the right and get the ball in the hands of Will Jordan in space, but Ireland handle him well, Beirne part of the defensive party that bring Jordan to deck and then up on his feet and over the ball before the New Zealand clearers can arrive. Again Irealnd clear and survive.
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 71 minutes
Conor Murray replaces Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half for Ireland, who are now less than ten minutes away from a series win.
Loose from Rob Herring - a not straight lineout and New Zealand can attack again from 35 metres out.
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 70 minutes
Timely shove from Ireland! Ardie Savea’s weight is on the back foot as he grasps for the ball at the base and he and Folau Fakatava get themselves in a right mess.
Penalty to Ireland now! Tadhg Beirne again contesting over the ball, and dragged away by the neck as Sam Whitelock tries to protect possession. New Zealand are repelled!
New Zealand 22-32 Ireland, 69 minutes
Off goes Ardie Savea! Such speed from the base, jumping inside Jamison Gibson-Park and then passing on for Will Jordan, who accelerates away from James Lowe in an instant.
Ireland are offside. Penalty to New Zealand five metres out.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is introduced for a debut. Can the former rugby league superstar make an immediate impact? The All Blacks opt for a scrum beneath the posts.
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