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 3-22 Ireland, 40 minutes
Ireland have the ball in their hands as the clock ticks past 40 minutes. Jamison Gibson-Park begins to pick out a spot in the stands to send everyone down the tunnel as the half-time hooter blares, but Ireland fail to resource a ruck, and New Zealand jackal strongly to win a turnover penalty.
TRY! New Zealand 3-22 IRELAND (Robbie Henshaw try, 38 minutes)
The All Blacks defence opens again and Robbie Henshaw is over! Oh, this is delicious attacking play from Ireland, so many options creating plenty of problems for New Zealand.
The scrum initially is a little messy, but Caelan Doris’s forthright charge re-gathers momentum. That allows Ireland to settle into their pattern, Dan Sheehan pulling back from the centre of a forward pod, allowing Johnny Sexton to pick his options.
Beauden Barrett shoots out of the line to try and shut down the space out the back, granting Bundee Aki unimpeded passage as Sexton passes flat. Aki feeds Henshaw, who slides over. This is dominant from Ireland, with Sexton’s conversion adding another layer of icing on a rather tasty first-half cake.
New Zealand 3-15 Ireland, 36 minutes
Another lineout, yet more woe for New Zealand, James Ryan up at the front before Ardie Savea to rob the All Blacks of possession.
Hugo Keenan kicks into the 22 and Mack Hansen is a willing and able chaser, preventing Will Jordan from extricating himself. Nepo Laulala attempts an ambitious offload over the top of two defenders for propping partner George Bower, and Laulala’s loose lift is rightly ruled forward. Ireland scrum 15 out from the Ireland line, equidistant from each touchline.
New Zealand 3-15 Ireland, 35 minutes
Ireland kick away their advantage, and the All Blacks will come again. Ireland are beginning to fatigue, but manage to just about fill the field, spreading well. David Havili kicks against an Irish body and it will be a New Zealand lineout on the opposition ten-metre line.
New Zealand 3-15 Ireland, 33 minutes
Ireland are tackling particularly well so far, clutching at waist elastic and the All Blacks’ shirts to just about hold on as New Zealand play left and right in search of a space. Beauden Barrett again opts for a crossfield kick in the direction of Sevu Reece, and the wing claims nicely. He appears to be contacted in the air, but the officials let it go, and Brodie Retallick’s knock on will give Ireland the ball.
PENALTY! New Zealand 3-15 IRELAND (Johnny Sexton penalty, 32 minutes)
This is lengthy, 45 metres maybe on the angle. Johnny Sexton gives it a tonk...and over it goes! Ireland extend their lead.
New Zealand 3-12 Ireland, 30 minutes
A rather basic error from New Zealand again. Sevu Reece wanders nowhere in particular as the green Irish wall advances in a well-organised kick chase, and a desperate Beauden Barrett’s clearout takes Andrew Porter far beyond the ball. The New Zealand fly-half is penalised; his opposite number, Johnny Sexton, calls for the tee.
TRY! New Zealand 3-12 IRELAND (Hugo Keenan try, 28 minutes)
Ireland score their second!
Ireland again advance through the mass and meat of their maul, earning a penalty advantage and granting a chance to play with freedom. Their first exploration of the left touchline is promising, James Lowe very nearly shimmying past last defender Jordie Barrett. Two phases later Jamison Gibson-Park opts to return to the fertile pastures to the left, Mack Hansen providing extra, expert linking hands, fizzing a delightful pass to create space.
Lowe feeds Hugo Keenan on his inside, and the full-back crosses in the corner. Johnny Sexton is good from the tee this time.
New Zealand 3-5 Ireland, 25 minutes
Again New Zealand attack with a degree of purpose, Ardie Savea this time safely picking up from the base and making metres up the centre. The two Ioane brothers combine sharply but Rieko is isolated as he is snared, Josh van der Flier in close attention and winning both the turnover and a penalty with a breakdown snaffle.
New Zealand 3-5 Ireland, 24 minutes
There is just a sense that New Zealand are starting to settle into their attacking flow. Jordie Barrett beats a couple of would-be tacklers before Nepo Laulala’s sharp pull-back pass at the line creates space on the right. Will Jordan runs out of room so toes ahead, and a hurried Irish kick fails to make much ground. A good attacking platform for the All Blacks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments