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:
South Africa 24-14 Wales, 64 minutes
Damian Willemse takes an up-and-under superbly, but is left powerless as he falls on a Welsh body. Two more red shirts arrive to deposit him over the touchline in short order.
Faf de Klerk replaces Jaden Hendrikse at scrum half.
South Africa 24-14 Wales, 63 minutes
South Africa return to their power game, uncomplicated one-out runners nonetheless making robust progress through the Welsh 22.
But just as the spaces begin to appear, South Africa lose patience. Handre Pollard calls for the ball but finds his options limited, kicking the ball into a leg just six metres from the Welsh line. Wales clear.
South Africa 24-14 Wales, 61 minutes
Eben Etzebeth’s 100th appearance in South African green is done - another remarkably gnarly showing from the lock. Franco Mostert takes his place.
And the replacement makes an immediate impact, driving back a Welsh carrier and allowing his engine room mate Lood de Jager to attack the ruck. De Jager is moved out of the way illegally.
South Africa 24-14 Wales, 59 minutes
Not the most enterprising attacking play from South Africa, granted go-forward by another strong maul drive and Damian Willemse, who has a fair bit of strapping on his ankle but still carries strongly. Willemse’s fellow backs work the hands out to the left, but Makazole Mapimpi runs out of room, first swaddled by two Welsh tacklers and then carried into touch.
South Africa 24-14 Wales, 57 minutes
Jones’ arrival does not bring glad tidings for the Welsh scrum - Sam Wainwright is folded like a deckchair by Steven Kitshoff. Penalty to South Africa.
South Africa 24-14 Wales, 55 minutes
Taine Basham, called in late to the matchday squad after Taulupe Faletau’s last minute withdrawal, is on for Wales, replacing Tommy Reffell, who has had another remarkably effective performance on a potentially star-making tour.
Wales have a lineout 30 metres out from the South Africa line, but Dewi Lake’s throw, not for the first time this series, drifts off line. Wyn Jones is introduced at loosehead before the scrum.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 24-14 Wales (Siya Kolisi try, 53 minutes)
The captain goes over! Patience from the Springboks, bashing repeatedly on the door, forcing the hinges to creak. Handre Pollard, eyeing a second, is nearly turtled out wide, but manages to force the ball back. Wales try to attack the breakdown but are told to move away by the referee, and in the next phase Kolisi crosses, looking up to see Nick Tompkins on his back foot and out of position in the line. A sniff of a hole is all Kolisi needs to lower the shoulder and ground on the white line.
Pollard adds two more from the tee.
South Africa 17-14 Wales, 52 minutes
Wales haul it to floor illegally. Malcolm Marx looks set to score anyway, but fumbles as he hits the deck.
They’ll go again, Marx in control at the back of it. This time Wales halt its progress legally, forcing South Africa to try something different.
South Africa 17-14 Wales, 50 minutes
A bit of a concern for the Springboks as Damian Willemse stays down in need of treatment. Willie le Roux was on early, and Faf de Klerk is their only other backs replacement on the bench. Kwagga Smith could probably play on the wing...
Willemse will continue on for now, but with his watching brief as his forwards attempt an assault with the maul in the corner.
South Africa 17-14 Wales, 50 minutes
Clever from Will Rowlands, snatching the arm of Jaden Hendrikse just as the scrum-half attempts to pass with South African momentum building.
But Wales fail to clear their lines, and are penalised five metres from their own line. Loose from the Welsh, having scrambled superbly to enable Rowlands to win the ball back.
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