Ireland roared to a well deserved 29-20 defeat of the All Blacks in front of a seething crowd of 51,000 at the Aviva Stadium.
Down by five points at halftime, Ireland went to the lead through Ronan Kelleher and Caelan Doris.
With 10 minutes to play, Will Jordan crossed for the All Blacks to cut the gap to three points but two Joey Carbery penalties sent the crowd home happy.
Earlier James Lowe had given Ireland a first half lead before Codie Taylor’s try saw the All Blacks head into the break with their noses in front.
It is Ireland’s seventh consecutive win as they make significant ground under Andy Farrell’s system of expansive rugby.
The Irish dominated the contest and claimed a third win in five years against the All Blacks following on from wins in 2016 and 2018.
First half try scorer Lowe, who was born in NZ and qualified through the three-year residency rule, summed up the feeling.
“It’s amazing. Never in a million years did I think this day would come. I dreamt of being an All Black as a kid,” Lowe said.
“I gave up that dream as I wasn’t good enough and to come over here, to hear my native country anthem and stand in front of the haka, it’s a childhood dream.”
Lowe gave a brilliant post match interview where he described a tackle on Reiko Ioane in the 70th minute as his highlight.
“You bollockses always talk about my d [defence] and I got up and whacked Rieko, and we got the turnover,” Lowe said in a post-match television interview.
“I don’t care about that first try, it was the moment in the 70th minute, to be able to read [the play] and do everything I’ve been doing for the past six or seven months and produce it against the best team in the world, that’s what I’m happy about.”
James Lowe celebrates his try (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
After the first full house at the Aviva Stadium in 21 months tried to drown out the Haka with a rendition of ‘The Fields of Athenry’, Ireland responded by showing their intent to play the kind of fast-paced rugby that hit Japan for 60 points last week.
They were not afforded the same kind of space and it was the All Blacks who came closest to opening the score through the electric Jordan before Taylor’s yellow card for a high tackle on Johnny Sexton handed the hosts the initiative.
That was to be New Zealand’s last attack for most of the half as Ireland took advantage with ruthless precision, going for the corner rather than the sticks with the resulting penalty and when their pack could not quite make it over the ball was spun out wide for Lowe to score.
Ireland remained camped in the All Blacks half, even when the visitors returned to their full complement of players, and somehow wound up trailing 10-5 at the break
After Tadhg Furlong had a try disallowed, New Zealand took the lead out of absolutely nowhere. Dalton Papalii broke from the back of a lineout into a gaping hole in the Irish defence and Taylor was beside him to finish.
Ireland again came within inches of scoring just before the break, this time through Sexton, but the resolute All Blacks went into half-time ahead having make 160 tackles to Ireland’s 37 in the first 40 minutes.
The onslaught continued in the second half and the dam broke when hooker Kelleher’s 44th minute try levelled the score.
The early defensive effort was taking its toll on New Zealand, who also lost fly-half Beauden Barrett to a head injury in the first half, and Leinster flanker Caelan Doris
broke through to add a third try shortly afterwards.
Sexton’s first conversion of the day and a quick additional penalty put the hosts 20-10 in front before Jordan’s 17th try from 11 caps set up a tense final 20 minutes.
But Ireland stood firm with replacement fly-half Carbery knocking over three late penalties, one from the half-way line, before the packed house erupted on the final whistle.
‘We didn’t have the composure’
All Blacks coach Ian Foster felt his team shouldn’t have has a 68th minute try ruled out, and questioned some of Ireland’s tactics, but paid Ireland fair tribute.
“They thoroughly deserved their win,” said Foster.
“They played incredibly well and held the ball for long periods.
“I thought we did well with our defence, hanging in there and frustrating them, and the fact we took our first two opportunities to score in a clinical way meant we were in the game and in quite a nice position.
“[But] I was impressed with them. They played a high-tempo game, kept us chasing and when it really mattered at the end we just didn’t have the composure to take the opportunity presented. It was very similar to other Ireland-All Blacks games I’ve been involved with up here.”
Of a draining first half, Foster said: “I was delighted that under sheer weight of possession and territory our defence stood up pretty strongly. We conceded one try when we had a yellow card, but we got to halftime a bit battered but in a reasonably good position.
“We weren’t very clinical in that first 10 minutes [after halftime]. We presented a couple of opportunities they were good enough to take, and then it was a matter of chasing the game. I thought Will [Jordan’s] was a great try; I thought Akira’s was a great try – but the TMO didn’t, and that’s probably the story of the game.”
The TMO ruled a forward transfer from Rieko Ioane to his brother.
“I certainly saw it differently, but that’s life,” said Foster. “It was a really, really marginal call.”
WEST
Roar Guru
NZRU is falling behind the times, it’s becoming clearer. Like you said with the way they dealt with Foster, it shows a lack of direction and decision making. Then the whole debating process over sponsorship deals. The NZ Rugby Players Association quarrelling. They’ll have buyers remorse with Foster. Fact that they made the decision at the beginning of the season is odd. Frankly the whole process with Foster has been very odd. Anyway, after the RWC time for restructuring within NZRU is way overdue. Needs new updates, new direction. The path it’s on isn’t leading anywhere. Not to mention NZ rugby is losing touch at grassroots rugby as well. The future of rugby in NZ is looking bleak if you look at participation numbers. That’s another area NZRU is failing.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Yep spot on mate....
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
One of Ted Henry's famous media interview lines was "you learn more from losing than you do, from winning...." It's about choosing game tactics that will offer up a better than average chance of winning only to meet an opposition, that responds with tactics that prove are better, on game day. This will happen more often because the world has caught up with all matters regarding NZ's IP of rugby. That's no coincidence cos I'm just surprised it has taken so long for this transition, since the game went professional in 1996 - what with NZ players and coaches going overseas, to play and to coach. S--t happens mate.....but, I dunno if that thought has broached the minds of our illustrious Board members. They still seem to dither when it comes to choosing the next HC and it seems, they rather stick with the tried and trusted whereas the world, is moving on with folks from NZ, who should've been enticed back home. NZR have gone the full circle in HC decision making. Since RWC began, NZR was changing coaches every 4yrs after a dismal showing. Ted came along and that changed especially after 2007 RWC. "Continuity" became the catch cry and it's been that way, ever since. We need new ideas and a new IP approach to the game. How that's achieved, is the next question. I can hear the drums beating louder in Sader-land.
WEST
Roar Guru
Yes, they can bounce back.. But I want to know why do we need to get a hiding to then decide.. next time we won’t let this happen. The AB team and coaches are well aware of what the opposition is capable of, yet we fall way short. Now we have to lose to win? I understand that opposition is catching up, but why are we becoming Jekyll & Hyde? We seem to pick and choose days to turn up.
WEST
Roar Guru
Agree OB.. Im already writing this World Cup off. Going by current standards, we’ll be lucky to make it to the play off rounds. We’re becoming predictable! It’s an embarrassing state of affairs when the All Blacks can be attacked and defended against so easily.. Notice also how much better Argentina were against Italy? The tight five of the ABs just aren’t doing the grunt work up front. I’m not sure what the deal is? How can players of the year turn into what we’re seeing today? The responsibility falls on the players, but also the tactics of the coach, (Plumtree) in this case. Why can so many teams with less test experience, out play and out manoeuvre the All Blacks pack. Look at what Fiji could do against us, Then Italy, now Ireland.. France pack will be rubbing their hands together. We’re not respecting the ball enough, we can’t protect our own ball, we’re not matching the grit to get it back into our own hands again either.
Double Agent
Guest
Suuuure!! :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I dont think that but very interesting that you do DA.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Yep can't argue any of that. Its been missing since we or they have decided to score at all cost. Giving away for positional core skills for ball runners, but unfortunately those ball runners aren't or can't penetrate or even bend the line consistently.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Bring back the physicality and go-forward in the pack - this IMO, was what the ABs needed and we didn't have it, to give it back. Instead, we got it dealt up to us on a platter. The off-loads and inter-passing between our forwards, seems to have taken a holiday or simply, gone awol. Shifting the point of contact seems to be the old flavour except, what's been offered in its place, is one up hit, take the tackle then lose possession or drop the pill or worse, get penalised for holding on because the physicality to clean out at the ruck, isn't there any more. Very static looking and easily countered, by the opposition.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
I think you answered you own concern in your final paragraph. Yes, there are a lot of youngsters coming through and some good ones, to boot. To that end, it's a learning phase for all these kids to get their heads around not just tactics but also as you mention, belief and culture. Where it hurts, is the more experienced players IMO, aren't putting their hands up when the going gets tough.....and that starts, in the pack. The tight-5 that we had in this match, are the most experienced combination within the team and yet, they got a shellacking in the line-out, ruck clean outs and ball carrying skills, across the paddock. I don't see the pack showing any improvement between now and 2023 because the current tight-5, are not only the most experienced (test caps) combo on the paddock but in all likelihood, they are collectively the elder statesmen, in the team. Not a good sign heading into 2023.....but worse when we see that the youngsters, won't be ready to step up until probably, 2024-2025. Then again, the only other teams that I've noticed around the globe with so many youngsters coming through are, our neighbours across the ditch and the French. RWC may be interesting in 2023 but then I suggest, it will be spectacular in 2027.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
The thing is, the ABs do bounce back after a game goes pear shaped. They deal with matters as they occur re v Ireland 2018 and 12mths later in the RWC QF, the result was a massive turn around. This will occur more often simply because the world, is adapting at the same rate as the ABs, are re-strategising - it is not uncommon to expect this, will not happen. But, you take your losses when they happen and move on because you bank, where things went wrong and await, the next meeting.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Tom - guess it's "netball season" now eh? )) https://au.sports.yahoo.com/david-warner-mitchell-marsh-blast-172523104.html
WEST
Roar Guru
Ireland are producing some of the best rugby around, all be it few and possibly far between. But Against the All Blacks, they go to another level, it’s a level this current ABs team can’t match. Or the coach can’t even to begin to counter measure. The thing that’s puzzling me, is why can’t the All Blacks step up when it counts? Is because the ABs just aren’t good enough? The player quality just isn’t there? Actually reminds me of a few previous lulls in AB history, particularly around the early 2000s or back in the 80s I think it was? What I am seeing is the team belief and strong culture being produced in Ireland.. Also notice the lack of one within the All Blacks? That’s just bizarre considering the rich and inspirational history that should be there? It should be a vibrant and flourishing culture.. why is it lacking? Oh well.. Amongst the rubble, Dalton is going to become a hell of an All Black, so is Blackadder. There is some great players coming through, hopefully in the next few years more raise their hands.
WEST
Roar Guru
This isn’t the first time the All Blacks have faced a similar situation. Ireland 2018, England 2019. 2020 Argentina. We keep hearing we know what’s coming But we still aren’t prepared to deal with it? It’s ok to say.. No team could have dealt with this? If that’s the case, I’ll expect this to become more common with the current All Blacks.
WEST
Roar Guru
I don’t think Foster has anything to offer, as far as strategy or tactics. His ideas ran out years ago. I’m excited to see the next generation of All Blacks coaching. A clean slate is way over due. Just have to grit out teeth and wait for this to all blow over and hope the damage isn’t to severe.
WEST
Roar Guru
Haha :laughing: had a coach
Chas
Roar Rookie
Loved the interview with 'mad-eyes James Lowe. Reminds me of a kid at Saturday morning footy just loving being out there and charging around all over the place. Used to enjoy him just for his sheer enthusiasm when he was playing Super rugby in NZ. Ireland were great. And the All Blacks got within nine points! Imagine how the ABs would go if they had a coach.
Ex force fan
Guest
Agree. The Irish crowd took the edge of the Haka. Great response from Ireland. Definitely contributed to the atmosphere for an Irish home game. I would argue the All Blacks should do the haka after they won the game like the 7 a side team.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
How so, Jack? Please, elaborate
Ex force fan
Guest
His very selective in his memory. This was a game where the AB defended ost of the time the stoppages would have benefited them more.