Three-time World Cup winners New Zealand suffered another shock defeat to Ireland on Saturday, winning 28-24 and putting a bitterly disappointing end to Ireland captain Johnny Sexton’s brilliant career.
The All Blacks have a fantastic opportunity at the Stade de France following their historic home series defeat to Ireland last year.
The defeat ended Ireland’s 17-match winning streak and cost Andy Farrell’s side their first-ever semi-final appearance.
The All Blacks pressed hard from the start, hitting the Irish line and referee Wayne Barnes awarded a penalty, which Richie Mo’unga converted to make it 3-0.
The All Blacks went 6-0 ahead in the 15th minute when Jody Barrett fired a superb long-range penalty from just inside the Irish half.
Match Center New Zealand vs Ireland
Ireland broke through New Zealand’s defence twice, but they lacked discipline and it was their opponents who converted their chances into goals.
A great run continued with Lester Fainganuku (in the lineup because Mark Telea violated team protocol) scoring a touchdown to put the team up 13-0.
Rico Ioane almost threw a forward pass but the try stood and the New Zealand coaching team were on their feet, slapping the air in celebration.
Mounga converted the ball on the left touchline.
Ireland needed something and the wise Sexton got his chance when he converted a penalty in the 23rd minute to make it 13-3.
When it was decided that a high tackle by Mo’unga on Bundy Aki was okay, Sexton and Barnes argued, with Barnes having to fight back in the best way possible.
Ireland got right back into the game as the clock ticked down to 30 minutes. James Lowe’s long pass found Aki, who shot high but still managed to overcome several tackles and score a touchdown, which Sexton converted to make it 13-10.
– Irish carelessness is punished –
But the All Blacks were back and the outstanding Ardie Savea marked his 30th birthday in style with a corner finish. Mo’unga’s conversion went wide but the All Blacks went 18-10 ahead.
With only about 45 minutes left in the rugby game, Sexton chastised his teammates for not being in a protective stance.
When Ireland pressed and Sexton went for a penalty, they responded positively and gained momentum when Barnes booked Aaron Smith for a deliberate knock-on.
Jamison Gibson-Park, who converted another penalty shortly afterwards, saw the opportunity and made a brilliant move to score a touchdown.
Sexton added another goal to put Ireland within one point of the half, 18-17.
Ireland dominated the start and end of the second half, but were fouled twice by Barnes, the last of which saw Sexton argue with the English referee.
As in the first half, the All Blacks punished their mistakes severely, with Will Jordan finishing off a superb break from Mo’unga and Jody Barrett converting to make it 25-17 with 25 minutes remaining.
The game was not going in Ireland’s favour. Sexton went for a penalty but missed wide and the stadium erupted in cheers as the clock ticked down to the hour mark.
Farrell decided it was time to give veteran Connor Murray a chance and partner Sexton, as he had done for most of his outstanding career, with 19 minutes remaining to replace a tired Gibson-Park.
Sexton then buoyed the spirits of the Irish supporters by clapping and waving his arms in the air after converting another penalty.
The decibel level soared into another stratosphere, and the effect was even greater when Barnes awarded Ireland a penalty try and sent off Cody Taylor to make it 25-24 with 16 minutes left.
But Jody Barrett converted another long-range penalty with 11 minutes left to extend the lead to 28-24.
Ireland continued to attack until the last moment but the All Blacks held firm and Sexton, 38, was left wondering what could have happened as his extraordinary playing career drew to a close.
What they said
“It was one of those test matches, it was a fight. I’m really proud of my players. Ireland set the standard and I want to send them some love.” — Player of the match Ardie Savea
“It was an unbelievable rugby union game. I was speechless. I knew the All Blacks could play, but it was the way they put pressure on Ireland and delivered.” — Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick
“Johnny Sexton will live a long time reliving it all, he will look back on it and think what he could have done. Ireland gave it everything they had and they were just beaten. There is nothing between the two sides.” — Brian O’Driscoll, former Ireland captain
“I’m heartbroken. In Ireland’s eighth quarter-final they just didn’t reach the level they wanted to. Johnny Sexton… is a broken man. We have a broken country here and there are so many Irish fans and unfortunately it can’t be that way.” — Former Ireland winger Tommy Bowe
