Heroic Ireland beat New Zealand for only the third time

Ireland produced an heroic performance to record an historic 29-20 victory over New Zealand, only their third over the All Blacks in 33 meetings. In extending their winning run to seven matches, Andy Farrell’s men showed the offloading game that burnished last weekend’s victory over Japan stands scrutiny against the world’s best.

Two Joey Carbery penalties in the final seven minutes took a breathless match away from the visitors, who thus experienced defeat in Europe for only the third time in 41 Tests in Europe.

Back-row Caelan Doris was named Man of the Match but there were outstanding performances all over the park, from bandaged warrior Garry Ringrose to thunderous New Zealand-born wing James Lowe. The forwards to a man didn’t yield an inch.

The jutted jaw of Johnny Sexton as the anthems concluded showed Ireland meant business and they were out of the blocks quickly, with some terrific continuity built on the speed of their ruck ball.

Codie Taylor was yellow-carded on 12 minutes after a high tackle on Sexton and two minutes later Ireland drew first blood. The forwards did the close-range graft on the right and the ball was switched wide where Hugo Keenan’s long pass put Lowe – one of three native Kiwis in the Ireland side – in at the left-hand corner.

Lowe, winning his eighth cap, had his best game for his adopted country, frequently popping up in midfield with his offloading and evasive footwork.

Wing James Lowe scores the opening try for Ireland in Dublin despite Jordie Barrett’s challenge (Inpho)

Both fly-halves were in the wars, Beauden Barrett going off for an HIA that he failed and Sexton needing treatment after falling awkwardly after a tackle by Rieko Ioane.

The home side were dealt a bitter blow on the half-hour. First, a try by Tadhg Furlong was chalked off because of a double movement by Ronan Kelleher in the preceding carry.

Then Taylor, restored to the fray, was put in by Dalton Papalii from a lineout move that exploited an excessive gap between Furlong and Kelleher.

The Irish surged forward, testing the All Blacks to the limit, but the black wall held firm and the visitors took a 10-5 lead into the interval – Jordie Barrett having knocked over a penalty and converted Taylor’s try – that went very much against the run of play.

That was emphasised by the fact Ireland had 70% possession and seven visits into opposition 22 in the first period yet accrued only five points. “Ireland have thrown the kitchen sink at New Zealand but they need to be more clinical,” said Channel 4 pundit Tommy Bowe.

Bowe’s wish was granted within two minutes of the restart as Kelleher crashed over to cap a series of forceful Irish drives. Sexton’s conversion attempt struck the post but Ireland were at least on level terms with the momentum behind them.

Ireland were harrying the All Blacks to distraction, forcing a succession of mistakes seldom seen among the world’s best team. The stadium erupted on 50 minutes when back-row Doris ran a clever unders line and fended off Taylor to dash under the posts from 20 metres.

Sexton converted and added a penalty after David Havili’s slap-down for a 20-10 Irish lead.

Sevu Reece almost touched down TJ Perenara’s short-side grubber, a reminder that New Zealand can strike in an instant. Within moments, Will Jordan was crossing for his 17th try in 12 Tests after putting in a deft chip and taking the scoring pass after Rieko Ioane had gathered in the ball. Barrett converted, 20-17.

Sexton went off for an HIA after a clash of heads with Ardie Savea, and Joey Carbery’s first act was to slot a simple penalty to widen the margin to six points.

With 12 minutes left, Rieko Ioane put his brother Akira over for a try that was disallowed on TMO review for a forward pass. Instead, we came back for a penalty that Jordie Barrett kicked to leave the match on a knife-edge.

But there was to be no denying the Irish, whose relentless effort led to New Zealand making a whopping 238 tackles – against 101 by Ireland – in the match. Carbery landed two penalties in the final minutes, the first from halfway after a brilliant tackle read by Lowe, to inflict a famous victory and relegate New Zealand to No 2 in the world rankings behind South Africa.

Ireland watch New Zealand do the haka prior to a match that produced drama from start to finish (Getty)

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki (Keith Earls 72), James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt, Joey Carbery 65), Jamison Gibson Park (Conor Murray 72); Andrew Porter (Cian Healy 76), Ronan Kelleher (Rob Herring 59), Tadhg Furlong (Finlay Bealham 65), Iain Henderson (Tadhg Beirne 48), James Ryan, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier (Peter O’Mahony 59), Jack Conan.

New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown (David Havili 39), Sevu Reece; Beauden Barrett (Richie Mo’unga 22), TJ Perenara; Joe Moody (Karl Tu’inukuafe 53), Codie Taylor (Dane Coles 13-24), Nepo Laulala (Tyrel Lomax 53), Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock (capt), Ethan Blackadder (Akira Ioane 62), Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea.

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