After last week's massive win for New Zealand, the All Blacks v Ireland test series reached a crucial point on Saturday morning with the second test in Dunedin. Andy Farrell's Ireland needed a win to keep the three-game series alive
Ireland coach Farrell kept the faith in the team that lost in Auckland, making just one change to the starting XV as Mack Hansen came in for Keith Earls.
All Blacks v Ireland: Match report and highlights
Rapid start gives Ireland a big lead early on
Similarly to last week's first test in Auckland, it was Ireland who made a lightning start in Dunedin. Ireland showed some rapid passing and a brilliant linebreak from Tadhg Beirne brought them into the New Zealand 22. After some brilliant work from Mack Hansen in the buildup, Andrew Porter forced his way over to get a try on the board for Ireland after just three minutes.
Over goes Andrew Porter! 🏉
Ireland score an early try for the second week in a row to take an early lead in Dunedin. 🇮🇪#NZvsIRE pic.twitter.com/5GF6H3ytKh— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
New Zealand's play was undoubtedly smooth but the swarm-style defence employed by Ireland was working a treat, and they were the better side in the opening minutes. Caelan Doris in particular was flying, and it looked as though Ireland could do more with their fast start than they did last Saturday.
All Blacks get two yellows and a red but Ireland fail to capitalise
In comparison to their assured performance in Auckland last week, the indiscipline on show from the All Blacks against Ireland on Saturday was shocking. Similarly shocking, however, was the refereeing on display in the second test.
Approaching 17 minutes, and with New Zealand yet to get a score, Mack Hansen made a break down the wing, before being caught by a flying shoulder by Leicester Fainga'anuku. The All Blacks wing leapt into the air and caught Hansen with his shoulder. Extraordinarily, referee Jaco Peyper opted not to send Fainga'anuku off, supposedly because a tackle at pace in the air with the shoulder does not pose a "high" level of danger. Fainga'anuku was instead sin-binned.
🗣️ "He's lucky to get away with that"
Should Faingaanuku have seen red for this? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/x48udVPqQC— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
New Zealand were once again fortunate to escape a red card moments later. Another brilliant linebreak left Johnny Sexton breaking and Garry Ringrose open to his right, before he was tackled off the ball by Ofa Tu'ungafasi. The tackle brought a yellow card but further replays suggested Ringrose would have been uncontested for a try, meaning a penalty try and a red card would likely have been a fairer call.
9 July 2022; Garry Ringrose of Ireland and Angus Ta'avao of New Zealand are treated by medical staff after a collision, resulting in a red card for Angus Ta'avao, during the Steinlager Series match between New Zealand and Ireland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Just as Fainga'anuku was returning to the pitch, New Zealand were once again down to 13 men at the half hour mark, as Peyper finally made the right call in sending off an All Black. Angus Ta'avao - who had come on as emergency scrum cover for Tu'ungafasi - was sent off for a charge tackle on Garry Ringrose that saw the two clash heads. Ringrose was brought off for a HIA and did not return for the second half.
New Zealand are given a RED CARD 🔴
Things are heating up in Dunedin 🔥#NZvsIRE pic.twitter.com/tJZFHBSedV— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
Ireland had another four minutes of play against 13 men, but they simply failed to capitalise and, entering the final moments of the first half, they were only 10 points up. Hardly a reflection of their dominance of the game.
Click here to read the full story of New Zealand's shocking indiscipline.
They were made to pay as the clock ticked into the red, as indiscipline saw James Ryan put in the sin-bin and Beauden Barrett able to wiggle his way through for a try.
Beauden Barrett claws a try back for the All Blacks as they head into half time 🏉
What a half of rugby! 😱#NZvsIRE pic.twitter.com/AfA8OmwDkX— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
It was a poor reflection on Ireland that despite such awful discipline from the All Blacks, and so many chances in the 22 for Ireland, that the scoreline at half-time saw them only three points ahead.
HALF TIME SCORE: All Blacks 7-10 Ireland
Ireland begin to dream at start of second half
After a wasteful end to the first half, Ireland finally made the most of their advantage after the break. Their play was far more fluid, and they began to punish New Zealand's mistakes with 14 men.
After eight minutes of pressure from Ireland, Andrew Porter was helped over by the pack after some brilliant work once again from Tadhg Beirne. The conversion from Sexton made it a ten point game. Moments later, a second penalty from Johnny Sexton stretched Ireland's advantage to 13, as they began to dream of a first ever win on New Zealand soil.
𝓘𝓡𝓔𝓛𝓐𝓝𝓓 𝓢𝓣𝓡𝓘𝓚𝓔 𝓑𝓐𝓒𝓚 🇮🇪
The action is non-stop in Dunedin as Andrew Porter goes over the try line once again 🏉 pic.twitter.com/0FluQYUD7R— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
Ireland stretch clear
With Ireland on the verge of history, they were going to need some big moments from their big players to pull through - and that's exactly what they got.
After another dominant 20 minute spell from Ireland, the All Blacks found their way back into the game around the hour mark. After a linebreak from New Zealand, it looked like they would run in for a second try and once again make it a one score game. That was, until the outstanding Caelan Doris made a crucial ankle tap to prevent the break and a near-certain All Blacks try.
That's a huge play from Caelan Doris. The most subtle of ankle taps.#NZLvIRL pic.twitter.com/fah3y595mk
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) July 9, 2022
Moments later, Ireland cleared their lines with a superb 50-22 from the most unlikely of sources, flanker Peter O'Mahony. O'Mahony's brilliant kick saw Ireland gain territory, and some similarly brilliant work from Robbie Henshaw in the 22 won Ireland a penalty that could put them three scores clear. With one of the biggest kicks of his career, Sexton knocked it over, and Ireland took a decisive 23-7 lead.
READ HERE: Irish Public Blown Away By Titanic Peter O'Mahony Performance
It was defence central for Ireland in the closing stages, as the All Blacks desperately sought to avoid defeat on home soil. Some more heroics from the Irish defence saw not one, not two, but three potential All Blacks tries held up on the line in the last ten minutes. Replacement Will Jordan would eventually go over for a second All Blacks try with three minutes to go, but they were still left with two much to do, especially after the conversion was missed.
The clock ran down and, after Bundee Aki wrestled the ball back from the restart, Ireland kept ball for the final minute and knocked the ball out for a brilliant first ever test win in New Zealand.
All Blacks v Ireland: Player of the Match
9 July 2022; Tadhg Beirne of Ireland makes a break during the Steinlager Series match between New Zealand and Ireland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
There were so many contenders in an excellent Irish performance, but it was Munster's Tadhg Beirne who was the outstanding Irish player in Dunedin. Exceptional in both defence and attack, he played a crucial role in both Irish tries and was flawless for the 80 minutes.
All Blacks v Ireland: Final squads
All Blacks: Starting lineup
15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Aaron Smith; 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Dalton Papalii, 7. Sam Cane (captain), 8. Ardie Savea
All Blacks: Replacements
16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Pita Gus Sowakula, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Richie Mo'unga, 23. Will Jordan
READ HERE: New Zealand Twitter Is Livid After Historic Loss To Ireland
Ireland: Starting lineup
15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (captain), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O'Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris
Ireland: Replacements
16. Rob Herring, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Kieran Treadwell, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Bundee Aki
NEXT GAME ON THE TOUR: Maori All Blacks v Ireland, Wellington, Tuesday July 13th, 8:05am
SEE ALSO: This New Zealand Newspaper Headline Makes For Great Reading For Ireland Fans
