Ireland Stand Firm To Seal Historic Series Win In New Zealand

Ireland followed up last week’s historic result with a first ever series win over New Zealand as they dug deep to defeat the All Blacks 32-22 in Wellington.

In Pics: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32

Andy Farrell’s men gobbled up all that the ‘Cake Tin’ had to offer in the first half, with well-crafted tries from Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw inspiring a 22-3 half-time lead.

They managed to repeat their fast start from previous weeks, slung forward by Jamison Gibson-Park’s swift service. Indeed, van der Flier’s third-minute score from a maul marked the 13th match in a row that Ireland have scored a try during the opening quarter.

Some lovely interplay between Mack Hansen and James Lowe released full-back Keenan for a smashing second effort, and more sharp passing – this time between Dan Sheehan, Jonathan Sexton and Bundee Aki – saw Henshaw go over in the 36th minute.

New Zealand roared back with a three-try fightback, flankers Ardie Savea and Akira Ioane finishing smartly either side of Andrew Porter’s sin-binning for a high tackle on Brodie Retallick.

It was all hands to the pump for Ireland, talismanic captain Sexton steadying the ship with a penalty for 25-17 and hitting the crossbar with a thumping kick from the halfway line.

Will Jordan showed his wheels to quickly fire back with a try from just outside the hosts’ 22, but Jordie Barrett narrowly missed the conversion as Ireland clung onto a three-point lead.

Aki was tackled short in response, Ireland’s maul delivering the goods again off a penalty as replacement hooker Rob Herring broke off and stretched out to ground the ball with 16 minutes remaining.

On a night that he passed the 1000-point mark for his country, Sexton topped it off with the conversion and there was no wilting from the tourists despite a late onslaught from the All Blacks.

Tadhg Beirne put in some Herculean work at the breakdown, drawing a penalty, stealing another ball and then leading a telling counter ruck as Farrell’s side gained crucial turnovers under pressure in their own 22.

As the clock wound down, replacement Joey Carbery intercepted to send New Zealand backwards, and Ireland controlled possession up to the final whistle with Keith Earls threatening and the scrum rock solid.

In lifting the Steinlager Series International Cup, Ireland become the first touring team in the professional era to win a series in New Zealand. It is their fifth victory in the sides’ last eight meetings, and the first time Ireland have beaten the All Blacks in successive games.

Only South Africa (1937), Australia (1949 and 1986), the British & Irish Lions (1971), and France (1994) have previously won Test series in New Zealand.

Ireland are only the second team, after the 1937 Springboks, to win a series away to New Zealand after losing the first Test. It is the first time the All Blacks have lost back-to-back home matches to the same opposition since France in 1994.

Ireland’s only previous series successes in the southern hemisphere were in Australia (1979 and 2018) and Argentina (2014), while they also had single victories over Australia (1967 and at the 2011 Rugby World Cup) and South Africa (2016).

Savouring a superb finish to the summer tour, which saw the Ireland squad string together three wins in quick succession, head coach Farrell said: “That’s the work-on from the last couple of games, makings sure we’re more clinical.

“It got a bit loose with the high balls, they were playing wide-wide, but we managed to find a way. That’s what good teams do. That’s what New Zealand have done in the past.

“We managed to keep our composure for what is a tremendous day for everyone. It’s a special day, isn’t it? A special day for everyone back home, for everyone that’s involved in Irish rugby, for everyone that’s Irish, this is pretty special.

“I can’t speak enough of these boys. They keep surprising me, they keep turning up and 100% believed in themselves.”

Paying tribute to the travelling fans, he added: “I was walking around town this morning and the amount of people that have just flown in, probably travelled 48 hours to be here just for this match, just because they care.

“I’m so pleased that it’s been worth every penny for the supporters who were here. It’s a special group of players and they deserve everything they get.”