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13th November 2021
05:20pm GMT
Many Irish fans would have been forgiving for fearing Ireland would punch themselves out after that breathless first half. It was not the case in the early stages of the second half.
Strong runs from James Ryan, Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose has the Kiwis back on their tryline and it was Ronán Kelleher that, this time, made it count:
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Sexton missed a second conversion but on Ireland came. Ringrose and Josh van der Flier made some great defensive hits and, when Ireland had won back possession, Caelan Doris scored a blinder after stepping the covering defender.
Sexton converted that try and added another, on 56 minutes, when Taylor was pinged for a deliberate knock-on. Ireland were pressing for more scores, but the All Blacks struck next as Will Jordan started an finished an attack, over on the left wing.
New Zealand emptied the bench and thought they had scored through Akira Ioane, but they were called back for a forward pass and Jordie Barrett was left to reduce arrears with a simple penalty. It was 23-20 to the hosts with 10 minutes to go.
It the end, Ireland kept their boot on Kiwi necks and Carbery added two penalties to make it comfortable.
Here's how we rated Andy Farrell's men in green:
Made a try-saving tackle on Will Jordan as he covered superbly for Hugo Keenan. Stayed wide and came onto Keenan's pass like a train, for his try. His defence was on point, caught well in the air, unleashed some clearing kick cannons and made a number of big tackles and carries.
Johnny Sexton - 7
In the wars - when is he not? - as he probed and cajoled. Was winding up the Kiwis no end, but also irking the referee with some comments. Settled himself after two conversion misses to find the target with his next two kicks.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 8
Varied his passing well to keep the ABs guessing. Knocked on, under pressure, just metres from the tryline. Played at a high tempo and took somr risks that were rewarded.
Andrew Porter - 8
Played with some real bite and carried superbly. Held his own at the scrum too. Put in a huge, tireless shift for 75 minutes. So impressive.
Ronán Kelleher - 8
Stepped up with a crucial intercept just off his tryline. Over-threw a lineout, soon after, then pancaked Beauden Barrett. Pinged for a double movement that ruled out a Furlong try. Drifted forward and opened a gap for that Taylor try.
Tadhg Furlong - 8
Started like a train. Forced an early Savea knock-on after making some nice carries. Minutes after he had a great try chalked off, he was caught all-watching for that Codie Taylor try.
Iain Henderson - 7
Penalised early on for tackling out the jackaler. Stepped up, soon after, with a nice turnover. Still getting back to full fitness.
James Ryan - 9
Was the go-to guy for the big lineouts, even as he jumped under huge pressure. Stole two ABs lineout, too, and made a couple of strong carries.
Caelan Doris - 10
Came flying at Savea to force an early spill. Made a nice block on a Barrett grubber, and a lineout steal too. Was constantly delivering front-foot ball. Superb step and run for Ireland's third try.
Josh van der Flier - 9
Was steaming into tackles, straight from the get-go. Never let up and forced countless errors with his ferocity. Was lighting up lads in black jerseys all day.
Jack Conan - 8
Should have ran the ball longer, on an early break, before passing to Conway. Made a couple of big carries that got well over the gainline.
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