Follow along live as Ireland take on New Zealand in their first game of the Autumn International Series
Full Time:
Ireland - 13
New Zealand - 23
Review: New Zealand are too strong for Ireland, as they back up World Cup Quarter Final Win with a ten-point victory in Dublin tonight.
This was Ireland's first game of the Autumn Series, and frankly, it showed. They simply made too many unforced errors throughout tonight's game and gave the visitors too much access to convert easy penalties.
Ireland had to defend ruthlessly in the first half, as New Zealand enjoyed 65% possession.
Ireland discipline was poor, giving away penalties in easily convertible positions. Ireland were punichsed by the boot of Damien McKenzie, who converted 6/7 penalties. Referee Nic Berry arguably made some poor decisions, but Ireland shouldn't have been in the position to cough up such easy points for the All Blacks.
Ireland came out storming in the second half, scoring a try through Josh van der Flier in the 43rd minute. The crowd loved it, and there was seemingly a new energy to the team. However, as would go on to haunt them, Ireland's momentum was halted through their own errors; knock-ons, sloppy penalties and overall poor discipline.
It's a chance missed for Andy Farrell's men, who will now have to wait quite some time for another crack at the All Blacks to avenge their World Cup exit. But for now, attention turns to Argentina next Friday night back in the Aviva.
Oisín Gaffey reporting from The Aviva Stadium, Dublin
80' Sloppy passing and poor handling errors cost Ireland in the end, as they rue what could have been. This was a chance to make amends for their World Cup heartbreak last year, but they looked off the pace tonight.
Full time in The Aviva Stadium - Ireland 13-23 New Zealand
76' With time running out, Ireland have it all to do, and it's not looking likely. Too many dropped balls and spoiled chances tonight. A lovely chip is put over the top from Frawley, but Hansen is just unable to regather. Hansen has been exciting to watch tonight, it's a shame that one didn't stick
68' TRY NEW ZEALAND - Will Jordan dots the ball down in the corner after NZ have an overlap out wide. Gibson-Park bites in and it's an easy score for Jordan.
McKenzie is unable to convert the difficult kick, 13-23
63' Ireland giving New Zealand too much easy access to points! Henderson gives away a sloppy penalty for not releasing and McKenzie lines up the ball for what will be his seventh attempted kick of the night.
He converts to extend New Zealand's lead to 5 points. 13-18
60' Ireland concede a harsh penalty at the scrum, much to the dissmay of the crowd and the coaching box. McKenzie converts to give NZ a two-point lead. 13-15
58' Almost immediately after coming on, O'Toole is forced to withdraw for an HIA after a huge collision with Wallace Sittiti
56' A raft of changes for Ireland. Herring, O'Toole, Henderson and Frawley are on in place of Kelleher, Bealham, McCarthy and Crowley
55' NZ get another penalty for Ireland not rolling away. McKenzie steps up to kick from almost halfway and it hits the post! Jamison Gibspon-Park clears and Ireland then win the scrum thanks to some superb tackling from the number 9!
DECISION - Jordie Barrett's yellow card that was referred for an off-field review has remained a yellow card
47' Penalty to New Zealand for Ireland not rolling away. McKenzie lines up to take the kick from almost halfway. Despite a bobble off the tee, that's a remarkable kick from Damien McKenzie. 13-12
43' TRY FOR IRELAND - After a strong Ireland scrum and some good pick-and-go play, Josh van der Flier cuts a strong line and dots over for the first try of the game.
Jack Crowley converts the following kick - 13-9
41' Despite a spill in the maul from a penalty, Ireland get a scrum after forcing Sam Cane back over his own try line. They have the scrum five metres out
40' Second Half Gets Underway
Half Time: Ireland 6 - 9 New Zealand
39' Referee Nic Berry awards Jordie Barrett a yellow card and a bunker review - decision on whether it's upgaded to a red is pending, we will know after half time. Barrett hits Ringrose on the head with his shoulder. It was a quick decision from the referee and TMO
Ireland now have a penalty in front of the posts, which Jack Crowley converts
The score is now 6-9
37' Ireland give another penalty away at the breakdown, this time for James Ryan not rolling away. McKenzie steps up to kick New Zealand into a 6-point lead
Which he does, 3-9
34' Ireland spill the ball and Caleb Clarke clears up to the halfway line
32' Ireland win a penalty and kick it to the corner. They now stand just 6 metres out from the New Zealand line for the first time in this game
26' The Irish scrum is creaking. Ireland give away a free kick and then concede a penalty as NZ go on the attack. McKenzie steps up to take an easy shot at goal for a chance to draw NZ ahead
McKenzie converts, 3-6
23' A great penalty won by Jamison Gibson-Park is immediately undone as Ireland and Gary Ringrose give one away for not releasing the ball
19' A long attacking series of phases from NZ comes to an end as an Irish attempt to jackal knocks the ball on. James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park making some big tackles, as well as Gary Ringrose, who absolutely nailed his opposite number Rieko Ioane
13' Good Irish pressure forces a NZ knock on and Ireland have the scrum put-in. A short scuffle then ensues between Scott Barrett and Joe McCarthy, watched on from the stands by none other than Paul Mescal!!! (the real one...)
11' Uncharacteristic error from Bundee Aki, who looked like he was about to make a line break, as he drops the ball and gives NZ a scrum on the halfway line
9' NZ awarded a penalty for Ireland's Ronan Kelleher not making a clear release from the tackle before attempting to jackal. It's a pretty harsh call and the crowd aren't happy.
Damian McKenzie lines up to take the kick and converts. 3-3
6' Ireland awarded the first penalty of the game for illegal blocking from New Zealand's Jordia Barrett on Mack Hansen whilst the ball was iin the air.
Crowley converts and Ireland take a 3-0 lead
4' After some nice phase play, Ireland knock the ball on and award NZ a scrum inside their own 22'
1' Early scrum for Ireland as a blocked down kick from Andrew Porter forces a knock on from Will Jordan. The crowd erupts
0' Kick Off
The anthems were belted out, and now it's time for the New Zealand Haka
President Michael D. Higgins now makes his way to the pitch, shaking hands with players from both sides
The teams are waiting in the tunnell to come out to a packed out Aviva Stadium
Good evening and welcome along to The University Observer's live coverage of Ireland against New Zealand. Oisín Gaffey reports live from The Aviva Stadium
Team Lineups
Ireland:
Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (C); Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Gary Ringrose, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Ian Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne
New Zealand:
Tamaiti Williams, Asafo Aumua, Tyrell Lomax; Scott Barrett (C), Tupou Vaa’i; Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea; Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Will Jordan
Replacements: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta