Rugby News

Ireland came so close to first ever win against New Zealand this morning but a late Dan Carter drop goal gave the All Blacks a 22-19 win. We’re sobbing into our cornflakes here at JOE Towers.

After watching what New Zealand did to us last week, followed by the mauling Spain dished out to us at the Euros, we weren’t exactly tuning in with much hope in our hearts this morning for the second Irish Test against the Kiwis.

Yes we had some important players back like Mike Ross but we sat down in more hope than expectation. But Declan Kidney’s side were the ones who put on a show for the Christchurch crowd, not the home side. Conor Murray reached across to score an early try for Ireland and we restricted the All Blacks to just three penalties by half-time, going in 10-9 up.

We expected an All Black onslaught and the pressure told a Ireland coughed up a try and a penalty to put the home side up 19-13 at one point. But Gordon D’Arcy went off, Jonny Sexton moved to centre, Ronan O’Gara came in and Ireland started to put pressure on a now visibly worried New Zealand team.

Ireland levelled it with 10 to go, 19-19, and then Israel Dagg deservedly saw yellow, setting us up for a grandstand finish. An Sexton penalty fell short before Carter miscued one drop goal attempt, with a little help from Sean O'Brien. He didn’t botch his second crack at it, stroking it home in the final minute.

Ireland deserved something from this game. We got nothing. Sport is very cruel like that. Here are the highlights. Heartbreaking to watch.