Twitter reacts to a ferocious first-half between Ireland and New Zealand

Exquisite stuff.

A soon as Ireland took that step forward at the haka, the fuse was lit and the meeting between the top two in world rugby hasn't disappointed. At half-time, Ireland lead New Zealand by 9-6 in a ferocious game of rugby. After a few early kicks to test Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale under the high ball, the All Blacks went through the phases and tested Ireland's defence early on until CJ Stander's brilliant steal forced a penalty for the hosts. After working their way up the pitch with some good work from Bundee Aki and Keith Earls, Johnny Sexton's penalty gave Ireland the lead just after the 10 minute mark. Fourteen minutes into the game and New Zealand had already conceded 4 penalties but the All Blacks did look dangerous with ball in hand - testament to the brilliant defensive work that Ireland were doing. In fact, Josh van der Flier made six tackles in 10 minutes. This being said, the pressure paid as the world champions drew level thanks to an expertly taken penalty by Beauden Barrett after Jacob Stockdale turned in field rather than booting the ball into touch. Compared to last week, Ireland's lineout has been functioning perfectly and it paid dividends when a deliberate offside penalty saw Sexton kick to touch. The subsequent maul was superb as Ireland won a five-meter scrum after being help up over the line. After Rob Kearney was adjudged to have knocked the ball on, the referee brought the play back for a penalty which Sexton duly converted. After never scoring a drop goal in his test career, Beauden Barrett's made it two in the space of two weeks when his long distance effort split the posts to level the game on 30 mins. Ireland's scrum has been superb throughout the first-half and they forced a penalty on 35 mins which Sexton booted into touch. After going into the corner, Ireland went through the phases  before they were awarded another penalty - the ninth that New Zealand conceded. Sexton slotted it over to make it Ireland 9-6 New Zealand at the break. Pulsating stuff. https://twitter.com/C4Sport/status/1063870241313181701 https://twitter.com/RTEsport/status/1063871159400312832 https://twitter.com/PaddyMcKenna/status/1063871493090742274 https://twitter.com/liamohaithrne/status/1063871343400230912 https://twitter.com/threeredkings/status/1063871195987304448 https://twitter.com/RTErugby/status/1063872825046396928 https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/1063876781214744578 https://twitter.com/RTErugby/status/1063877644750450688 https://twitter.com/RealBrentPope/status/1063877549133053953 https://twitter.com/MattRCNM/status/1063877155560542208 https://twitter.com/RTErugby/status/1063878482696974336 https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1063881270625738752