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
Response to Haka: training tops on, steps forward, back for drill #rterugby #irevnzl pic.twitter.com/tBi5F4P8Tm
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 17, 2018
Jesus Christ Ireland not taking a backward step. Van Der Flier awesome. Goosebumps. #irevnz
— Paddy McKenna (@PaddyMcKenna) November 17, 2018
CJ Stander is a fucking Bull #IRENZ
— Willo Harney (@willoharney) November 17, 2018
WHAT A FUCKING STEAL FROM CJ FUCKING STANDER #IREvNZL
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) November 17, 2018
11' Ireland 3-0 NZ – Sexton off the tee. Ireland lead. https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #IREvNZL #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/MjShruKB1c
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
KEARNEY………..
Could it be…… ?!!!
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) November 17, 2018
27' Agonising! It's no try… Rob Kearney is desperately unfortunate. Sexton slots his penalty to nudge Ireland back in front though – 6-3 https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/MoBR3MWFi4
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
Ireland at this stage look the better side. Well deserved lead
— Brent Pope (@RealBrentPope) November 17, 2018
Ireland going toe to toe with world champions and…. they are on top. Magic.
— Matt Williams (@MattRCNM) November 17, 2018
30' Ireland 6-6 NZ – Beauden Barrett had penalty advantage here, but, whatever, if you have it flaunt it… https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #IREvNZL #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/wagjtoVOKb
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
Sexton makes it 9-6
New Zealand get their final, final, final, FINAL warning from Barnes
FINAL!
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 17, 2018
