YES!!
Ireland have picked up just their second win in 113 years against New Zealand – their first on Irish soil – after a superb 16-9 win against the world champions in Dublin.
After a pulsating opening 40 minutes of rugby that saw Ireland lead by three points – three Johnny Sexton penalties got Ireland on the board while Beauden Barrett split the posts twice for the visitors – Ireland nearly got off to the worst state possible.
Jacob Stockdale was breathing a massive sigh of relief when his little dink over the top was blocked down by Kieran Read who uncharacteristically knocked it on.
After some jinxing footwork by Julian Savea, Peter O’Mahony did brilliantly to get his body over the ball and win a penalty as Ireland curbed the early New Zealand onslaught.
New Zealand changed their whole front-row after 47 minutes but it didn’t matter when Jacob Stockdale picked up a lovely pass from Bundee Aki and backed himself after kicking over and crossing the whitewash for a wonderful try.
From a tight angle, Johnny Sexton’s wonderful conversion put 10 points between the sides on 50 minutes.
After Beauden Barrett was pushed into touch on his own five-meter line, it was clear that the world champions were shook but they managed to turn it over and clear the danger.
Rob Kearney was lucky to escape a yellow when he chased his garryowen and collided with Rieko Iaone in the air.
An incredibly impressive Kieran Marmion made way for Luke McGrath on 58 minutes and moments later, Peter O’Mahony made a massive intervention when it looked like New Zealand had men over in the corner.
O’Mahony somehow went to the well moments later and once again, the Munster man delivered with an exquisite steal which proved to be his last action of the game.
Barrett’s penalty on 68 minutes made it a seven point game as Ireland’s defence went deeper and deeper into their own half.
The New Zealand onslaught was halted after CJ Stander won a penalty moments later, Jacob Stockdale made another break for the line but was halted by a tap tackle that brought the Ulster man to the ground.
A combination of Johnny Sexton and Jacob Stockdale did trojan work to drive the All Blacks into touch on their own try line but Sean Cronin’s throw-in didn’t find a green jersey.
New Zealand attacked the Irish line right into the final moments as the world champions went through the phases and inched into the Irish 22 but Joe Schmidt’s men held on to claim a famous win.
https://twitter.com/C4Sport/status/1063886240640974848
45' Ireland 9-6 NZ – Oh Jacob! That is a big let-off for Ireland, after a glorious first touch as well… it's been some game https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/k43GCXQwgq
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
PETER O'MAHONY!!!!!
That was so, so needed!
What a turnover!— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) November 17, 2018
Poor Jacob Stockdale is a bag of nerves after that earlier mistake https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby #IREvNZ pic.twitter.com/RTDZTO0IWI
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
Yellow?
— Matt Williams (@MattRCNM) November 17, 2018
God I miss rucking sometimes#IREvNZL
— Mike Ross (@MikeRoss03) November 17, 2018
Yoink! Try-saver from POM! https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/2HFG1NMKqq
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
Peter O’Mahony today = Richard Dunne in Moscow.
— Eoin McDevitt (@EoinMcDevitt) November 17, 2018
PETER O'MAHONY!!!!!!!!
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 17, 2018
Standing ovation for Peter O'Mahony 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5ZIGncKpoD
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) November 17, 2018
Just us? #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/bZN43BwEvN
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) November 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/C4Sport/status/1063893919761461249
69' Ireland 16-9 NZ – It's squeaky bum time… https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/Oyt7D0ZGZd
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
Every. Inch. Matters! https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/CwYLOyaays
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
YESSSSSS! What a performance!
Congratulations to @IrishRugby on a fantastic 16-9 win over the All Blacks! #IREvNZL
☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/t3wgw93mC0
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 17, 2018
All over – shout all you like now #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/7Esk6Fv6eQ
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) November 17, 2018
IT'S ALL OVER! IRELAND BEAT THE ALL BLACKS 16-9!! #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/aOTULhKYt0
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) November 17, 2018
THEY'VE DONE IT!!!!! https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/ESgCA6UX6K
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
