Impressive Ireland beaten by dogged All Blacks

New Zealand gained revenge for their first ever defeat to Ireland as they produced a monumental defensive effort to win 21-9 at the Aviva Stadium.

Looking to inflict back-to-back defeats on the All Blacks, Joe Schmidt’s side produced an impressive display but found their opponent’s defensive resolve impossible to wear down.

Malakai Fekitoa scored two tries and man-of-the-match Beauden Barrett grabbed another as Steve Hansen’s men, having leaked five tries in Chicago a fortnight ago, kept Ireland tryless.

Schmidt will be able to take great heart form his side’s display though with Sean O’Brien and replacement Josh van der Flier really catching the eye.

Injuries in the first half to three key players made Ireland’s task tougher and Schmidt will be sweating on his side’s fitness ahead of next weekend’s meeting with Australia.

New Zealand reminded the world why they are world champions with a vastly-improved performance but Ireland reminded everyone that they are not infallible and a win over Australia will finish a very satisfying November series of internationals.

he home side went behind in the first few minutes, Barrett’s cross-field kick was collected by Fekitoa who sidestepped Conor Murray before touching down for the game’s opening try; Barrett added the extras.

Ireland responded well to that opening salvo and battered away at their opponents’ line but just failed to get over the line; a resulting penalty from Jonathan Sexton however, got the hosts onto the scoreboard.

They suffered a big blow soon after when Robbie Henshaw was stretchered off after receiving a head injury when the victim of a reckless All Black tackle.

But the visitors extended their lead on 13 minutes with a controversial try from Barrett, the out-half taking full advantage of sloppy Irish defence to surge through a gap and touch down but replays suggested Sexton had miraculously prevented the try with a brilliant tackle; the TMO thought otherwise though.

Ireland suffered further injury blows before the half-hour mark when Sexton and CJ Stander were both forced to leave the field; Sexton’s replacement Paddy Jackson sent over a penalty to close the deficit.

New Zealand continued to threaten when they entered Irish territory while Ireland, enjoying plenty of possession, where struggling at times to produce the creativity which would breach the gain line.

Ireland came storming out after the break, enjoying the bulk of the possession and forcing New Zealand to display their defensive capabilities but they continued to find clear opportunities hard to come by.

Fekitoa was sinbinned for yet another high tackle from the world champions and Ireland pressed hard to make it count on the scoreboard; after 17 minutes of the second period they had enjoyed 88% of the possession and finally got reward when New Zealand were penalised for holding on, Jackson sending over the penalty.

Despite all the Irish pressure it was New Zealand who got the next, decisive, try but there was a hint of doubt around it; superb passing on the left eventually freed Fekitoa to cross the line for his second try but Ireland captain Rory Best’s – who produced another towering display – efforts to get the referee to ask the TMO to look at a potential forward pass were in vain.

Ireland continued to plug away but it was not to be but they made a great impression with this display along with that great night in Chicago.

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