Ireland's lose #1 ranking after All Black win
MATCH REPORT: Ireland is certain to lose their No.1 position on the world rankings, after a 13-23 loss to New Zealand in Dublin on Friday.
Not only is it the All Blacks' second year-end win, but it is also a repeat of the victory they scored over the then-top-ranked Irish in the World Cup quarterfinal in Paris last year.
While the teams scored one try each in a tight affair, the boot of flyhalf Damian McKenzie, six penalties, proved to be the difference.
If South Africa wins or draws against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, the Springboks return to No.1.
If they lose, New Zealand goes top.
The Irish must regroup to host Argentina next Friday, while the All Blacks play France.
* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!
* The article continues below ....
New Zealand ended Ireland's 19-match winning streak at Lansdowne Road with Friday's win.
"It was extremely tough, the Irish are a great side. I'm proud of the boys' efforts," McKenzie said in his post-match reaction.
"It's never easy to win here in Dublin so we're really happy."
"We've had a very good 10 days away, it's not an excuse," Ireland captain Caelan Doris said.
"We just need to be better."
The match started well for the hosts, Jack Crowley putting them ahead in the eighth minute with a penalty.
However, McKenzie - starting instead of Beauden Barrett who failed a Head Injury Assessment in last Saturday's win over England - soon levelled.
The edge between the sides because of a tetchy end to their World Cup quarterfinal last year boiled over as Joe McCarthy eye-balled All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, resulting in several Kiwis surrounding him.
McCarthy going head to head with Barrett brought Irish actor Paul Mescal - in town for the premiere of his latest film Gladiator II - to his feet, punching the air in delight.
The All Blacks settled and put together some neat passing, only great tackles by Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park preventing tries.
Yet after over 10 minutes of constant pressure, the All Blacks only came away with a penalty - converted by McKenzie.
Both sides were making elementary errors, McCarthy at fault for a lost Irish line-out handing the All Blacks more possession.
This led to an Irish infringement and McKenzie accepted the opportunity to strike another penalty for 9-3.
However, the battered Irish trooped off at half-time only 9-6 down.
Crowley converted a penalty after Jordie Barrett was penalised - and sin-binned - for a high tackle on his soon-to-be Leinster teammate Garry Ringrose.
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'Bete noire'
The Irish began the second half with more fire, dragging former All Blacks captain Sam Cane back over his line for a five-metre scrum.
They made it count as Josh van der Flier went over for a try and at last brought the home crowd to their feet.
Crowley converted for 13-9.
McKenzie reduced the deficit with a long-range penalty, all the more admirable as the ball fell off its tee and he had to put it back with the clock ticking down.
Irish Head coach Andy Farrell rang the changes shortly before the hour, making four changes including Ciaran Frawley for Crowley.
One of the replacements, prop Tom O'Toole, lasted just minutes before he was led off after taking a hit to the head in a collision with Wallace Sititi.
The braided Finlay Bealham, who had just about regained his breath, had to trundle on again.
Bealham was shaking his head in bemusement seconds later as he was penalised. McKenzie punished him by slotting over the penalty for 15-13.
McKenzie added another three points when Iain Henderson was punished for not releasing in the tackle.
The Irish were flagging.
Their bete noire Jordan went over in the corner for his fifth try in five Ireland Tests.
McKenzie failed to land the conversion but the visitors had a 10-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
"Our discipline was definitely a big factor," said Doris.
"The first half, we gave them territory, points. We felt it might swing in the second half, it was definitely a factor."
The Irish pressed but the outstanding Ardie Savea forced a turnover prompting huge celebrations as the All Blacks became the first visitors to win at Lansdowne Road since France in 2021
"We were able to build pressure through our kicking game," said Mackenzie.
"Test matches like that are won in small moments. We capitalised on some great moments, got some penalties and some points."
Man of the match: For Ireland Josh van der Flier was the most productive forward and wing James Lowe was their best player - with some amazing clearance kicks, including a sublime 50-20 with less than 10 minutes remaining when the hosts were chasing the game and needed some magic. New Zealand loose forwards Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi were huge influencers in the contest. Our award goes to All Black flyhalf Damian McKenzie - for his game management and the 18 points (six penalties) off the boot.
Moment of the match: In a tight contest the match-winning moment was the Will Jordan try in the 69th minute - a great example of the danger New Zealand's back pose with their interplay.
Villain of the match: There was the Jordie Barrett yellow card on the stroke of half-time, but the Ireland replacement Ciaran Frawley had a horror show - repeatedly dropping the ball under pressure and costing his team any chance of a win.
The scorers
For Ireland
Try: Van der Flier
Con: Crowley
Pens: Crowley 2
For New Zealand
Try: Jordan
Pens: McKenzie 6
Yellow card: Jordie Barrett (New Zealand, 40 - foul play, high tackle)
Teams:
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14, Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadgh Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Jamie Osborne.
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Stephen Perofeta.
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)