Ireland 24-28 New Zealand: Andy Farrell’s side lose their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash as the All Blacks fashion their best performance in outstanding victory
Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final curse struck again on Saturday night.
The fact remains that no team in green has ever reached the final four of a World Cup. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. This time it was supposed to be different.
But New Zealand, sidelined in most quarters, ended the Parisian feast of Irish rugby and sent Andy Farrell’s team out. The Irish fans had started early. But they returned home in despair.
At the Moulin Rouge, a die-hard Irishman warmed up for the match by weaving through traffic with a rugby ball.
He ran again and again, wearing only a mankini and a green bucket hat. The madness had begun.
Ireland’s dismal run of never reaching the Rugby World Cup semi-finals continued as New Zealand claimed a miraculous 24-28 victory.
Ireland crashed out of the Rugby World Cup in tough defeat against inspired New Zealand team
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton (right) suffered defeat and will now retire from rugby.
Nearly 6,000 miles from the French capital, another great Irish outfit, U2, prepared for their Las Vegas concert by sending their best wishes to Farrell’s men.
An impatient sea of green filled the Stade de France. But the All Blacks came and ruined the show. Did Ireland choke when it mattered most? I do not think so.
They played excellent rugby and, time and time again, fought back. But the bottom line is that once again they failed to deliver on their promises on the biggest stage. This will harm them to no end.
Ireland were beaten by the better team. Johnny Sexton’s career is over.
New Zealand, who have distinguished themselves, will now face Argentina on Friday at the Stade de France for a place in the final.
All of a sudden they now look like real World Cup contenders after former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt beat his old team in a thrilling test match for the ages.
The remarkable Irish supporters were present in force at lunchtime. Farrell’s team enjoyed fervent support at this World Cup, but they took it to another level with the start of knockout rugby.
There is a special bond between them and this Irish team and it is not surprising.
It was a long preparation. Fueled with lager, they filled the stadium early. Captain Sexton received a huge ovation when he showed up for the warm-up.
On paper, this was the best-equipped team in Irish history to end their quarter-final hoodoo given they arrived here on the back of 17 straight wins and as the world’s No. 1 team .
They failed to reach the 18th. New Zealand, on the other hand, had a difficult preparation. Winger Mark Telea was dropped for this huge game after a team disciplinary infraction. An interview with Telea in the €15 matchday program in light of his midweek activities was a reminder of what the All Blacks could have had.
The drizzle arrived on the eve of kick-off. Athenry Fields completely drowned out the Haka, with the Irish players lining up in a response eight.
This was in honor of former number 8 Anthony Foley, with the anniversary of his death scheduled for tomorrow (MON). Ireland did the same by beating New Zealand in Chicago in 2016.
With Foley once again providing inspiration, Ireland saw their opposition get off to a good start. New Zealand went through 29 phases and Richie Mo’unga scored three runs.
Ardie Savea then collected the ball to win a penalty, with Jordie Barrett interjecting just inside the Irish half. His kick made the score 6-0.
In a packed press box, two one-eyed New Zealand journalists tried to compensate for the mostly Irish crowd by supporting their team. A black wall excluded Ireland. Then came the New Zealand attack. Beauden Barrett fought back brilliantly, taking the advantage and recovering his own kick. At left-back the ball went away, an effortless handling sending Telea’s replacement, Leicester Fainga’anuku, over the line, although Rieko Ioane’s crucial pass was expected forward. Still, it was wonderful rugby.
Ireland was stunned. They were down 13-0. But Sexton responded with a penalty.
A hit on Mo’unga’s Bundee Aki was checked but overturned. And that seemed to irritate the Irish center who has arguably been the player of this World Cup so far.
Aki has power in spades, but he showed he also has dexterity in rushing forward for Ireland’s opener and Sexton’s conversion closed the gap further.
The Irish touch was not shooting. This proved crucial. On another loose throw, Will Jordan threw a 50:22 and the outstanding Savea finished in the corner to make the most of field position.
But when the game turned, Aaron Smith received a yellow card for deliberately hitting a pass from Mack Hansen. Ireland made the most of their numerical advantage, with Jamison Gibson-Park scoring.
Ireland would have been happy to be just a point behind at the break given their early deficit.
Mo’unga remained New Zealand’s emergency number 9 early in the second half, with Smith still in the dustbin.
Hansen then followed Jordan with a 50:22 before Smith came back. The Irish defense was exceptional. But, out of nowhere, it cracked. From a New Zealand sideline, Mo’unga showed his running threat as he outran a crucial missed tackle from Josh van der Flier. With the Electric Jordan behind it, there would only be one winner.
Jordie Barrett converted. Ireland then lost Hansen, who had been a doubt to start this match with a calf problem.
And when Sexton missed a penalty, you sensed trouble on the horizon.
But after Farrell offloaded the bench, Ireland finally won a lineout and their maul was unstoppable. It felt so good that New Zealand whore Codie Taylor tried to stop him illegally. Referee Wayne Barnes quickly awarded a penalty try and gave Taylor a yellow card.
Jordie Barrett couldn’t answer the seven automatic points with a long-range kick, but had better luck a few minutes later after being blocked following a high kick.
Ireland crossed the line and a fourth try looked certain, but incredible work from Jordie Barrett prevented a try and Caelan Doris managed the drop.
New Zealand played smart rugby without Taylor and when he returned they blanked the match, leaving all of Ireland totally and utterly devastated.
Farrell’s side pushed all the way but went through a remarkable 37 phases without joy and for the 10th World Cup in a row, that was not the case.
The Irish grief was absolute.