HOW THEY RATED

HUGO KEENAN 6

Outperformed by his opposite number under high ball and missed Lowe when he was almost in. Made key reactive tackle to kill counter attack. Worked socks off.

MACK HANSEN 7

Good footwork on the right flank with ball-in-hand. One poor kick cost Ireland a good chance, but made amends with a fine 50:22, and almost got Sheehan in with another. Recurrence of calf issue ended his day

GARRY RINGROSE 7

Got crowd on their feet with a couple of half-breaks early in the contest. Showed silky hands too with 18 passes in a busy shift and defended with typical might.

BUNDEE AKI 8 Arguably not wide enough for Fainga-anuku try. Ate a high hit from Mo’unga, but then asserted himself and his footwork ahead of his try was incredible. Huge turnover late almost preceded a winning try.

JAMES LOWE 7

Some monstrous hits on Retallick and Barrett early. Denied Jordan from a cross-field kick and proved a useful kicking option himself with trademark boot. Floating pass found Aki for try.

JOHNNY SEXTON (CAPT) 7

Aggressive approach in going for corner did not always pay dividends. Busy in the loose. Composed from the tee until he missed a crucial three-pointer. His final bow,

JAMISON GIBSON-PARK 7

Some smart kicks gave Ireland respite and brought some quick-ball but deliberated at the odd ruck. Shades of Stringer in sniping for his try and stopped an near-certain Savea try.

ANDREW PORTER 6

Conceded a penalty within seconds for going off his feet. Was at fault at scrum-time, conceding a couple more there too. Won a turnover himself and was more polished in the loose.

DAN SHEEHAN 6

Inconsistent with his darts as the Irish lineout blew hot and cold. He made good ground on the flank ahead of Aki’s try and was fingertips away from score of his own.

TADHG FURLONG 7 Left it all out there although did not have things his own way. Some abrasive carries with little reward. Rarely at fault when Ireland were pinged at scrum.

TADHG BEIRNE 8 A fruitful lineout option, doing so well to gather ahead of the penalty try. Harshly pinged for not rolling away early. A huge defensive shift with 16 tackles.

IAIN HENDERSON 6 Lineout faltered despite his presence and he failed to impose himself over the gain-line, conceding a turnover. Was a handy lineout option when it did go to plan.

PETER O’MAHONY 7

Safe hands at the lineout and nearly had a try in the corner under the high ball. Somewhat struggled to impose himself in the loose.

JOSH VAN DER FLIER 7 Made a strong tackle on Jordie Barrett early. Conceded a turnover but soon claimed his own from Fainga’anuku, working tirelessly with 17 tackles and eight carries. Whipped after 58 minutes.

CAELAN DORIS 7

Another one who was turned over, but bounced back with a big jackal steal. Carried with potency, although his knock-on on the restart felt game-defining.

REPLACEMENTS 5 Front-row replacements failed to bring security to the scrum. Ronan Kelleher held up for what would have been a match-winning try. Murray’s needless penalty allowed NZ to build gap. Jimmy O’Brien was lively.

ANDY FARRELL 6

Ireland have been so well coached that it was a surprise to see them falter. Needless penalty concessions and missed tackles, as well as a limp lineout costly. Tactically outdone.