Sam Cane leads from the front in a game for the ages
Revenge was sweet for the All Blacks as they strode one step closer to their pursuit of cathartic World Cup redemption.
The 78,000 punters at Stade de France in Paris — a sea of green and pockets of black — were treated to a class contest, one of the best in World Cup history, as Ireland and the All Blacks traded punch and counterpunch amid a fever-pitch atmosphere that stretched well into added time.
On that pinnacle stage, the All Blacks proved their resilience and resolve to overcome the odds by knocking out Ireland, the world’s No 1 side 28-24, to halt their 17-test unbeaten surge.
Ireland have achieved historic feats under Andy Farrell that include s their maiden series win in New Zealand last year. As the All Blacks exacted revenge for that low point, they ensured Ireland’s hoodoo of never progressing past a World Cup quarter-final lived on. That’s eight quarter-finals and counting now.
In the context of this tournament, the All Blacks are underdogs no more.
Ian Foster’s All Blacks have endured much adversity in the last four years, but surviving two yellow cards to emerge from a knife-edge knockout match ranks up there with anything else.
Their prize is a World Cup semifinal with Argentina at this venue on Saturday morning (8am NZT).
Tensions were high, nerves frayed, throughout the second half of this epic battle. Even Johnny Sexton felt the weight of pressure as he missed a crucial penalty from in front.
With Codie Taylor in the bin following a penalty try somehow, some way, Jordie Barrett managed to hold up an Irish attacker over the line with nine minutes remaining. Those were but two match-turning moments. From the goal line restart, Caelan Doris spilled the ball cold.
From there, the All Blacks ran down the clock and desperately defended like demons, displaying composure and discipline under immense pressure.
Finally, after 37 phases, veteran lock Sam Whitelock threw his body over the ball and earned the matchwinning penalty.
Every Irish player slumped to the
turf in pure agony — unable to believe their reality. The exhausted All Blacks rejoiced. Such are the fine margin emotions of this arena.
Tens of thousands of Irish fans had descended on Paris, signing Fields of Athenry in pubs, restaurants and on the streets. Never before had an Irish crowd been so expectant, so confident, against the All Blacks after three wins from the past four tests between the pair.
Never before have they experienced such a comedown.
With three tries each, little separated these great modern foes. The All Blacks, though, fully deserve their triumph. And they will now be heavily favoured to progress through to their first World Cup final since 2015 — their last and only Webb Ellis success on foreign soil.
The platform for this victory was laid by the All Blacks’ loose forwards.
Ireland had owned the breakdown battleground in this World Cup. The All Blacks loose forwards, though, met that challenge head-on there.
In an inspirational performance All Blacks captain Sam Cane smashed everything in sight including worldclass No 8 Doris.
Ardie Savea snaffled several turnovers. Cane grabbed his own steal, too, as did Brodie Retallick while defending the All Blacks line.
And with Shannon Frizell consistently carrying hard, the All Blacks loose forwards led the charge.
The set piece, where tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax gained the upper hand on his opposite Andrew Porter, also proved pivotal.
The All Blacks led 18-17 at halftime in a contest that constantly swung back and forth. Will Jordan’s try, after Richie Mo’unga split Irish defenders Josh van der Flier and Dan Sheehan, sparked the All Blacks after halftime.
On attack, the All Blacks displayed patience and composure throughout. In the heat of battle, under the brightest of lights, they mixed headsup footy with structured rugby to consistently probe one of the world’s best defences.
The All Blacks enjoyed success through the short kicking game to exploit space, and at other times adopted trench warfare tactics through hard-earned forward carries.
Ireland made their intentions clear by forming a figure of eight for the haka to evoke visions of England’s
V-shape in their successful semifinal victory over the All Blacks in 2019.
The All Blacks shook off a shaky start that featured two botched kicks and passes to hammer away at Ireland’s line through 30 relentless phases. While Ireland’s defence held on this occasion, the All Blacks banked the first points to settle early nerves.
Ireland’s no-fear mindset was evident in turning down multiple shots at goal in the first half. The All Blacks repelled the first maul attempt, though, to send a message of their own.
Beauden Barrett heeded Foster’s request for his men to not go into their shells by sparking a counter-attack with a chip kick that led to Rieko Ioane sending Leicester Fainga’anuku in at the corner for the opening try.
The All Blacks had to start well to quell the raucous Irish crowd. They did just that to lead 13-0 after 20 minutes.
With everything beginning to click, the All Blacks invited Ireland back with regular cracks appearing in their defence — ranked eighth in the tournament coming into this match.
Ireland regained composure after an obstruction penalty and then turned down two further shots to crank up the heat. Bundee Aki’s try, when he strolled past three defenders, undid much of the All Blacks’ early work as Ireland pulled within three points.
The All Blacks responded with Ardie Savea finishing in the corner but, just before the break, Aaron Smith’s yellow card for a reaction knock-down left a gaping hole for his opposite Jamison Gibson-Park to waltz through.
Ireland had many chances to steal the match in the second half with several maul attempts but, while the All Blacks bent at times, they refused to buckle.
That mental strength they will now seek to carry through the remainder of this tournament.
All Blacks 28: Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan tries, Richie Mo’unga pen, con, Jordie Barrett pen 2, con
Ireland 24: Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park, penalty try tries, Johnny Sexton pen, con 2