Magnificent Ireland rock All Blacks to seal historic series
COURAGEOUS Ireland held off a New Zealand fightback to claim a famous series win in Wellington.
Warhorse captain Johnny Sexton was supreme as the Irish shot out to a 22-3 lead by half-time, stunning the hosts with sparkling tries, bone-jarring tackles and razor-sharp skills.
The proud All Blacks, fired by rampaging Ardie Savea and jet-heeled winger Will Jordan, clawed their way back to within three points.
But replacement prop Rob Herring grabbed a try from a lineout drive to steady the Irish and their defence held off waves of attacks to ensure the win.
Sexton said: “We had four million people back at home, up for breakfast and probably having a couple of beers – we wanted to do them proud tonight and we certainly did that.
“We were playing against the very best in the world and to come down here and do that is very special.”
Ireland will shoot to the top of the world rankings a year from the World Cup.
The All Blacks slumped to back-to-back home defeats for the first time in 24 years. “We’re gutted,” said captain Sam Cane.
“We didn’t put out the performance we wanted to but we can’t take anything away from Ireland. They were too good tonight.” The
New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
Irish were daring from the start, with Sexton spurning an early shot at goal to set up a line-out drive and the opening try to flanker Josh van der Flier.
Fullback Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty for the home side in the 23rd minute but Sexton and his outside backs hit straight back with a try at the left corner – a no-look pass by winger James Lowe putting Hugo Keenan charging over.
Sexton’s partnership with centre Bundee Aki caused New Zealand headaches, the former’s quick hands putting the latter through a hole in front of the posts and setting up the third try to Robbie Henshaw three minutes from the break.
Savea’s try four minutes after the break reduced the deficit and after Ireland prop Andrew Porter was given a yellow card for a high tackle on lock Brodie Retallick, Akira Ioane capitalised with a 52nd-minute try.
Then a brilliant 70-metre try from Will Jordan brought the All Blacks closer but again Ireland rallied.
When Rob Herring broke off the maul and slammed the ball on the line, Sexton stuck the conversion in to carve out a 10-point lead that Ireland defended all the way to the siren.