IRISH DELIVER KIWI KNOCKOUT
New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
JOHNNY SEXTON warned that Ireland’s heroes cannot let history repeat itself after battling to a landmark series win in New Zealand.
A week on from their first victory over the All Blacks on Kiwi soil, Ireland produced another stunning display yesterday.
This famous triumph in Wellington goes down as one of Ireland’s greatest rugby achievements.
But skipper Sexton immediately urged his team-mates not to peak too soon ahead of next year’s World Cup.
The fly-half said: “It means a lot now. I know in a year’s time when the World Cup starts it won’t mean anything, as we’ve learnt before.
“But we’ll certainly enjoy this for maybe a couple more days, and then we’ve got to keep improving.
“That’s what we’ve got to learn from previous years but this group of boys, the management we’ve got, they’re a very special group and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
Andy Farrell’s men led by 19 points at the break courtesy of a spellbinding first-half display which brought tries for Josh Van Der Flier, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw.
But the All Blacks moved to within three points in a breathless second period thanks to scores from Ardie Savea, Akira Ioane and Will Jordan, before Rob Herring crossed to help the tourists home on an historic evening.
Members of Ireland’s triumphant squad were pictured in tears at fulltime as they savoured arguably the greatest result in their nation’s history.
Sexton, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, chipped in with 12 points, becoming the second man to surpass 1,000 in the green jersey.
Farrell credited his team for not panicking
when the All Blacks roared back early in the second period.
“I didn’t think we got carried away when things were going well,” said the Ireland head coach.
“We knew they were going to come back – but then we just dusted ourselves down and got back on task.”
Farrell says his players have the confidence to beat any team in the world, after leapfrogging France to the top of the rankings.
“They already do believe that because they keep turning up and surprising me,” he added.
“These guys have won a lot of stuff – this one will top it, I’d have thought.” NEW ZEALAND: Tries: Savea, Ioane, Jordan. Pen: Barrett. Cons: Barrett (2). IRELAND: Tries: Van der Flier, Keenan, Henshaw, Herring. Pens: Sexton (2). Cons: Sexton (3).
In a year’s time when the World Cup starts this all
means nothing