OFF THE ALL BLACKS FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME

second, whereupon New Zealand strode up the other end of the field – and Barrett dropped a goal to level the scores again.

Ireland’s pack pulverised New Zealand at the scrum again, but had to content themselves with another Sexton penalty.

Kieran Read’s shock knock-on handed Stockdale a huge reprieve to open the second half.

Stockdale showed inexperience in attempting a crude chip over the towering No.8. Read charged down the effort and had the line at his mercy despite a 40m run-in – but bungled the ball forwards.

Stockdale’s big let-off turned into total redemption moments later, when he stunned the visitors with a try of the highest class.

Sexton switched with Bundee Aki, the Connacht battering ram fired a bullet pass across the ruck – and Stockdale set off through the stunned All Blacks defence. One deep punt later and he outpaced the cover to the ball and dotted down, with Sexton’s conversion making it 16-6.

Somehow Ireland kept holding on. Barrett’s second penalty of the night closed the gap to seven points but Ireland held on.

England survived an almighty scare yesterday as Japan threatened another giant slaying before Joe Cokanasiga’s try sealed a victory at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones had urged the Brave Blossoms to “go to the temple and pray” in the third of the autumn’s Internationals, but instead it was England’s head coach who was pleading to the heavens as his side fell 15-10 behind at half-time.

The Test remained alive until the 72nd minute when bulldozing Bath wing Cokanasiga powered over to mark his debut with a try.

Until that point, Japan’s speed of thought, ability to keep the ball alive and willingness to try the unexpected caused chaos in English ranks.

The energy had emptied from the tourists’ legs and England capitalised when Mark Wilson touched down in the 59th minute, but it was far from over as slick footwork and imagination made Japan a constant threat.

Cokanasiga struck, however, before a late Dylan Hartley try unfairly disfigured the final score.

Meanwhile, Wales extended their unbeaten run to eight games by comprehensively crushing Tonga 74-24 in Cardiff.