Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final curse rages on. Coming into the knockout rounds on the again of a formidable 17-Test unbeaten run, Ireland had been despatched packing by the All Blacks.
The All Blacks took the lead by a Richie Mo’unga penalty purpose within the seventh minute and didn’t look again. Ireland mounted a late assault within the hopes of profitable however fell brief, dropping 28-24.
Their quarter-final hoodoo continues. They’re now 0-8 at this stage of the competitors. Here’s how Ireland rated.
- Hugo Keenan – 5.5/10
Fullback Hugo Keenan was secure out the again however didn’t actually provide a lot in opposition to a rampaging All Blacks outfit. Keenan solely carried the ball a few occasions and made seven tackles, and didn’t have an enormous say in Ireland’s potential comeback late within the second time period.
- Mack Hansen – 5.5
Australian-born wing Mack Hansen left the sector in a world of harm about 15 minutes into the second half. Hansen missed coaching earlier this week on account of a calf damage and that seemed to be the issue as soon as once more as he was helped from the sector. It was a tricky blow for Ireland with Hansen one of many staff’s higher gamers through the second time period.
With a compression sock round his calf, wing Mack Hansen despatched the Ireland crowd right into a frenzy with an electrifying line break through the first half – however Hansen actually got here alive in his 15 minutes on the park after the break. Hansen transformed a 50/22 and appeared threatening with the ball in hand.
- Garry Ringrose – 6.5
Garry Ringrose impressed through the opening time period with some purposeful carries with the ball. The centre was among the many staff leaders for runs by HT, which included an attention-grabbing line break simply after Bundee Aki’s attempt.
- Bundee Aki- 7.5
Once once more, Bundee Aki was clearly Ireland’s finest player. The New Zealand-born centre ran with goal and intent each time he received his fingers on the ball, and it labored wonders with the No. 12 getting over the acquire line every time. It induced New Zealand issues too. Aki additionally scored Ireland’s first attempt as he beat Rieko Ioane, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax to cross for the rating.
- James Lowe – 3
James Lowe had one in every of his worst performances in an Irish jersey. Lowe dropped the ball behind him and over the sideline along with his first contact, and this virtually summed up the wing’s off evening at Stade de France. Lowe wasn’t simply off, he was ineffective in virtually all sides of the sport.
- Johnny Sexton – 7
First issues first, congratulations Johnny Sexton on an excellent rugby profession. The Ireland captain performed his final Test on Saturday – there can be no fairytale World Cup triumph that Sexton so rightly deserved. Instead, it was extra All Blacks heartbreak.
Everything went by Sexton, as you’d count on. With Ireland trying to mount assault after assault with time up on the clock, the ball went to the veteran flyhalf. Sexton appeared threatening, nevertheless it wasn’t to be. Sexton solely missed one shot at purpose nevertheless it was a expensive one with the match coming right down to the wire.
- Jamison Gibson-Park – 4
Ireland couldn’t fairly get issues going early on in opposition to the All Blacks and a number of that, sadly, comes again to halfback Jamison Gibson-Park. The New Zealand-born No. 9 was enjoying at a staff completely different tempo to his Irish teammates in assault they usually couldn’t sustain. Ireland gamers had been caught remoted on a number of events through the first-term, however there have been moments had been the fast-paced play labored wonders.
Gibson-Park completed the half with a decisive attempt simply earlier than the half-time break. The scrum-half caught Will Jordan in two minds as he sliced by the All Blacks’ defence for the rating. But general, it was a irritating evening for Gibson-Park with the halfback making some telling errors after the break.
- Andrew Porter – 5
Prop Andrew Porter was comparatively spectacular for Ireland through the opening time period. Watching on from the grandstand at Stade de France it was unimaginable to overlook the tireless front-rower who completed the primary half with probably the most carries out of any Irish player. Porter was penalised contained in the opening minute, although, which was a blip on an in any other case robust efficiency. Porter was on the sector for 75 minutes although and deserves some plaudits for that.
- Dan Sheehan – 5.5
Hooker Dan Sheehan labored laborious across the park – carrying the ball 10 occasions, which was a selected spotlight – and was largely correct on the set-piece. Sheehan had a lineout gained in opposition to the throw by All Black Ardie Savea through the first time period, however this wasn’t the norm on the set-piece.
- Tadhg Furlong – 5.5
Tadhg Furlong was a defensive work-horse for Ireland on Saturday night. Furlong made 11 tackles, which noticed him end among the many leaders for Ireland by the point he was changed 10 minutes into the second-half. Ireland had been bested on the set-piece, though Furlong held his personal in a person battle with All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot.
- Tadhg Beirne – 6
On a tricky evening for Ireland, lock Tadgh Beirne threw every part he may at a relentless All Blacks facet. Beirne completed with the equal-most tackles out of any Irish player with 17 and in addition contributed to a gradual set-piece. Not an excellent efficiency however not a poor one both.
- Iain Henderson – 5.5
Veteran lock Iain Henderson jogged off the sector at Stade de France after a disappointing evening in opposition to New Zealand. Ireland struggled to take any ascendency on the Test and that displays on Henderson’s ranking. While the Irish’ set-piece was sound, Henderson was ineffective for lengthy stretches of this nail-biting quarter-final.
- Peter O’Mahony – 5.5
Playing his 101st Test match, Peter O’Mahony was uncharacteristically quiet in opposition to the All Blacks. O’Mahony went lacking, for lengthy intervals of the Test too. But to his credit score, the blindside flanker plied his commerce in the dead of night arts of rugby – ending with 15 tackles and a few first rate work on the breakdown.
- Josh van der Flier – 6
Some could disagree with this however Josh van der Flier was one in every of Ireland’s finest through the first-half specifically. The world-class openside flanker was within the thick of the motion early and carried that kind all through the remainder of his time on the sector. Van der Flier completed with the equal-most tackles out of any Irish player.
That being stated, whereas the No. 7 appeared to be in all places, not quite a bit paid off for him. Van der Flier had a tricky evening on the breakdown, missed a few key tackles, and was penalised within the 18th minute for not releasing the ball. Van der Flier was good in moments, however in reflection was not nice.
- Caelan Doris – 6
Ireland have 55% of possession in opposition to the All Blacks, however like a number of his teammates, Number Eight Caelan Doris made his mark on the defensive facet of the ball. The backrower completed the evening with a formidable 13 tackles and solely two carries.
Replacements:
- Ronan Kelleher – 6
- Dave Kilcoyne – 5
- Finlay Bealham – 5.5
- Joe McCarthy – 6
- Jack Conan – 6.5
- Conor Murray – 5.5
- Jack Crowley – N/A
- Jimmy O’Brien – 6.5 – Looked actually good off the bench. Replaced injured wing Mack Hansen.
