Good afternoon and welcome along to our live coverage of Ireland’s final pool match at the 2017 U20 World Championship as Peter Malone’s side take on New Zealand.
Ireland are still searching for their first win in this tournament after defeats to Italy and Scotland and it doesn’t get any easier today as they come up against a formidable looking All Blacks outfit.
Kick off in Kutaisi is at 12.30pm and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens right here.
Here’s a reminder of how Ireland got on in their opening two games in Pool B.
Peter Malone has made 12 changes to his side for today’s game from the one which were torn apart by Scotland on Sunday, with Alan Tynan, Sean Masterson and Jack Kelly the only players to retain their place.
A new-look front row will see Joey Conway and Greg McGrath start alongside hooker Adam Maloney. Jack Regan and Gavin Coombes partner in the second row, while Masterson and flankers Marcus Rea and John Foley make up the back row.
David McCarthy earns his first Ireland U20 cap alongside Kelly in the centre while Liam Coombes, who joined the squad this week as an injury replacement, lines out for his first cap on one wing, while Michael Silvester, who came off the bench against Scotland, patrols the other.
Ireland:
15. Alan Tynan (Young Munster/ Munster)
14. Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster)
13. Jack Kelly (Dublin University/ Leinster) Capt.
12. David McCarthy (Garryowen/Munster)
11. Liam Coombes (Garryowen/Munster)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
9. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/ Ulster)
1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians/Munster)
2. Adam Moloney (Shannon/Munster)
3. Greg McGrath (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
4. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/ Munster)
5. Jack Regan (UCD/ Leinster)
6. Marcus Rea (Queen’s University/Ulster)
7. John Foley (Shannon/Munster)
8. Sean Masterson (Corinthians/ Connacht)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (UCD/ Leinster)
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster)
18. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University/Leinster)
19. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/ Munster)
20. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
21. Jack Stafford (Shannon/ Munster)
22. Conor Dean (St. Mary’s/ Leinster)
23. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/ Leinster)
This is how things stand in Pool B after Scotland narrowly beat Italy 17-16 a littler earlier and a cursory glance at the table underlines the size of the task awaiting Ireland this afternoon.
New Zealand may have already assured themselves of a place in the last four, and coach Craig Philpott has rung the changes, but the Baby Blacks are certainly keen to avenge last year’s defeat to Ireland, a result which meant that failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in the tournament’s history.
James Ryan, Andrew Porter and Jacob Stockdale were all involved for Ireland that day, with all three currently on tour with the senior squad ahead of the Tests against USA and Japan.
Sweltering conditions again in Georgia with temperatures hitting 27 degrees ahead of kick off. The teams are out and it’s time for the national anthems, starting with Ireland’s Call.
There’s a large Irish continent inside the AIA Arena for this one but before we get underway, we’re going to have the Haka.
Ireland's Call rings out around Kutaisi. ï¼ @IrishRugby vs The All Blacks is LIVE now on eir Sport 1! #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/DZTvZSkjDt
— eirSport (@eirSport) June 8, 2017
Kick off! Conor Fitzgerald gets us underway.
Good start for Ireland as they chase the kick off and put New Zealand under pressure, with Faingaanuku knocking on. After a reset, Ireland get a good shove on and eventually win the scrum penalty, which they kick for the corner.
Ireland putting New Zealand under early pressure but the wall of black shirts is standing firm. Stewart is directing proceedings, popping it out to the forwards who keep it tight.
After multiple phases of possession, the All Blacks are caught offside and Ireland are awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Fitzgerald is calling for the tee this time.
Penalty! Ireland 3-0 New Zealand (Fitzgerald)
Ireland’s good start is rewarded with points on the board as Fitzgerald makes no mistake.
Ireland kicked the ball away far too easily on Sunday against Scotland and a poor kicking game allowed the Scots to unleash their expansive running game, which caused serious damage.
Malone’s side will need to avoid doing that again today but a poor clearing kick gives New Zealand a good attacking platform, from which they win a penalty after an Irish player was caught offside.
Miss! Falcon, the New Zealand out-half, just pulls his effort and it sails narrowly wide of the posts. Ireland’s early advantage remains intact.
Walker-Leawere bursts through and it takes a couple of Irish defenders to stop the powerful second row in his tracks, before Gavin Coombes does incredibly work on the ground to force the turnover. Stewart finds an excellent touch with the clearing kick.
TRY! Ireland 3-7 New Zealand (Clarke)
From the lineout, Caleb Clarke picks a brilliant line and shows his electric pace to burst through the hole in the Irish defence and then shows another gear to sidestep Michael Silvester and run it into the corner.
Brief stoppage in play as the referee goes upstairs and asks the TMO to take a closer look at a high tackle on Jack Kelly. The Ireland captain was certainly caught high but he appeared to duck into the tackle from Lindenmuth and it’s just a penalty.
TRY! Ireland 3-12 New Zealand (Will Jordan)
Ireland are exposed out wide and New Zealand have a six-versus-four, which they clinically take advantage of as Ennor picks the gap and draws the last line of defence to give Jordan the simple task of dotting down.
After a bright start, Ireland are really on the back foot now and a third handling error of the game gives New Zealand an attacking scrum. It could be a long afternoon for Peter Malone’s side.
TRY! Ireland 3-19 New Zealand (Braydon Ennor)
Brilliant execution again from the All Blacks but it’s very weak from Ireland in defence as they’re caught short on the near side and the two centres combine to give Ennor an easy run in.
TRY! Ireland 3-26 New Zealand (Will Jordan)
Ireland simply can’t contain the All Blacks at the minute as they run it from deep and fullback Will Jordan embarks on an arching and pacy run which leaves the green shirts chasing shadows. While it’s brilliant style of rugby, it has been a tough watch from an Irish point of view.
Some brief respite for Ireland as they win a penalty after a period of patient possession in front of the New Zealand posts. They kick for the corner and the rolling maul has some good forward momentum, but there’s no budging this All Black defence.
Ireland have been forced into a change here as captain Jack Kelly hobbles off with an ankle problem he sustained in the build-up to New Zealand’s first try. Ciaran Frawley is on in his place.
Ireland have been camped inside the New Zealand 22 for the last eight minutes, with the forwards plugging away and keeping it tight, but it’s energy-sapping stuff and the players are taking on huge amounts of liquid out there.
New Zealand have conceded four penalties in the same position for the same offence during this passage of play and Masterson asks the question of the referee, but he’s keeping the cards in his pocket for now.
TRY! Ireland 3-31 New Zealand (Clarke)
That’s a killer blow for Ireland as they fail to come away from the New Zealand 22 with anything to show for their efforts and are punished at the other end as Clarke streaks clear for his second try.
Half time! Ireland 3-31 New Zealand
We’re back underway! Here we go for the second half.
New Zealand on the front foot again straight away as Ireland concede the penalty in front of their own posts. The All Blacks go for the corner.
TRY! Ireland 3-38 New Zealand (Christie)
It’s all too easy for the All Blacks. New Zealand rumble towards the Irish line and Christie just peels off the pack and crashes over. Ireland looking very weary out there.
TRY! Ireland 3-45 New Zealand (Enari)
Oh dear. Aumua shows incredible power to bounce off Foley and he then bursts through a couple of more attempted tackles before offloading for Falcon to breeze home. This has the potential to get very ugly for Ireland.
Peter Malone looks to freshen things up as he makes two changes with Doris on for Rea and Dean replacing Fitzgerald.
Yellow! Much better spell for Ireland here as they enjoy a period of sustained possession and the referee finally goes to his pocket and sends Walker-Leawere to the bin after New Zealand conceded another penalty.
Jack Regan rises to gather a line out.
Ireland have just taken the sting out of that New Zealand onslaught as both sides continue to make changes,. Connolly, Duggan and Stafford are all on for Ireland.
Yellow! New Zealand continue to infringe at the breakdown and they’re down to 13 as Caird heads to the bin. Ireland are hammering away at the line but to no reward.
TRY! Ireland 3-50 New Zealand (Clark)
And that’s the hat-trick for Clark. Ireland are far too narrow and New Zealand move it wide quickly through the hands and in the end it could have been any of three All Black players to finish that off.
Munster’s Fineen Wycherley is on with Masterson making way. Still 18 minutes left on the clock at the AIA Arena.
New Zealand appeared to be in for their ninth try after some more silky handling but it’s ruled out after the referee goes upstairs to the TMO. 13 minutes left and Ireland are on their last legs.
TRY! Ireland 3-57 New Zealand (McKay)
It didn’t take long for the All Blacks to go over for their ninth try as replacement McKay does the honours.
Yellow! Ireland are now down to 14 as Gavin Coombes is sent to the bin.
TRY! Ireland 3-62 New Zealand (Falcon)
Falcon shows all his strength by running over Jack Stafford and there’s no stopping him from five yards out. The final whistle can’t come quickly enough for Ireland now.
TRY! Ireland 3-69 New Zealand (Jordan)
Ireland are out on their feet and there are gaps everywhere. Jordan picks a gorgeous line and gathers the offload to complete his hat-trick.
Full time! Ireland 3-69 New Zealand
A difficult day for Ireland as they conceded eleven tries but at the same time you have to admire New Zealand and the outstanding quality of their squad from 1 to 23. They advance to the semi-finals in style while Ireland will look to pick themselves for their placing game next week.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon.
The42 Rugby Show / SoundCloud
