LAST UPDATE | 9 Jul 2022
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the second Test of Ireland’s tour of New Zealand, with Andy Farrell’s squad in Dunedin today for round two against the All Blacks.
It was a disappointing start to the series in Auckland last weekend as Ireland conceded six tries on their way to a 42-19 defeat. Can they produce a better performance today and keep the series alive? We’ll find out over the next few hours.
Ciarán Kennedy here to guide you through the action this morning, while Garry Doyle is our man in Dunedin. Kick-off is at 8.05am Irish time, so stick the kettle on and get settled in for what will hopefully be a cracking start to another massive weekend of rugby.
Already, even in week two of the tour, everything is on the line.
The remarkable thing is how confident they all are, from the coaching staff to the players. Bear in mind 23 points separated Ireland and the All Blacks last week; bear in mind the Irish set-piece was in huge difficulty, that the Kiwi finishing was ruthless, that Ireland coughed up more tries in 80 minutes than they did in this year’s Six Nations.
Here’s a reminder of how the teams line up today, starting with the visitors.
Despite defeat in Auckland, Andy Farrell has opted for just one change to his starting XV as Mack Hansen recovers from Covid to replace Keith Earls. However, the big talking point has of course been the decision to start Johnny Sexton, after the Ireland captain was removed from play last week for a HIA.
📋 Confirmed: Our line up to face the @AllBlacks! 💪#TeamOfUs | #NZvIRE
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 9, 2022
And here’s how the hosts line up. With the influential Sam Whitelock missing out due to concussion, Scott Barrett is relocated to the second row and Dalton Papalii comes in to start at blindside flanker.
Lineup for game two 🤝#NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/VWbbJKoYpg
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 6, 2022
Just 20 minutes until kick-off in Dunedin. Predictions?
The teams are out on the pitch. Anthem time.
KICK-OFF
TRY – New Zealand 0 Ireland 7 (Porter)
3mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 7
Wow. How about that for a start?
Ireland put good pressure on the first New Zealand lineout of the day and are soon on the attack, getting up the pitch via a good break from Tadhg Beirne. Ireland then go through a few phases with Mack Hansen heavily involved, before working the ball back infield, where Andrew Porter is on hand to take a short pass from Johnny Sexton and power over.
Sexton coverts and for the second week running, Ireland land the first blow against the All Blacks.
9mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 7
The first scrum of the day, as Ireland’s 895kg pack goes up against 919kg of All Black bulk. New Zealand then make their first advances into the Ireland half, and hold onto the ball well before winning a penalty and kicking for the corner.
With New Zealand in the Ireland 22 for the first time, James Ryan then produces a big moment to steal the lineout. A good start here from the visitors.
11mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 7
A frustrating moment for Robbie Henshaw as the Leinster centre knocks a pass forward. Peter O’Mahony now receiving some early treatment on the pitch, but looks fine to continue.
Here’s Andrew Porter’s early try.
Over goes Andrew Porter! 🏉
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
Ireland score an early try for the second week in a row to take an early lead in Dunedin. 🇮🇪#NZvsIRE pic.twitter.com/5GF6H3ytKh
PENALTY – New Zealand 0 Ireland 10 (Sexton)
15mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
Ireland add to their lead as Johnny Sexton slots a penalty. It came from a big moment from Caelan Doris, who did really well to force the penalty. This is a really promising start from the visitors, who are looking sharp in the opening minutes.
Yellow card – Leicester Fainga’anuku
18mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
The All Blacks are down to 14 men for the next 10 minutes as Leicester Fainga’anuku is sent to the bin.
Mack Hansen was caught late by Fainga’anuku on the sideline and stayed down. The All Black winger jumped into Hansen as the Connacht man chipped the ball forward, and was very late and high with the contact. Hansen leaves the collision with a cut under his left eye, as Fainga’anuku is shown a yellow card. He’s very lucky it wasn’t red.
Yellow card – Ofa Tu’ungafasi
25mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
Another big decision for Jaco Peyper as Ofa Tu’ungafasi tackles Garry Ringrose without the ball, just as Johnny Sexton was about to play his Leinster teammate in. The New Zealand prop is shown yellow and the hosts are now down to 13 men. Somehow, Peyper finds a way to not award a penalty try.
Ireland really need to make their advantage count now.
30mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
Ireland with 74% of the possession in the last 10 minutes, but yet to make their numerical advantage count. Garry Ringrose has just been floored by Angus Ta’avao, and a nasty clash of heads leaves both men down on the turf.
RED CARD – Angus Ta’avao
31mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
Ta’avao sees red and can have no complaints. High and reckless. Bundee Aki has come in for Ringrose, who took a really heavy blow to the head in that tackle.
33mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
New Zealand’s discipline is becoming a problem for the home side now. They were briefly down to 12 as we go to uncontested scrums. Ireland having problems of their own as their execution is letting them down, James Lowe the latest to spill the ball in a good position.
All Blacks down to 12 players. pic.twitter.com/UIJx6rg6iM
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) July 9, 2022
35mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
This has been been a messy, messy half of rugby. There is currently confusion around the amount of players on the pitch as New Zealand end up with 15 players despite that earlier red card. It eventually gets sorted as Ardie Savea makes way.
Yellow card – James Ryan
39mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 10
Now Ireland lose a man as Ryan is sent to the bin. The All Blacks currently searching for a try just before half time.
TRY – New Zealand 7 Ireland 10 (Barrett)
40mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 10
That had been coming. It’s a messy try to concede from Ireland’s perspective, Beauden Barrett managing to kick a loose ball forward and dot down under the posts. Barrett adds the extras as the home side end the opening half on a high.
HALF-TIME
Where do you even start with that? A chaotic, messy opening 40 minutes in Dunedin. Ireland started really well with that early Andrew Porter try but will be disappointed not to have more than 10 points on the board. They’ve had all the possession and failed to capitalise on some good opportunities.
The All Blacks’ discipline has been shocking and we could spent a long time going through some of Jaco Peyper’s decisions, but even with 14 men, they remain right in this contest thanks to Beauden Barrett’s converted try on the stroke of half-time. Time to top up the coffee ahead of the second half.
How many of you are backing Ireland to see this out?
Beauden Barrett claws a try back for the All Blacks as they head into half time 🏉
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
What a half of rugby! 😱#NZvsIRE pic.twitter.com/AfA8OmwDkX
The second half is underway in Dunedin. No changes at half time, but Aki remains on in place of Ringrose.
44mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 10
Brodie Retallick has left the action after taking a knock to the head. Ireland still down to 14 for the next four minutes following James Ryan’s yellow card just before half-time.
TRY – New Zealand 7 New Zealand 17 (Porter)
49mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 17
Ireland finally get that second try, and it’s Porter’s second of the day. The opportunity opened up after Sexton played in Aki, who ran a good line to break forward down the right. Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne both chipped in with big carries before Ireland worked the ball into a more central position, with Porter then showing good power to get in under the posts. Sexton converts and Ireland lead the All Blacks by 1o points.
As all that happens, James Ryan comes back in and Ireland are back to 15 men, while Will Jordan has come on for New Zealand. A massive 30 minutes ahead.
Here’s Porter’s second try. Really good play from Ireland.
𝓘𝓡𝓔𝓛𝓐𝓝𝓓 𝓢𝓣𝓡𝓘𝓚𝓔 𝓑𝓐𝓒𝓚 🇮🇪
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
The action is non-stop in Dunedin as Andrew Porter goes over the try line once again 🏉 pic.twitter.com/0FluQYUD7R
PENALTY – New Zealand 7 Ireland 20 (Sexton)
58mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 20
Sexton slots his second penalty of the day and Ireland now lead by 13. The Ireland captain has looked sharp today and a few Ireland players are really stepping up now, with Tadhg Beirne particularly influential since half time.
61mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 20
Try-saving tackle from Caelan Doris as the Leinster man gets the ankle-tap on Jordie Barrett. Aaron Smith is off for New Zealand as Folau Fakatava comes in for his Test debut.
64mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 20
A couple of changes for Ireland. Jack Conan and Rob Herring come in for Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan.
65mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 20
And a couple more. Cian Healy and Finlay Bealham the next men in as Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong head to the bench.
Peter O’Mahony has just won a ball and sent a lovely kick deep into the New Zealand half, but Ireland lose the resulting lineout.
PENALTY – New Zealand 7 Ireland 23 (Sexton)
69mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 23
Ireland push out their advantage again as Johnny Sexton splits the posts. Ireland now a little over 10 minutes away from a historic result in New Zealand. Conor Murray has come in for Jamison Gibson-Park to see out the game.
74mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 23
A short break in play as Sexton slips and needs a bit of attention. He’s going to make way for Joey Carbery. New Zealand camped deep in the Ireland half now.
75mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 23
Big game player Peter O’Mahony produces another big moment to hold the ball up over the line. New Zealand had the advantage and go again, get over the line again, but a combination of Beirne and Aki hold the ball up this time.
76mins: New Zealand 7 Ireland 23
Another TMO check, but once again Ireland manage to hold the ball up and Ireland get the goal line drop-out. This has been a massive defensive effort from Ireland.
TRY – New Zealand 12 (Jordan) Ireland 23
78mins: New Zealand 12 Ireland 23
A lifeline for New Zealand as Will Jordan gets over in the corner. They can’t take full advantage however as the conversion from the sideline drifts just wide.
FULL-TIME
Ireland have done it. History for Andy Farrell’s squad as they become the first Ireland team to win a Test game in New Zealand. A massive, massive result in Dunedin.
What a match. Ireland win the second Test to keep the series alive ahead of the third and final Test next weekend thanks to two Andrew Porter tries, some massive individual performances and a huge defensive effort.
Our man in New Zealand Garry Doyle will have all the reaction from Dunedin on site shortly, and we’ll also have a post-match reaction podcast with Garry a little later today.
Thanks for joining our live coverage this morning, and enjoy the rest of weekend’s rugby.
