LAST UPDATE | 16 Jul 2022
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the third and final Test of Ireland’s summer tour of New Zealand. With the All Blacks winning the first Test before Ireland’s victory in Hamilton last weekend, it’s all on the line in Wellington today as Andy Farrell’s squad look to seal an historic series win.
Ciarán Kennedy here to bring you all the action as it happens. Kick-off at the Sky Stadium is at 8.05am Irish time.
First up, there’s been some big news from the All Blacks camp this morning as Scott Barrett has been forced to withdraw from the game with a knee injury. Garry Doyle is our man in Wellington and you can read his latest update here.
Here’s the updated All Blacks team. Barrett is replaced by Akira Ioane and Tupou Vaa’i comes onto the bench. There’s one further change on the bench as Aidan Ross, the prop, is replaced by Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Updated team sheet 💥
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 16, 2022
➡️ Akira Ioane in for Scott Barrett
➡️ Karl Tuinukuafe in for Aidan Ross
➡️ Tupou Vaa’i comes on to the bench pic.twitter.com/4MaBPwikTV
No late changes for Ireland.
Confirmed: Your Ireland team for tonight! 🤝#TeamOfUs | #NZvIRE pic.twitter.com/khzc3ESnoU
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 16, 2022
The teams are just making their way out to the pitch. Less than 10 minutes to kick-off now, let us know your predictions in the comment section.
KICK-OFF
3mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 0
Another good start by Ireland at the Cake Tin as the visitors make an early entry into the New Zealand 22, working the ball down the field and showing good handling via a series of short passes, before the move breaks down.
James Ryan then claims a lineout as Ireland apply all the early pressure, and win a penalty. Sexton kicks to the corner and Ireland go chasing the opening try of the game.
TRY – New Zealand 0 Ireland 5 (van der Flier)
6mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 5
And there it is! Once again, Ireland make a flying start against the All Blacks. After enjoying all the early territory, Ireland go the corner, win their own ball at the lineout and their maul proves too powerful for the hosts, with Josh van der Flier the man who dots down. It’s his eighth try for Ireland. Johnny Sexton drags the conversion wide, but that’s a brilliant start by Andy Farrell’s side.
12mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 5
New Zealand have a chance to respond after Bundee Aki is pinged at the breakdown, but Jordie Barrett is off target from the resulting penalty.
Here’s Josh van der Flier’s early try. Really good maul work by Ireland.
"𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐰! 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬!" 🤯🍀
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 16, 2022
Ireland take an early lead against New Zealand with a try from Van der Flier. #NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/LuRtE9g3lg
16mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 5
The All Blacks enjoying most of the ball at the moment but it’s not happening for them just yet. Jordie Barrett kicks in behind but Hugo Keenan does well to clear the ball under pressure.
With the next attack, Keenan is beaten in the air by Will Jordan but Ireland scramble to clear the danger again via James Lowe’s big left boot.
19mins: New Zealand 0 Ireland 5
James Lowe produces a brilliant kick from a tight situation on the left wing. On first look, it looks like a 50:22 but the lineout is awarded to New Zealand.
Ireland then win a scrum thanks to some really good work from Peter O’Mahony, who needs a bit of treatment on the pitch afterwards. Ireland’s pack have the upper hand here at the moment.
PENALTY – New Zealand 3 (J Barrett) Ireland 5
23mins: New Zealand 3 Ireland 5
A 50:22 from David Havili brings New Zealand into the Ireland 22. Sexton is then pinged for not rolling away and Jordie Barrett kicks New Zealand’s first points of the day.
26mins: New Zealand 3 Ireland 5
A big moment as Van der Fliers wins a turnover with New Zealand deep in the Ireland half.
TRY – New Zealand 3 Ireland 12 (Keenan)
20mins: New Zealand 3 Ireland 12
Just super, super stuff from Ireland, as they move the ball well via a series of short, sharp passes before James Lowe plays in Hugo Keenan on the left wing, the fullback running in Ireland’s second try of the game. It all started with that brilliant turnover from Van der Flier at the other end of the pitch.
Sexton nails the conversion and things are going very, very well for Ireland in Wellington.
PENALTY – New Zealand 3 Ireland 15 (Sexton)
33mins: New Zealand 3 Ireland 15
Sexton adds another three points with a long-range penalty. New Zealand really need to sort their discipline out.
Ireland are humming now and Robbie Henshaw is making some big plays in defence.
Here’s Ireland’s second try. A really well-worked team move finished by Hugo Keenan.
What a start for Ireland as they score their second try of the game against New Zealand! Hugo Keenan flies over the line 🤯☘️ pic.twitter.com/d6bYUItYga
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 16, 2022
Sexton’s conversion for that Keenan score was brilliant, and then he followed it up with this. Two excellent kicks from the Ireland captain in quick succession.
Johnny Sexton goes from distance and lands an 𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐒 kick!
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 16, 2022
🗣️"He is the TALISMAN!" 👏 pic.twitter.com/ArxqCuokZ7
TRY – New Zealand 3 Ireland 22 (Henshaw)
39mins: New Zealand 3 Ireland 22
It just keeps better for Ireland. Another try, and it’s another excellent team move, finished this time by Robbie Henshaw. Ireland’s passing has just been superb and it’s carving the All Blacks up time and time again.
Sexton converts and Ireland lead by 19 in Wellington.
HALF-TIME
James Lowe brings the first half to a close, and New Zealand will be very happy to get back into the dressing rooms. They’ve been ripped apart by Ireland.
The visitors made a brilliant start and just built on that as the half wore on, scoring three tries courtesy of Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw. Their attacking play has been brilliant and they’ve also looked really assured in defence, but the All Blacks will be bitterly disappointed with their first half performance.
A massive 40 minutes coming up in Wellington.
Try number three for your enjoyment.
This is incredible! 😳
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 16, 2022
Ireland run rampant & score another try! This time Robbie Henshaw dives over the line #NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/AlFgW13nzv
Trying not to get too carried away here, but…
In 119 years of test rugby, 19 points is the biggest first-half deficit the @AllBlacks have ever conceded. Previously they trailed France 6-24 in Paris last November and lost 25-40.
— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) July 16, 2022
The second half is underway in Wellington. No changes for either side at the break.
TRY – New Zealand 10 (Savea) Ireland 22
45mins: New Zealand 10 Ireland 22
The All Blacks needed a response and it’s no surprise to see them come out with real intent at the start of the second half. They go in search of an early try, working their way through over 20 phases in the Ireland 22, but Ireland’s defence is excellent.
Sevu Reece almost wiggles his way through but Van der Flier makes a massive tackle. New Zealand go again and Ardie Savea powers over. After a quick TMO review Wayne Barnes awards the try, Jordie Barrett converts and it’s game on in Wellington.
49mins: New Zealand 10 Ireland 22
Johnny Sexton needing some treatment on the pitch. It looks like he’ll be able to continue for now.
YELLOW CARD – Andrew Porter
51mins: New Zealand 10 Ireland 22
Andrew Porter gets a yellow card after a head-on-head collision with Brodie Rettalick. The home crowd aren’t impressed. They think it should be red, and they might be right. Ireland down to 14 for the next 10 minutes.
TRY – New Zealand 17 (Ioane) Ireland 22
53mins: New Zealand 17 Ireland 22
The All Blacks are right back in this game, Akira Ioane showing good footwork to dance in New Zealand’s second try. The score is converted and Ireland’s lead is cut to five points. With Porter off, Cian Healy has come in for Van der Flier, and Bundee Aki is pulling his weight in the Ireland scrum. Retallick has also failed his HIA so won’t be coming back in.
PENALTY – New Zealand 17 Ireland 25 (Sexton)
57mins: New Zealand 17 Ireland 25
A very welcome three points for Ireland as Johnny Sexton kicks a conversion to push their lead back out to eight points. Ireland still down to 14 men for the next three minutes.
As Tadhg Beirne wins a massive penalty for Ireland, here’s the second New Zealand try.
New Zealand are RIGHT BACK IN IT! 🇳🇿💪
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 16, 2022
Akira Ioane scores his first try for his country 👏 pic.twitter.com/qorpBiXKBr
60mins: New Zealand 17 Ireland 25
Johnny Sexton lines up a long range penalty, but his kick strikes the crossbar and bounces back into play. The game is really starting to open up now.
TRY – New Zealand (Jordan) 22 Ireland 25
63mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 25
The home side strike again. Ardie Savea plays in Will Jordan, and the winger turns on the burners to race in from distance. Jordie Barrett’s conversion sails narrowly wide, and Ireland’s lead is cut to three points. A massive 20 minutes ahead.
TRY – New Zealand 22 Ireland 32 (Herring)
67mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
What a game this is. After finding themselves under real pressure, Ireland strike back, and it’s a brilliant piece of play from substitute Rob Herring, who backs himself to peel off the maul early and squeeze through. Sexton’s conversion puts Ireland 10 points up with 15 minutes left to play.
Here’s Herring’s try. Jack Conan has come on for Peter O’Mahony, and Keith Earls is in for Bundee Aki.
"That is 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄!"
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 16, 2022
A crucial try for Ireland as Rob Herring extends their lead! #NZvIRE pic.twitter.com/NtOYh97wae
70mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
It’s just end to end now. The All Blacks go close again but Will Jordan is brought down just before the line. Healy and Bealham are in for Furlong and Porter, who both look spent as they leave the pitch.
71mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
Another massive moment from Tadhg Beirne as he wins a penalty and relieves some of the pressure on his team. Conor Murray is on for Jamison Gibson-Park.
71mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
And after that good work from Beirne, a crooked lineout throw hands possession back to New Zealand.
72mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
No fear, Tadhg Beirne wins the ball back again. He’s having a huge game.
76mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
My god, Tadhg Beirne again. He steals the ball back with New Zealand inching closer and closer to the Ireland line. He’s keeping Ireland in this almost single-handedly now.
80mins: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32
Ioane knocks the ball on and that should be that!
FULL-TIME
They’ve done it. What a game, what a win, what a team. Sensational stuff in Wellington and some incredible scenes on the pitch now. Peter O’Mahony was in tears for the last minute, and that shows just what it means to this group of players.
A historic win and a milestone day for Irish Rugby.
That’s it from me here, we’ll have Garry Doyle’s match report on site shortly, as well as all the reaction from Wellington.
Thanks for joining our live coverage this morning and enjoy the rest of what is shaping up to be a brilliant weekend.
