Ireland 13 New Zealand 23 FT: Autumn Nations Series as it happened

Defeat for Andy Farrell’s team after error-strewn display against the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland's Hugo Keenan catches the ball during the Autumn international match at Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Ireland's Hugo Keenan catches the ball during the Autumn international match at Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

14 days ago

Andy Farrell: “Long story short, the best team won. We made too many errors. A desperation came in. We’ve got to be better than that, we don’t usually see that. But we have another big game next week, so we can’t stay sorry for ourselves.”

Here is Gerry Thornley’s match report:

All Blacks end Ireland’s winning streak at home with deserving victoryOpens in new window ]

That’s all from me, good night!


14 days ago

Ireland captain Caelan Doris on RTÉ: “Our discipline was definitely a big factor. We’ve had a very good 10 days away, it’s not an excuse. We just need to be better. The first half, we gave them territory, points, we felt it might swing in the second half, it was definitely a factor.”


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80 mins: A poor night for Ireland comes to an end. Ireland’s three-year winning run at home comes to an end.

Full-time: Ireland 13 New Zealand 23


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77 mins: Little kick forward by Frawley and Hansen almost magics something out of nothing but just can’t hold onto the ball, that could be that.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 23


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74 mins: A big 50-22 by James Lowe out of nowhere gets a roar from the crowd, that’s what was needed. Cane goes off with a blood injury. Ireland put on the pressure but good defence by the All Blacks, Ireland not making but ground and then the great Savea gets over the ball and penalty to New Zealand.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 23


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72 mins: Frawley with another dropped ball, yikes. Just a poor performance by Ireland, but credit to the All Blacks who have been excellent and left Ireland with few ideas.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 23


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69 mins: Try for New Zealand! Ireland have given away 12 penalties in this game, which has proven costly, as they make another mistake, Frawley drops a high ball. Great carry and offload by Jordie Barrett, they zip the ball from on side to the other, Tele’a stopped by Hansen but they recycle again and a fine try for Jordan as he scores on the wing! McKenzie pulls his conversion to keep it 10 points.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 23


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66 mins: Penalty scored by New Zealand. All Blacks put the pressure on and yet again Ireland’s discipline is poor, Henderson this time giving away the penalty for not releasing. McKenzie’s kicking has been superb and he scores another.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 18


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61 mins: Poor Tom O’Toole is on a few minutes and he is badly injured already. And Bealham comes back on and Ireland’s scrum fails, harsh call. But penalty for New Zealand. Penalty scored by New Zealand. McKenzie hits a solid kick to put the All Blacks back ahead.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 15


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57 mins: The match is very evenly poised. Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Ciarán Frawley ready to come off the bench as McKenzie lines up another long-range penalty, but he hits the post. Great kick but just misses. Frawley in at outhalf.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 12


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52 mins: Ball dropped by Crowley in midfield, one of many handling errors by both teams. 5 for Ireland, 7 for New Zealand tonight so far.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 12


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50 mins: Penalty scored by New Zealand. Great kick by McKenzie from distance as he wasn’t deterred by the ball originally falling off the tee. Back to a one-point game as Barrett readies to come back on.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 12


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47 mins: Ireland are flying it now, high intensity. One of the smallest men on the pitch Gibson-Park with a big tackle and turning over the ball, the crowd in full voice. All Blacks survive as Ireland concede a penalty.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 9


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44 mins: TRY FOR IRELAND! Ireland pile forward after the scrum, aggressive carries. Quick passing by Gibson-Park to van der Flier and he puts it down after taking up a good line. Jack Crowley scores the conversion.

Ireland 13 New Zealand 9


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41 mins: Second half begins. Jordie Barrett will return to the action as the yellow card decision is maintained. Immediately Ireland show their power by pushing Cane over his line for a five-metre scrum.

Ireland 6 New Zealand 9


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Gordon D’Arcy thinks it should be upgraded:

Here is the incident:


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40 mins: Better from Ireland, Aki bursts forward and Ireland get running at New Zealand powerfully. All Blacks concede a penalty, with what looked like a high tackle by Jordie Barrett after an offload from Aki. Barrett’s shoulder caught Ringrose’s head. Yellow card for Barrett, to be reviewed in the bunker.

Crowley scores penalty! Straight over the posts.

Half-time: Ireland 6 New Zealand 9

Not a great game, lots of mistakes on both sides, maybe the wet conditions playing a part. New Zealand have been the better team, but Barrett’s card might make a difference if Ireland come out spirited at the start of the second half. All to play for.

New Zealand's Jordie Barrett and Ireland's Hugo Keenan battle for the ball. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
New Zealand's Jordie Barrett and Ireland's Hugo Keenan battle for the ball. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

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37 mins: Penalty scored by New Zealand. A bad line-out by Ireland is stolen in the middle of the pitch. Beirne concedes a penalty to continue the error-prone display. Attacking line-out for New Zealand and they pile on the pressure. Ireland concede another penalty and an easy score for McKenzie.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 9


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34 mins: Great interplay by Ireland and quick passing earns a penalty after an illegal tackle by Cane. Crowley kicks for touch, 10 metres out. The ball goes loose, Ireland don’t protect it and chance gone.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 6


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28 mins: Penalty scored by New Zealand. Ireland penalised for a collapsing scrum, tap and go by the All Blacks, Savea to within five metres of the line. McKenzie drops the ball but back for a penalty and McKenzie scores.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 6


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26 mins: Penalty for New Zealand. Ireland done for being offside, they dig in the advantage to not concede. McKenzie rejects the posts and kicks into the corner. Aumua does not throw the ball straight and he’s penalised, let off for Ireland.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 3


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23 mins: Brilliant tackle by Gibson-Park, try saving after crisp passing from a scrum from the All Blacks with McKenzie in a dangerous position.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 3


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19 mins: Another obstruction given by the referee Nic Berry, this time on Jamison Gibson-Park. New Zealand kick into touch into a dangerous area and have a successful line-out. Aki smashes Ioane but the All Blacks keep the ball into double digit phases. Tele’a almost gets through on the wing, but van der Flier puts in a big tackle and Lowe clears. Beirne turns over the ball and danger averted for now.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 3


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13 mins: Hansen with a quick ball to Aki but leaves the ball behind him, knock on and scrum to New Zealand. Some niggle and argy bargy after Ireland win the ball from the scrum impressively. Barrett goes straight for McCarthy. Paul Mescal in the crowd enjoys that one.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 3


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10 mins: Penalty scored by New Zealand! Ratima makes significant ground after it looked like he lost the ball but regathered, found a gap and made 20 metres. Ireland scrambling then give away a penalty, crowd not too pleased with Bealham being penalised, looks slightly harsh. MacKenzie’s kick is good and it’s level.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 3


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8 mins: Penalty scored for Ireland! Mack Hansen’s run after a high ball is blocked off by Jordie Barrett. Crowley converts the penalty and Ireland take the lead.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 0


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5 mins: After the scrum, Ireland knock on after a sloppy pass, the rain lashing down and it’s a scrum to New Zealand.

Ireland 0 New Zealand 0


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2 mins: Great block down from Andrew Porter from a box kick leads to a knock on, the crowd loved that one. Early attacking scrum for Ireland.

Ireland 0 New Zealand 0


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Time for the haka and the national anthems. The haka in all its glory as rain comes down in the Aviva. Ireland inch their way forward as it concludes.


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A reminder of the teams, kick-off at 8.10pm.

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt). Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne.

NEW ZEALAND: Will Jordan; Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamaiti Williams, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea. Replacements: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard , Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia).


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Gordon D’Arcy has his say in his column this week, remembering playing the All Blacks in his day.

“In November 2005, Ireland played New Zealand in the old Lansdowne Road. It was my first time playing the All Blacks, so I was a ball of nerves and excitement.

“My opposite number on that day, Ma’a Nonu, would also bookend my career, opposing me in my last outing, a narrow loss to the Kiwis in the Aviva Stadium in 2013.”

Gordon D’Arcy: The haka needs to be answered or else it becomes one-sided pageantryOpens in new window ]


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The Caelan Doris era begins in earnest against All Blacks at the Aviva, writes Gerry Thornley, as the captain’s leadership will be based foremost on his own deeds. “Probably actions first,” Doris said, when asked about his leadership style, adding: “I think I’ve a good relationship with all of the individuals within the group.”

Caelan Doris’s era as Irish rugby captain begins in earnest against All Blacks at the AvivaOpens in new window ]

But he comes up against an almighty opponent tonight in Ardie Savea. Who will come out on top? John O’Sullivan examines the question:

Caelan Doris v Ardie Savea: Who will come out on top at the Aviva?Opens in new window ]


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Rugby’s ‘favourite grudge match’ was not always this way, writes Gerry Thornley about the Ireland-All Blacks rivalry.

It seems fitting that the latest instalment between Ireland and New Zealand has a night all to itself next Friday. Even on the official Six Nations website they are moved to ask if this is rugby’s favourite grudge match. If so, it wasn’t always thus. It was not much of a rivalry, never mind one tinged with any kind of grudge.

How could it be when one side never won in 28 attempts going back over 111 years?

Ireland v New Zealand rivalry: Rugby’s ‘favourite grudge match’ was not always this wayOpens in new window ]

Overall head-to-head: Played 37, Ireland 5 wins, 1 drawn, New Zealand 31 wins.

Last five meetings — 2023: New Zealand 28 Ireland 24 (Paris, RWC q/f); 2022: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32 (Wellington); 2022: New Zealand 12 Ireland 23 (Dunedin); 2022: New Zealand 42 Ireland 19 (Auckland); 2021: Ireland 29 New Zealand 20 (Dublin).

Betting: 2-5 Ireland, 19-1 Draw, 2-1 New Zealand. Handicap odds (New Zealand +6 pts): 10-11 Ireland, 20-1 draw, 10-11 New Zealand.


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Nathan Johns looks behind the numbers at five areas where Ireland can target the All Blacks tonight in his stats piece. Ireland discovered to their cost in the World Cup quarter-final that small margins can make all the difference when it comes to prevailing over New Zealand. Check them out here:

Behind the numbers: Five areas where Ireland can target the All BlacksOpens in new window ]


14 days ago

Fresh off the presses, here is Gerry Thornley’s Counter Ruck newsletter, where he tries to analyse what went wrong for Ireland last time they played the All Blacks and focuses on the set-piece. A big night for James Ryan is needed at the Aviva:

Gerry Thornley: Set-piece will be crucial if Ireland are to beat All BlacksOpens in new window ]

If you’re on the way home from work, or even better, on the way to the pub or a pal’s house to watch it, check out the last Counter Ruck podcasts on the New Zealand game including some great anecdotes from Gordon D’Arcy:

Are New Zealand underdogs against Ireland?

Listen | 31:11

When did the All Blacks lose their aura?

Listen | 31:25

14 days ago

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Ireland’s match against New Zealand, the first of Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series games. Ireland last met the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, suffering a 28-24 defeat, so there is a chance for revenge here, even if it’s not the level of the World Cup. Test matches against the All Blacks have been rip-roaring affairs in recent years as the rivalry has intensified, and new captain Caelan Doris leads out Ireland for the toughest of four Test games against southern hemisphere opposition. Kick-off from the Aviva Stadium is at 8.10pm. Here are the teams and the officials for tonight’s game:

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Jack Crowley (Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster); Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Conor Murray (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster).

NEW ZEALAND: Will Jordan (Crusaders); Mark Tele’a (Blues), Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Caleb Clarke (Blues); Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs); Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders), Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes), Scott Barrett (Crusaders, capt), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Wallace Sititi (Chiefs), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika).

Replacements: George Bell (Crusaders), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues), Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs), Cam Roigard (Hurricanes), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Stephen Perofeta (Blues).

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia).

Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy).

TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia).