Andrew
Ireland prevailed 23-12 in a test of high intensity to beat the All Blacks on New Zealand soil for the first time in Dunedin yesterday, taking full advantage after the hosts had lost Angus Ta’avao to a red card in the first half.
Prop Andrew Porter scored two tries and skipper Johnny Sexton added 13 points from the kicking tee as Ireland squared up the three-match series 1-1 ahead of the decider in Wellington.
New Zealand’s discipline cost them dear with two yellow cards in addition to Ta’avao’s red in the first half, and they had to be satisfied with a try from flyhalf Beauden Barrett just before halftime and a late consolation for winger Will Jordan.
Six years after their first victory over New Zealand in more than a century of trying, Ireland have now won four of the last seven encounters with the three-time world champions.
“Delighted, no team has ever done it before,” said Sexton.
“We are delighted with the win but we have a chance to win a series here, and they don’t come along too often.”
As in their 42-19 loss in Auckland recently, the Irish tore into the All Blacks from the start and scored an early try through Porter after a series of clinical raids on the home try line.
Sexton added a penalty after 14 minutes and the disciplinary problems soon started for the All Blacks when Leicester Fainga’anuku was shown a yellow card for high contact on fellow winger Mack Hansen.
Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi joined Fainga’anuku in the sin bin after 25 minutes and the All Blacks were perhaps fortunate his early tackle on Garry Ringrose did not result in a penalty try. Their luck did not last long though.
On the half-hour mark, Ta’avao, on as prop replacement for Tu’ungafasi, clattered head-first into centre Ringrose’s face and was shown a red card. — Reuters.
Online Reporter