New Zealand 26; Ireland 13
New Zealand Tries: Savea, Williams, Sititi, Roigard Cons : Beauden Barrett (3)
Ireland Tries: Furlong Cons: Crowley Pens: Crowley (2) Red card: Beirne
This was a much vaunted fixture where in truth anti-climax set in within four minutes following the sending off of Lions man of the series Tadhg Beirne at Soldiers Field, Chicago, on Saturday afternoon.
The Munster forward saw yellow initially for making shoulder contact with Beauden Barrett’s head but that was upgraded to red by review officer Dan Jones which meant that Beirne could take no further part in proceeding although Ireland were allowed to bring on sub Iain Henderson in his place after a 20-minute sin-bin had been observed.
And while Ireland led through the first half, thanks to Jack Crowley kicking and a try by Tadgh Furlong, something went out of the game with the sending off that meant it failed to capture the imagination either of the packed stadium or the huge television audience world-wide.
By game’s end, New Zealand had avenged their first-ever reverse to Ireland from 2016 but had done so by double scores following their four tries to one performance.
Afterward Barrett accepted that the game had lost its way with the sending off which he described as “harsh” on the second rower.
Ireland’s Tommy O’Brien in action with Cam Roigard of New Zealand during the Rematch, Solider Field, Chicago. [Inpho/Gary Carr]
Said the Kiwi of Irish extraction: “I spoke to Tadhg after the game and I was gutted for him. It was one of those unfortunate parts of the game. I didn't expect the ball. He had no option. He didn't intentionally put a shoulder on me. I can't hide from the fact that I copped a shoulder to somewhere up there (his head). That's what happened.
“But I'll support him in terms of mitigating whatever happens next. I don't feel there's any intention there, it’s just unfortunate, he may have only deserved a yellow,” he told RTE.
As an aside when asked if he would ever consider the option of following his brother Jordie to play in Ireland, Beauden said, “I actually had a promo at Adidas yesterday and 90 percent were Irish fans who came along and I reckon every single person asked me that question. Mostly Leinster fans, but the occasional Munster fan just to make things even. It's very tempting because I love the Irish and I have spent time there in the past. But I am 34 there now so playing in Ireland might be a tough sell to my wife and family. But never say never.”
The fear going into this game was that Ireland were undercooked and the All Blacks were in top form having just come off a tough championship series. Ultimately while Ireland started the better, they ran out of gas and had little to offer over the last 15 minutes when New Zealand controlled the play.
A good point to take away is how well the losers managed their game-plan when down a man for 20 minutes
Indeed they went 10-0 up through Furlong’s try and Crowley’s initially penalty and conversion before Ardie Savea got in easily for the Kiwis’ first try.
Even though Ireland still led coming up to the hour mark, there was an inevitability about the outcome which became real when Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi and Cam Roigard all got in for touchdown in a 15-minute spell.
Head Coach Andy Farrell will have the rest of the November series to sort out problems in his side’s play which were very evident on Saturday. Our discipline has gone to pot and we gave away 11 penalties in this 80 minutes -- twice what we would normally do a few seasons back. Similarly, Paul O’Connell will be unhappy that our lineout has gone into malfunction mode as we lost six as part of 15 turnovers - something the men in green prided themselves in keeping to low numbers not too long ago.
Ireland return to Dublin to face Japan, Australia and South Africa in the next three weeks, after which we should find out whether this current bunch needs to be replaced or whether they have just gone flat after a long season of Six Nations, provincial demands and in Leinster’s case, a huge contingent on the Lions summer tour to Australia.
As ever Farrell was the pragmatist after the disappointing loss.
“The swing there in the second half, with all the pressure we had we played some decent rugby and pressure rugby, but we couldn't convert it into points. Before we know it, we turn around and the ball is in behind us, a penalty into the corner, it’s small margins, which is top-line rugby and backed up a few errors on the back of that and the game went away from us,” Faz told Virgin Media afterwards.
“Yeah, there’s a lot in that to digest for us, this autumn is pretty important so we need to learn quickly and dust ourselves down and step into next week.”
He went on: “I don’t think [fitness] was the issue. I said about mental sharpness, that was more of it. The fitness was pretty good. The subs came on and did a decent job there anyway, that wasn’t a problem. You switch off for a second and give them access, that’s what they do to you. We have to [improve], these next couple of games are absolutely huge for us, points for the world rankings are concerned etc.
“So we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves after tonight and get back on the horse against Japan next week.”
Ireland: J Osborne; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J Ryan, T Beirne; R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan Replacements: R Kelleher (Sheehan 61), P McCarthy (Porter 67), F Bealham (Furlong 60), I Henderson (22 for Beirne 20m RC), C Doris (Ryan HIA 32 to h/t, Conan 51), C Casey (Gibson-Park 67), S Prendergast (Crowley 67), B Aki (McCloskey 57).
