Andy Farrell’s squad of 2022 has accomplished something that no other green team has accomplished in the 46 years since Ireland rugby first set foot in New Zealand in 1976 – an away victory. Six years after finally defeating New Zealand after more than a century of trying, Ireland has won four of their last seven matches against the three-time world champions.
In addition to victories in Chicago and Dublin, this is the first victory by a northern hemisphere team in Dunedin since France’s 27-22 triumph in 2009.
Farrell stated, “I’m so happy for the guys because they’re so desperate to inspire people back home.” “They continue to make appearances and do extraordinary things for Irish rugby and the Irish people.
“I’m so happy that they were able to cross the finish line because it had a little bit of everything, didn’t it? It was a valiant effort. We were just as courageous as the week before.”
Ah, last week. After the crushing loss at Eden Park, the Ireland head coach chirped from the sidelines, as usual, suggesting personnel changes. These voices have not read Wiganer’s selection consistency script since his appointment. “I ignore those requesting changes; it is irrelevant; I do what is best for the team.”
Mack Hansen replaced Keith Earls as the only change, and the team repaid him with a performance of greater physicality and penetration against an All-Black team reeling from the Irish efforts led by Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne and their ill-discipline.
Andrew Porter, an unlikely source, scored two tries early in each half, in the third and 48th minutes, allowing the visitors to first take the lead and then extend it. After two yellow cards and a Beauden Barrett try in the 39th minute, New Zealand appeared to be gaining an improbable foothold.
The second try came at the ideal time. The first was a dangerous shoulder-led charge down by Leicester’s Fainga’anuku on Hansen, and the second was a cheeky pullback by Ofa Tu’ungafasi on Garry Ringrose as he was about to receive the ball with the line begging. It ought to have been a penalty try. Jaco Peyper, the referee, disagreed.
Less debatable was the red card shown on 30 minutes to Tu’ungafasi’s replacement, Angus Ta’avao, for a reckless and clean head-on-head tackle, again on Ringrose, which eliminated him from the match. This loss of New Zealand personnel due to Peyper’s jack-in-the-box card pocket was compounded by the fact that the head coach, Ian Foster, removed his captain, Ardie Savea, from the game amid a plethora of cards on the half-hour, presumably believing he would be permitted to return. He did not.
A weaker team than the All Blacks would have conceded more during the first-half onslaught; instead, they withstood while denying the tourists any further points after a Johnny Sexton penalty in the tenth minute, before Barrett struck that psychological and scoreboard blow just before the break.
After Porter’s early second-half try calmed frantic nerves, Sexton added two more penalties to secure the victory. They were in a favorable position that neither a yellow card for James Ryan nor a late try by Will Jordan could shake. Some will point to the All Blacks’ depleted roster as a reason for their loss, but Ireland appeared to be the victor from the opening whistle.
