Ireland player ratings: Andy Farrell’s Ireland were blown off the park by referee Nic Berry in what was a scrappy and error-strewn display in their Autumn Nations Series opener against bitter rivals New Zealand.
The pre-match chat was about the increasingly acrimonious relation between these two teams but it was very much the All Blacks having the last laugh here.
Ireland deserved to lose this one, even if they didn’t get the rub of the green on the hallowed Aviva turf.
The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson
Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.
The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson
Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.
Here’s how we rated the Irish players:
1. Andrew Porter – 8
Porter was immense. Started the game with a superb charge down on Ratima and was after that his usual tireless self in the scrum and breakdown, showing immense strength against a powerful New Zealand front row, even if Nic Berry didn’t always reward his dominance.
2. Ronan Kelleher – 5
Back from injury, Kelleher was strangely pinged for contesting the ball in a 9th-minute ruck, an infringement that saw New Zealand get their first points of the game. Ireland’s win percentage at the lineout was also sub-par, but he wasn’t totally to blame for that.
3. Finlay Bealham – 7
Deserves a lot of credit here, as there were real fears around his scrummaging coming into this one in place of the injured Tadhg Furlong. For the most part, held his own at the setpiece and worked hard in open play. Showed grit.
4. Joe McCarthy – 8.5
Another player thrown in the deep end after his injury lay-0ff, McCarthy was relentless in defence and carried well when called upon. Got into the All Blacks gladiator style, which Paul Mescal seemed to love from his vantage point in the stand [see what we’ve done there?] Maybe his best performance in an Ireland jersey.
Actor Paul Mescal looks on during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
5. James Ryan – 6
The energy and commitment was there with the 6’8 lock leading Ireland’s tackling stats for most of the match. Played with visible intensity, but began to wilt under the huge defensive workload that was being asked of the men in green.
6. Tadhg Beirne – 5
Worked tirelessly in the trenches, bringing his usual grit and work rate to a physical contest. His trademark turnovers or game-changing moments weren’t on show here though and he ended up in the negative on that front.
7. Josh van der Flier – 8.5
Van der Flier was sharp as a tack around the fringes, tackling like a demented wolverine high on Class-A narcotics and generally making life difficult for the Kiwis. Did brilliantly to squeeze over in the 43rd minute when Ireland desperately needed it.
Ireland
New Zealand
8. Caelan Doris – 7.5
Doris carried like a 6.6-litre Duramax and added huge value in defence with some particularly pitiless tackling. Instrumental in Ireland’s physical approach, but there was only so much he could do against wave after wave of black attack.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 6.5
Showed flashes of his usual pace and creativity but was a bit loose in execution, leading to some bungled opportunities. The All Blacks got to him at times, but he stayed in the fight.
10. Jack Crowley – 4
Struggled to make an impact in the first half, remaining largely anonymous. Grew into the game slightly in the second forty but couldn’t quite find his usual rhythm or influence. Reliable with the boot, but needs to work on his stage presence and his handling.
11. James Lowe – 5.5
Tried to make things happen but wasn’t given a stage tonight by his native New Zealanders. Managed some decent clearances but the All Blacks were eating up Ireland’s kicking game. If he was judged on his 72nd-minute kick alone it would have been a 10 out of 10 performance.
Possession
66%
Possession Last 10 min
34%
12. Bundee Aki – 3
A totally off-colour performance from Aki. Opened his account with a poorly timed pass which went to the deck before inexplicably spilling a ball a few minutes later. One good run aside, the All Blacks had his number in attack, where he struggled to make a meaningful impact.
13. Garry Ringrose – 6
Reliable and composed, even if he spent most of his evening scrambling in defence, including a thunderous hit on Ireland’s arch-nemesis Rieko Ioane. Didn’t get the chance to do much on the other side of the ball. Took a nasty headshot on 39 minutes from soon-to-be Leinster teammate Jordie Barrett, which resulted in Barrett’s binning.
14. Mack Hansen – 5
Showed flashes of his creativity with ball in hand and had a couple of threatening runs. Worked hard defensively but not as involved as he’d have liked.
15. Hugo Keenan – 6.5
A calm presence at the back, Keenan was safe under the high ball and covered the ground well. Consistently there to support his teammates but like most of his comrades didn’t get a look in offensively.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Rob Herring – 5
Herring brought fresh energy and physicality but couldn’t make a significant impact.
17. Cian Healy – 6
Scrummaged well when introduced. Didn’t get many chances to make a mark in open play.
18. Tom O’Toole – NA
Came on but HIA’ed after just two minutes.
19. Iain Henderson – 1
A 62nd-minute knock-on from Henderson was not the type of impact Ireland were looking for from the Ulsterman, nor was a penalty conceded that extended New Zealand’s lead minutes later. A dire cameo.
20. Peter O’Mahony – 6
Added valuable experience and grit in the closing stages, but Ireland were more or less cooked at that stage.
21. Conor Murray – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
22. Ciaran Frawley – 6
Ireland seemed to wake from their slumber when Frawley came on, at least with ball-in-hand. One spill in particular aside, he was an improvement on Crowley.
23. Jamie Osborne – 5
Came on late and saw limited action.
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