New Zealand respond after England player calls Haka ‘ridiculous’
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Ireland suffered a first defeat in Dublin in more than three years as an impressive New Zealand powered their way to a second consecutive Autumn Nations Series win.
Andy Farrell’s side were narrowly beaten by the All Blacks in a thrilling Paris quarter-final last October, ending their hopes of breaking their tournament hoodoo, but failed to channel any lingering hurt in a sloppy, scrappy performance. Josh van der Flier’s early second half try was their lone attacking bright spot as the hosts failed to find rhythm, perhaps dealing with some rust after several months away from international action and the departure of attack coach Mike Catt.
For New Zealand, meanwhile, this was another significant step forward after struggling to close out tight games during their Rugby Championship campaign. After beating England last week, this was a controlled and calm performance led by fly half Damian McKenzie, who eschewed his usual flicks and tricks to play an expert territorial game and strike six times from the tee on his way to 18 points. Will Jordan’s beautifully-taken try widened the final margin as the All Blacks knocked off a top-ranked Ireland side.
Re-live all of the action from the Aviva Stadium in our live blog below:
Ireland vs New Zealand LIVE
Ireland 0-0 New Zealand, 7 minutes
An excellent clearance from Damian McKenzie sends Ireland back beyond halfway, from where the hosts play a phase and then go back to the air. And there’s the escorting law in action – Nic Berry blows his whistlehaving deemed Jordie Barrett to have changed his line and blocked a chasing Mack Hansen. Harsh, you’d say – Barrett didn’t change his line and Hansen rather drew attention to his presence by barging through the back of him, but this should be three points…
(Niall Carson/PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:19
Ireland 0-0 New Zealand, 5 minutes
It’s stable at the third attempt and off Ireland go, Bundee Aki carrying firmly and then Caelan Doris in the second phase. Kelleher and Bealham lurk wide on the right and combine nicely, but Aki’s pass hits the deck in the next phase off Irish hands.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:16
Ireland 0-0 New Zealand, 3 minutes
Their replacement front row went very well against England last week, but England had Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax under pressure at times. No Dan Sheehan or Tadhg Furlong for Ireland, of course, but Ronan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham are Lions contenders in their own rights.
How will the first scrum go? Down twice and a double reset.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:14
Ireland 0-0 New Zealand, 1 minute
The first Irish touch is from captain Caelan Doris, trucking up from the kick off. Into a kicking exchange, referee Nic Berry barking at the retreating players to “open up” and allow the chasers access.
Cortez Ratima looks to go to the air, but the scrum half is unprotected at the base of the breakdown. Andrew Porter gets through on to the leg and Will Jordan fumbles on the floor after the prop’s chargedown.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:13
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:12
Ireland vs New Zealand
Here we go then. A long build-up, Ireland hitting a few tackle shields to warm the shoulders and make the All Blacks wait.
Nic Berry has the whistle, Damian McKenzie the ball.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:11
Haka
Time for the haka, to be led in the absence of Codie Taylor and TJ Perenara by…Rieko Ioane. Ireland take a few paces towards the All Blacks as the bodies spread, Caelan Doris with the mildly amused look of a parent watching a primary school play – the new Irish skipper looks totally relaxed. Andrew Porter, meanwhile, has the face of a bulldog chewing wasps – the prop looks ready to rip in.
And forward Ireland come, meeting the challenge in unison! Lively. This should be mighty.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:09
Anthems
There has been a bit of criticism from Donncha O’Callaghan on Irish radio today about England’s failure to play New Zealand’s anthem properly at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham last week, so it should please the former Ireland lock that the brass band give both the All Blacks’ “God Defend New Zealand” and the home brace of anthems full welly.
The place fills fit to burst.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 20:06
Ireland vs New Zealand
Out the players come into the Dublin night, the Aviva Stadium jumping. Ahead of the anthems, President Michael D Higgins makes his way out to greet the two teams, as is custom before fixtures here.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 19:59
Ireland vs New Zealand
There is a bit of drizzle in the air, a greasy surface likely to make those high ball battles all the more important. We saw the crackdown on escorting observed impeccably by England and New Zealand last weekend – to the surprise of at least one senior England player we spoke to this week – and you’d imagine we will again see the push for a cleaner contest pay off. Can New Zealand go again just six days on from that hard-hitting encounter?
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 19:55
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