Sport

Heartbreak for the hosts as New Zealand seal their perfect year 

 

SINÉAD HARRINGTON at the Aviva Stadium

IRELAND (22) 22 Tries: Murray, Best, R Kearney Cons: Sexton 2 Pen: Sexton

NEW ZEALAND (7) 24 Tries: Savea, B Franks, Crotty Cons: Cruden 3 Pen: Cruden

Ireland remain without a win over New Zealand as a converted injury-time try for the All Blacks condemned Ireland to a heartbreaking defeat in Dublin. The Irish built up a decent lead in the first 40 minutes but needed to score in the second half and this ultimately cost Ireland the game.

In the final minute of the game Ireland led 22-17. But in the last play of the game, Ryan Crotty’s try, converted at the second attempt by Aaron Cruden, saw the world champion’s end their season with a perfect 14 victories.

Ireland played an amazing first half with tries from Conor Murray, Rory Best and Rob Kearney helping Ireland lead 19-0 before Julian Savea’s reply. Ben Franks’s score then cut further into Ireland’s lead before the late drama. It was an agonising conclusion for the Irish, who were aiming for their first ever win over the All Blacks. In the last 109 years, New Zealand has won 26 of their 27 encounters, with Ireland managing to secure one draw at Lansdowne Road in 1973.

While the final outcome brought total heartbreak for the hosts, the world champions underlined their status as the best team in the world as they became the first side to win every Test in a calendar year. Ireland went into the game as rank outsiders after a dismal display last weekend leaking four tries in a 32-15 defeat to Australia. “It was clearly a frustration last week against Australia, it definitely didn’t go according to plan’’, said assistant coach Les Kiss. Joe Schmidt’s side were a totally different team from a week ago as they tore into the All Blacks in the opening stages with each one of the home players giving their all.

An extremely strong opening from the Irish squad resulted in Conor Murray scoring a try in the fourth-minute. This immediately gave the Irish team momentum and, incredibly, by the 10th minute the score was 14-0 to Ireland. Ireland built on this lead with another try. Even though Sexton missed the conversion, Ireland were 19-0 ahead in front of an amazed Aviva Stadium audience.

New Zealand responded to this in the 26th minute as Savea gathered a score with the fly-half converting the two extra points. But undaunted, the Irish produced more pressure with Sexton’s penalty extending Ireland’s lead to 22-7 in the 33rd minute, a lead they maintained until the interval.

In the opening 10 minutes after the restart Ireland’s defence was tested as New Zealand were working their way into the game. A Cruden penalty cut Ireland’s lead to 12 points in the 52nd minute.

The home team suffered a blow as the inspirational O’Driscoll, much to his annoyance, was forced off because of concussion and Luke Fitzgerald brought on.

As the match entered the final quarter, New Zealand were beginning to dominate possession and suddenly, there was only five points in it and the match winning opportunity was handed to Sexton. He had the chance to make it a two-score game and put Ireland within touching distance of history but sadly for Ireland it sailed just wide of the post.

Denis Hickie, a former Ireland wing, maintained that “I don’t know if the guys can get over this – it’s hard to articulate the level of disappointment they will feel. They had the chance to beat the All Blacks and they didn’t take it. All credit must go to the All Blacks – a lesser team would have wilted under pressure. Ireland’s Jonny Sexton missed a penalty kick that he will never get over.”

With 90 seconds left, Ireland had control again. The Irish appeared set to run down the clock in the closing seconds of normal time; however a relentless assault into the Irish 22 was finished off by Crotty to diving over the line in the left corner with 81 minutes and 24 seconds on the clock.

The try levelled the two teams, the entire stadium held their breath waiting for Cruden’s difficult conversion to follow. His initial attempt went wide but the Irish players had charged off their line too early, giving the fly-half a second chance which he slotted straight between the posts. Up until those last moments we were witnessing a historic, magical moment in Irish sport.

Sir Clive Woodward, a former England coach, commented on yesterday’s match “I think it was important for world rugby because this is a very good New Zealand team but it’s not the best New Zealand team of all time, and they’re certainly beatable. Yes, they’ve won every game this year, but I just feel Ireland showed the world you can beat this team. Even with Ireland losing today, it’s great for world rugby and for the World Cup in a couple of years’ time.”

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